Are more and more Indians leaving India to settle abroad? Since the COVID-19 pandemic epidemic, more than 5 lakh Indian individuals will have renounced their Indian citizenship by the end of 2023. According to figures from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spanning from 2011 to the end of June 2023, a total of 1.75 million (10.75 lakh) Indians have voluntarily surrendered their passports.
The peak of Indians surrendering their Indian passports was witnessed in 2022 when 2,25,620 Indians adopted foreign citizenship. India’s prohibition on dual citizenship requires those obtaining citizenship in another country to forfeit their Indian passport. Currently, there are around 13 million (1.3 core) Indians living abroad as per the information shared by the MEA with the parliament. From Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, Iceland, Vatican to the US, UK, France, and Germany; Indians have given up their citizenship to immigrate to 135 countries worldwide.
While the commonly cited reasons for this migration include a lack of job opportunities or poor living conditions in India, a deeper consideration emerges. But think about this from a different point of view, if every Indian who is capable of improving India migrates out of the country, then how will India progress? Reflecting on the United States, a nation often idealized by many Indians, who make it their life goal to go live there, imagine if every American had left their country when they were still a developing country.
Would America be the same as it is today? Would it be one of the world’s leading powers if it was obsessed with other cultures and countries? Obviously not.
India, in the past decade, has demonstrated significant potential to establish itself as an influential power. Chandrayan 3 became the fourth nation after the US, China, and Russia to have successfully soft landed on the moon. India’s passport ranking has increased to 80 from 87, giving its holders visa-free access to 57 countries. The excitement of desi by nature is reflected in our traditional dresses and dances, bhangra, garba, and most other folk performances. Indian cuisine occupies a prominent spot on the list that itself breaks down to Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Rajasthani, Kashmiri, etc., covering every region and sub-region of India.
The allure of living abroad as a third-class citizen prompts reflection on the tendency of Desis to choose this path over contributing to India’s development as first-class citizens. While India is a dynamic place for business activities and commercial growth, with high-yielding investments, it is less so from a wealth preservation perspective. The number of Indian nationals exploring the global workplace has been significant in the last two decades. According to the government, many of them have chosen to take up foreign citizenship for reasons of personal convenience.
Wealthy families want to ensure that their offspring have access to top-tier academic institutions to pave the way for their success. They are looking for optionality to move to cities that are more resilient to climate change and that offer a good quality of life. Indians abroad often have a strong sense of nostalgia for their homeland. This nostalgia can lead Indians abroad to appreciate and learn more about India than Indians who have never left.
They may have left India for a variety of reasons, but they still feel a deep connection to their culture and traditions and also aging parents in India.
However, the decision to migrate is not inherently wrong, as individuals have diverse aspirations and goals. In no way, am I saying moving to a different country is WRONG. That comment cannot be made since everyone has different aspirations, goals and dreams. What is important to understand is the herd mentality, the fact that no one is properly thinking why they need to move abroad what really is the need, it has just become a social norm specially if you come from a wealthy family. The concern lies in the pervasive herd mentality and the lack of critical thought behind the decision to move abroad. The societal norm, particularly prevalent in affluent families, often perpetuates this migration trend.
It is crucial to recognize that both Indians abroad and those in India can share a deep appreciation for their homeland. The individual’s journey and connection to culture and heritage play pivotal roles, and there is no universally right or wrong answer to the question of where to reside.