Diaspora Forum

Newsletter 17

 Learning from Indian experience

The role of the Diaspora in the development of a nation is immense.  They can take part in the much needed technology transfer that is crucial to cope with the development demand besides being source of remittance. 

India could be cited among the nations which have abundantly benefited from its Diaspora. 

 In this edition, we present an interview with his Excellency Ambassador Gurjit Singh, ambassador of India to Ethiopia  and

Djibouti and Representative of India to the African Union about his country's  experience   in   mobilizing its Diaspora for the socio-economic development of India.   

 Newsletter- How would you describe India's experience in mobilizing its Diaspora for the country's socio-economic and political development? 

Ambassador Singh- It has been a policy of my government to engage with the Diaspora of India so that their links with India are enhanced. They become useful to all developmental processes. We have tried to convert what was called the 'brain drain ' in to the 'brain gain ' so that we are not worse today because of Indians going abroad  to  work  or to participate in the development of other countries. It was all part of an effort by India's government to win the help of overseas Indians in  contributing  to the  economic  future  of the nation.  India wants to retain their links and use their talent, their love and their resources to contribute to its development. That is why we have declared 9th of January a 'Diaspora' day. This was declared about four years ago. That day was chosen because that was the day Mahatma Gandhi got back to India from South Africa. He was the first among the Diaspora to return to his country. Therefore we are using that as s starting point. 

Newsletter- Would you tell us the economic benefits India has secured from its Diaspora? 

Ambassador Singh- I am very happy to say that economically speaking we have registered good achievements.  I read a recent article which says that India today secures the highest remittances from the Diaspora than any country, about 17.5 billion dollar annually. This shows, the economic development of India has given an opportunity for the Indian Diaspora to invest in that development. A confidence has been created. This change has happened in the last ten years. 

Similarly, we have now set up a ministry for Overseas Indians about two years ago.  We are now looking at how we can engage the Diaspora closely, better than before.

 Further, two initiatives have been taken. We have started a process of overseas Indians' citizenship for the Diaspora who hold foreign citizenship. So a scheme, that goes by the name 'The Overseas Citizenship of India' has been launched.   The second one is that we are now working on a bill in parliament to give voting rights to overseas Indian citizens.  Besides the economic and cultural engagement, we also have a political engagement with Indian Diaspora. 

Newsletter- what kind of incentives and alternatives do you make available to the Indian Diaspora to encourage them engage in development of their country? 

Ambassador Singh- What we are trying to do is that on the economic aspect we are giving them a right to invest in areas not open to foreigners. At the same time domestically we are opening up all opportunities whether it is in education or in the economy which are open to Indian citizens. Therefore, these people feel they are benefiting. But I can tell you that it is the economic opportunity which actually brings people back.  In the old days Indians  went abroad in search of better economic prospects; today they come back to have better economic prospects.     

Newsletter- What are the platforms you use to exchange views with the Diaspora? 

Ambassador Singh- We have frequent consultations with the Diaspora. We seize the opportunity during visits by Indian leaders overseas. The second is through our Indian embassies in areas where we have a number of Diaspora. And the third is on the Diaspora day. On this occasion we have a big function. We honour eminent Diaspora people. And there is an exchange of views between India and its Diaspora and government policy makers.