Outreach to Diaspora and the Importance of Statesmanship : Daily News Analysis

Date : 26/06/2023

Relevance : GS Paper 2 : Indian Diaspora

Key words : Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, Tamil Diaspora, Sirimavo-Shastri Pact of 1964, The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)

Context-

The speech delivered by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his overseas tour of Japan and Singapore in May 2023 highlighted the commitment of the Tamil Nadu government to protect and support the Tamil diaspora.

Overview of the Tamil Diaspora:

The Tamil diaspora constitutes a significant portion of the Indian diaspora worldwide. Tamils are prevalent in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, South Africa, and various others, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and European nations.
The diaspora holds three identities: Tamil, Indian, and the nationality of their respective host countries. The migration patterns, education levels, professional achievements, economic influence, and the majority-minority dynamics in host nations shape the hopes and challenges faced by the Tamil diaspora.
Noteworthy achievements of the Tamil diaspora can be seen in various fields, including politics, economics, literature, arts, sports, and science.

Impact of Host Country Policies:

Jawaharlal Nehru's aspirations for the protection and unity of Indians abroad were met with challenges.
The first legislative act passed in Ceylon after independence affected the Indian Tamils who were brought there by the British for tea plantation labor. Nehru advocated for granting citizenship to those who considered Ceylon their home. However, Ceylon argued for its sovereign right to introduce citizenship regulations, leading to the disenfranchisement of Indian Tamils.
Similarly, Burmese Indian Tamils faced non-citizenship and expulsion, with harsh measures implemented during their departure. In terms of bilateral relations with neighboring countries, India's policies sometimes compromised the interests of the Indian diaspora.
The Sirimavo-Shastri Pact of 1964 is a notable example, as it divided the Indian Tamil community between India and Sri Lanka, contrary to the opposition expressed by influential leaders in the Madras Presidency.

The Importance of Protecting the Tamil Language:

Chief Minister Stalin's emphasis on protecting and promoting the Tamil language is significant. However, it is concerning that in many countries, the Tamil community has lost touch with the Tamil language, a vital aspect of Tamil culture.

Collaboration between State and Central Governments:

While the central government has exclusive jurisdiction over diaspora policies, state governments can influence these policies through building public opinion.
It is crucial to foster camaraderie and friendship between the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and state governments, such as the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Instead of adopting confrontational approaches, cooperation is essential.

Addressing Citizenship Issues:

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) could have included the term "persecuted minorities," and its exclusion of Sri Lanka, where ethnic conflicts have forced many Tamils to seek refuge in Tamil Nadu, has raised concerns.
New Delhi considers Sri Lankan Tamil refugees as illegal immigrants and advocates for their return to Sri Lanka. However, these refugees desire Indian citizenship and fulfill the residential qualifications outlined in the Indian Citizenship Act.
The statelessness of Indian Tamil refugees, numbering 29,500, emphasizes the need for an amicable solution. Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are even willing to surrender their Sri Lankan citizenship in exchange for Indian citizenship.

Role of Diaspora in a Country's Progress

The Indian diaspora comprises over 18 million persons of Indian origin and 13 million non-resident Indians,making it the largest overseas community globally.The profile and geographical distribution of the Indian diaspora presents a great opportunity to promote the country’s soft power and cultural diplomacy abroad.According to the World Migration Report prepared by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, India has the world’s largest emigrant population, followed by Mexico, Russia and China

Contribution of Diaspora:

International Representation: Diasporas serve as a symbol of national pride and represent their country on the global stage, contributing to the country's international reputation and influence.
Economic Contribution: Emigrants make significant investments in their home countries, particularly in sectors such as finance, real estate, services, and technology. These investments contribute to economic growth, job creation, and the overall development of the local economy.
Remittances: The Indian diaspora, in particular, plays a crucial role in terms of remittances, which have a profound impact on socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and consumption patterns in rural areas.

Technology Transfer: Diasporas residing in technologically advanced countries facilitate the transfer of technology and innovation to their country of origin through investments and collaborations, contributing to technological advancements and progress.
Diplomacy: Large emigrant communities provide an advantage in diplomacy by fostering people-to-people contact and facilitating closer ties between nations. Examples such as the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal demonstrate how diasporas can effectively lobby for their country's interests.
Cultural Promotion: Diasporas help spread their country's indigenous culture and traditions, leading to the export of domestic cuisines and merchandise. This, in turn, creates opportunities for investment in host countries to cater to local preferences and tastes.
Political Influence: Diasporas play a significant role in influencing policies and politics in their host countries, advocating for the interests of their country of origin and fostering positive relations between nations.
Bilateral Relations: With diasporas increasingly holding prominent positions in high offices of their host nations, such as in the UK and USA, they contribute to strengthening economic linkages and fostering closer bilateral ties.

Challenges posed by the diaspora include the exclusion of less wealthy segments, job cuts due to low oil prices, persisting discriminatory practices, inconsistent support, retention of dual citizenship, misuse of remittances, brain drain in research and development, and policies favoring labor from other countries.

The government has implemented several measures to address the needs of the Indian diaspora. These include the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the organization of Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas to honor their contributions, welfare schemes such as Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana, the Know India Programme for diaspora youth, the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme providing certain benefits, the "Tracing the Roots" initiative, the Swarnapravas Yojana for skill development, and the signing of social security agreements with foreign countries. These measures aim to provide comprehensive support and foster closer ties with the Indian diaspora.

The way forward involves broadening the participation in diaspora conventions, improving immigration procedures, facilitating foreign funds, addressing the welfare of blue-collar workers, promoting inclusive diplomacy, focusing on tourism among second-generation PIOs, safeguarding the rights of Indian women married to NRIs/PIOs, leveraging diaspora professionals for economic development, and attracting NRI/PIO investments through infrastructure bonds. India must effectively utilize the financial and intellectual capital of its widespread diaspora.

Conclusion:

To protect the interests of the Indian diaspora, state governments must collaborate with the central government, focusing on statesmanship rather than political opportunism. A cooperative approach, camaraderie, and friendly relations between the central and state governments are essential. This necessitates addressing the challenges faced by the diaspora, protecting their cultural heritage, and finding solutions to citizenship issues.

Probable Questions for Mains exam-

Elaborate on the concept of statesmanship and its significance in dealing with issues concerning the Indian diaspora, with a focus on building cooperation between the central government and state governments. (10 Marks,150 words)
Analyze the impact of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on the Indian diaspora, particularly in relation to the Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka. Discuss the need for an amicable solution to address their statelessness. (15 Marks,250 words)

Source : The Hindu