1 minSocial Issue
Social Issue

Diaspora

What is Diaspora?

A diaspora is a scattered population whose origin lies in a separate geographic locale. Historically, the term was used to refer to the dispersion of Jews, but now it is applied to other population dispersals, voluntary or forced, from their homelands.

Historical Background

The term 'diaspora' originally referred to the dispersion of Jewish people after the Babylonian exile. Over time, its meaning expanded to include other communities living outside their ancestral homelands, such as the Armenian, Greek, and African diasporas.

Key Points

8 points
  • 1.

    Diaspora communities often maintain cultural, social, and economic links with their homelands.

  • 2.

    They can play a significant role in the development of their home countries through remittances, investments, and knowledge transfer.

  • 3.

    Diaspora engagement is an important aspect of foreign policy for many countries.

  • 4.

    Governments often implement policies to strengthen ties with their diaspora populations.

  • 5.

    Diaspora communities can face challenges such as discrimination, integration issues, and identity conflicts.

  • 6.

    The Indian diaspora is one of the largest and most influential in the world.

  • 7.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has a dedicated division for diaspora affairs.

  • 8.

    The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day) is celebrated annually on January 9th to recognize the contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Visual Insights

Key Aspects of Indian Diaspora

Mind map showing the key aspects and components of the Indian Diaspora, useful for understanding the breadth of the topic.

Indian Diaspora

  • ●Contributions
  • ●Challenges
  • ●Government Initiatives
  • ●Role in Foreign Policy

Recent Developments

5 developments
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Increased focus on diaspora engagement by the Indian government.

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Efforts to facilitate diaspora investment in India.

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Initiatives to promote cultural exchange and knowledge sharing between India and its diaspora.

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Addressing the concerns of Indian diaspora communities in various countries.

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Leveraging the diaspora for India's economic and strategic interests.

Source Topic

Indians Return from Iran Amid Protests, Embassy Offers Support

International Relations

Story Threads

1

Escalating Tensions Involving Iran and Implications for India - January 2026

International Relations6 events

UPSC Relevance

Relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice) and GS Paper 1 (Social Issues). Questions can be asked on the role of the Indian diaspora, government policies for diaspora engagement, and the challenges faced by diaspora communities.

Key Aspects of Indian Diaspora

Mind map showing the key aspects and components of the Indian Diaspora, useful for understanding the breadth of the topic.

Indian Diaspora

Remittances

Cultural Assimilation

Citizenship Act

Soft Power

Connections
Contributions→Government Initiatives
Challenges→Government Initiatives
Government Initiatives→Role In Foreign Policy