India has never been a static nation. While everyone is familiar with it as the origin country of Indian migrants from which millions have departed, fewer realize it is also a thriving destination for a highly diverse class of immigrants. Analyzing the number of immigrants in India by country reflects the intricate dynamic between history, geography, and contemporary global forces. Geographically located in South Asia and referred to as a populous nation, India has been a place of transit for global migrants for centuries. According to the United Nations, the country has many international migrants; therefore, it is a relevant topic for scholars, policymakers, and communities.
Table of Contents
History of Immigrants in India by Country
The story of immigration into India stretches back thousands of years. From ancient trade routes to the age of colonialism, India has welcomed, and sometimes absorbed, waves of newcomers. During British rule, migration patterns intensified as colonial administrators encouraged movement for labour and trade, pulling in people from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and other Eastern countries. The legacy of these movements is still visible today, woven into the fabric of India's diverse society.
Where Do Immigrants to India Come From?
A clear pattern emerges when you explore immigrants in India by country: most migrants come from neighbouring nations in the Indian subcontinent. Data from the India Migration Report highlights Bangladesh as the top country of origin, followed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. Each of these migration flows tells a unique story. Sri Lankan Tamils, for instance, fled the civil war and found refuge primarily in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, decades of instability in Afghanistan have pushed many Afghans to seek safety in Indian cities like Delhi.
Where Immigrants Settle Within India
Different parts of India have become home to other communities. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has a notable population of Nepali immigrants, thanks to an open-border agreement between the two countries. In the south, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have long welcomed Sri Lankan Tamils. As a bustling metropolis, Delhi hosts a diverse mix of migrants, including communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Internal migration plays a crucial role in India’s demographics. Economic opportunities draw interstate migrants to cities, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, many faced extraordinary hardships as lockdowns forced a massive and often perilous return to their home states. All these factors play a role in understanding the demographics of immigrants in India by country.
The Challenges of Becoming Indian
Gaining Indian citizenship is not straightforward. Governed by the Citizenship Act, the path to legal status involves numerous hurdles. Recent debates, especially those linked to the National Register of Citizens of India, have intensified the focus on illegal migrants, particularly from Bangladesh. At the same time, the concept of dual citizenship remains contentious. Programs like the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card grant some rights to people of Indian origin but stop short of offering full citizenship.
Whether an immigrant can become a citizen often depends on factors like their country of birth, how long they have lived in India, and broader political climates. Nepali migrants, for example, benefit from longstanding treaties that make their path easier than that of many Bangladeshi immigrants.
Students and Workers: The New Faces of Migration
India is proving to be a magnet for international students, mostly from neighbouring countries and African states. Its relatively affordable fees and well-established learning institutions attract thousands annually, who infuse India's learning and India's sphere with vibrancy.
While it is the resource-rich but population-poor countries that attract migrant workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, and other African countries to work in the construction, domestic, and agriculture sectors, the financial cost of hiring has a weighing effect on the workforce, necessitating reforms to migration that render it more equitable and sustainable.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Shifted Migration
The global pandemic brought international migration to a standstill, and India was no exception. With borders closed, many migrant workers found themselves stranded abroad or unemployed. Migrants in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia were particularly hard-hit, with many forced to return home under difficult circumstances.
According to research from the Pew Research Center, international migrants everywhere faced more significant uncertainty during the pandemic. India responded by launching large-scale repatriation missions and attempting to support internal migrants, though the efforts highlighted existing gaps in the social safety net.
Global Links to Migration
While nearby countries provide most of India’s immigrants, India's places farther afield are growing. Individuals of Indian origin from South Africa sometimes return for business or family reasons. Indian Americans also maintain deep connections to India, often through programs like OCI.
The Middle East remains an area of top priority for Indian emigration. Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf nations draw enormous numbers of Indian workers, but during economic recession, India also witnesses reverse migration as workers return home. The return migration is permanently transforming India's economy and society.
Challenges and Opportunities in Immigration
India has a committed future when it comes to immigration. Illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh remains a cause of political crises and judicial struggles, regularly making it to the Supreme Court. Unchecked immigration also stretches local resources, especially in disturbed border states like West Bengal and Assam.
Organizations like Caritas India collaborate with international partners to campaign for more significant migrant safeguards. Governance and Labour Migration projects try reconciling the country's security with its humanitarian responsibilities.
With the changing global migration trends, India must devise future-oriented policies that address economic requirements, geopolitical changes, and crises. Cooperation with Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East will define the Indian migration policy and strategy of the future.
Conclusion
Understanding the number of immigrants in India by country involves complicity, survival, and conversion. From the Bangladeshi diaspora of the east to the Sri Lankan Tamils of the south, immigrants have left their indelible mark on Indian society and culture. As India increasingly becomes an emerging world power, it must come to terms with the role of both a sending and receiving country of migrants, enacting policy that is attuned to the migrant's voice but ensures a balanced and humanely equitable system for all.
FAQs
Which country has the most immigrants from India?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the highest number of Indian immigrants, followed by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Where do most Indian immigrants come from?
Most Indian immigrants are from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat states and are migrating to pursue education, employment, and better opportunities.
Who are the largest migrants in India?
India's internal migrants comprise the highest count, mostly rural-to-urban migrants seeking employment. The most significant out-migration is in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
