India’s diaspora diplomacy and the limits of cultural nationalism abroad, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Recent incidents involving the Indian diaspora in Canada, Australia, and the U.S. have drawn attention due to displays of faith and culture considered unacceptable in public spaces.
• Deepavali celebrations in Edmonton, Canada, resulted in a house fire and arson charges, while anti-immigrant protests in Australia have targeted Indians.
• The rise of Hindutva and increased outflow of Indians since the 1990s have expanded a global network of cultural nationalists, gaining momentum after 2014.
• Concerns over foreign interference in domestic politics are rising in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, leading to increased scrutiny of various immigrant groups, including those of Indian origin.

Detailed Insights:

• Jawaharlal Nehru consciously distanced India from PIO politics to avoid the perception of interference in other countries' domestic affairs, urging loyalty to their adopted nations.
• The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 introduced the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), granting PIOs lifetime visa-free entry and rights similar to NRIs in economic, educational, and financial sectors.
• While historically viewed as benign, state-sponsored attempts to engage the diaspora in promoting Indian interests have clashed with rising fears of foreign interference in the West.
• Expectations for the diaspora to advocate Indian interests must consider the reality of heightened nationalism in host countries, as multi-alignment may not always be feasible.
• The U.S. allows dual citizenship, but some lawmakers are pushing for increased scrutiny due to concerns about foreign interference, reflecting a broader trend in Western nations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Diaspora: A scattered population with a common origin in a smaller geographic area.
• Cultural Nationalism: A form of nationalism where the nation is defined by a shared culture.
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI): A form of Indian identity granted to people of Indian origin allowing them to live and work in India indefinitely.