India is home to one of the world’s largest diaspora, with around 32 million people of Indian origin living in countries all around the world. As India’s general elections in 2024 approach Indian political parties are competing to gain the support of its diaspora members.
The Indian National Congress party is currently leading this effort with its leader Rahul Gandhi set to meet Indian diaspora members in both San Francisco and New York at the end of May and early June during his visit to the United States. The event is being organized by the Indian Overseas Congress US, a diaspora group that promotes the Congress party, and is inviting members to “Join hands for secular and democratic India”.
Likewise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also reaching out to the Indian diaspora in the run up to the elections. The American chapter of the Overseas Friends of BJP is organizing a unity march in 20 cities on June 18 and 5,000 members of the diaspora have been invited to the White House lawns to welcome Modi on June 22. It is clear that the BJP understands this group has great potential as a source of soft power.
Since the term of late former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who spearheaded the first Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or Overseas Indians Conference, the Indian government has been engaged with its diaspora. But it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts that have truly energised this relationship, with diaspora events a staple of his foreign travels, including a massive event of nearly 20,000 attendees in 2014 at Madison Square Garden.
The Indian diaspora holds influence both in India and abroad. As Indian political parties reach out to its most expatriated citizens, it is essential that they address their development needs and ensure that the diaspora is listened to in formulating policies.
