Look within, not outside: Rethinking India’s Diaspora Obsession
Amit Kapoor and Meenakshi Ajith
Every Independence Day in India prompts self-reflection on its journey from oppressive colonial rule to independence, and its pursuit of becoming a developed economy on its 100th year of freedom. Over the last few years, it has been observed that global forums and cultural dialogues are frequently dominated by the success stories of the Indian diaspora, often overlooking the fact that the diaspora’s perceived success serves as a testament to India’s human capital potential.
In 1893, a 30-year-old Swami Vivekananda addressed the first Parliament of the World’s Religions. More than a century later, his call for unity and mutual respect feels strikingly contemporary: despite unprecedented digital and technological connectivity, people remain divided by cultural, religious, and regional lines. The impact of his address went beyond that of any spiritual ambassador; it was morally and culturally profound and resonant, paving the way for India during a period of increasing global exchange of ideas amid colonialism, when India was struggling for independence and seeking its place on the world stage. At that time, India did not have a military; it was preoccupied with fighting for independence, and lacked representation in trade lobbies or forums for persons of Indian origin. This was all before the term ‘Diaspora’ even became fashionable to use.
Today, India has forgotten that the Indian diaspora in the United States was meant to be the modern-day equivalent of Vivekananda in positioning and promoting India’s voice globally. However, there is a difference. Vivekananda was speaking as an Indian at a global forum, with his purpose and mission rooted in India. His legacy serves as a direct representation of what he is remembered for, a distinction that does not apply to the Indian Diaspora within the geopolitical frameworks.
The Indian Diaspora community, given its size, is perceived to serve as a socio-economic and cultural bridge between the host and homeland countries. While the Indian Diaspora has a voice, it is often loudest when they are seen as ethnic lobbies in liberal host lands. Their voices are loudest when the host country’s national interests, foreign policy, and trade policies align with or are not threatened by those of their home country. In such a scenario, one may say all is well! This is the exact position of the largest Indian Diaspora in the world, which is home to 5.41 million, representing approximately 1.6% of its overall population in the United States.
Since the United States hit India with 25% tariffs and, under the “reciprocal tariff” regime, imposed an extra 25% on Russian oil imports, pushing export lines close to 50%;the blow to Indian exporters is real, as both the textile and automotive sectors face trade barriers in the age of globalisation 4.0. Amongst this chaos, the Indian Diaspora’s silence is deafening, but by its nature, surprising at the least. Nonetheless, this represents their role in its most conditional form. The moment geopolitical winds shift and the host country’s position conflicts with the homeland, the same Diaspora, which prides itself on being a “cultural ambassador” and “soft power tool,” becomes a silent spectator. The same Diaspora, which affirms on every India-US forum that they can strengthen organic bonds between the two countries’ networks, promises to go beyond cultural exchange to facilitate investment and knowledge transfer between the two countries , becomes merely a ceremonial presence.
The Indian Diaspora front is completely absent when it comes to defending the actions of its homeland; it is neither ideologically neutral nor uniformly inclusive, despite the rhetoric they may celebrate as “global Indian family”. In practice, however, the embrace is highly selective, based on geographic optics, cultural relevance, and nostalgia for the homeland’s economic progress. Today’s silence over tariff standoffs are hardly surprising. When a diaspora’s economic, social and political capital is rooted elsewhere, its voice will only follow its stakes. This is the moment we need to realise that having adopted the host country, many in the Indian diaspora align their primary affinities and allegiance with the United States regardless of their cultural ties with India.
It is wonderful to celebrate how Indian-origin excellence has made them icons, whether it is Google CEO Sundar Pichai or Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. They are all stories celebrated for the direct products of India’s global influence. Yet these are not India’s achievements; they are the result of individual aspiration, ambition, and perseverance in utilising the opportunities and competitive environment provided within the structures of the United States. This celebration and the obsession of the Indian Diaspora elucidate our failure to recognise and honour individuals who remain in the country, while simultaneously celebrating those who choose to emigrate. The same Diaspora occasionally participates in cultural pageantry through grand diaspora rallies, such as Howdy Modi, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and yoga diplomacy, but it remains guarded and suddenly is no more vocal in its Indian heritage when India’s geopolitical stances risk friction with the United States. Although the Indian diaspora sent home $135.46 billion in the last fiscal year, the highest on record, as a form of remittance, this is not for nation-building; it is purely a transfer made for private households, not for public goods. It can finance families but does not substitute for domestic investment or state capacities. This leaves a gap when the same cultural ambassadors who are talented, skilled and accomplished in host country are expected to advocate voluntarily with no obligation for India but instead they shrink into the background of geopolitical tensions in reality. Moreover, the diaspora is inherently heterogeneous, which limits a unified front.
Therefore, our current obsession with the Indian diaspora needs to cease. India’s achievements should primarily depend on its own domestic population, capital, businesses, skills, and technological and innovative ecosystems’ ability to withstand the test of geopolitical winds. We must start celebrating victories within our country by supporting those who are committed to nation-building such as teachers, students, doctors, civil servants, scientists, researchers, and startup leaders the ability of its technological and innovative ecosystems who have chosen to stay and are at the forefront of shaping the future of this country. Our focus should be on empowering these individuals, addressing all weaknesses and challenges to enable Indians to contribute more effectively. We need to enable Indians who can represent the nation at global forums with true grit, ambition, vision, and meaningful contributions to the world, not just when it becomes trendy to be Indian.
The article was published in Statesman on September 16, 2025
