The Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia stands as a testament to the profound impact of cultural, economic, and historical ties that have transcended national boundaries. As a significant demographic, the Indian diaspora has assumed a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social landscape of South-East Asian countries. This community, dispersed across nations like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, has not only preserved its rich cultural heritage but has also become a driving force behind the region’s economic growth. One of the primary facets of their contribution lies in the economic domain, where the Indian diaspora has played a crucial role in trade, entrepreneurship, and skilled labor. From establishing successful businesses to contributing to various sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare, the Indian diaspora has infused dynamism and innovation into the Southeast Asian economies.
Tag: International Relations.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to briefly write about the Indian Diaspora in the South East Asian countries.
- In Body, mention the role of the Indian Diaspora in South East Asia.
- In Conclusion, you can write the overall significance of the Indian Diaspora.
Answer:
Though India’s cultural interaction with Southeast Asia (SEA) precedes the dawn of the Christian era, large-scale Indian emigration began in the 19th and 20th centuries as a result of the colonial system. Southeast Asia has been hugely influenced by India in the realms of art, culture, architecture, court etiquette, religion, and many other things. The similar climatic conditions in both regions played an important role in enhancing ties between the people. The Indian diaspora in these countries is varied in terms of population and profession.
Role of Indian Diaspora in the South East Asia in Economy and Society:
- Folklore singers and artists played a very important role in popularizing and modifying Indian literary works in Southeast Asia and it was the most popular and effective way of propagating Indian culture.
- The artists who popularized epics like Ramayana and Mahabharat contributed to the process of adaptation of these in localized forms. Texts like Seri Rama (Malaysian adaptation of Ramayana) and RamKer (Ramayana Khmer) in Cambodia are regarded as some of the highest literary works of Southeast Asia.
- Sculptors and artists also combined original Indian motifs with local artistic motifs to create a distinctive Southeast Asian style. For example: Sculptures in the temples of Cambodia etc.
- The Hindu priests and Buddhist monks accompanied by the mercantile class assumed a leading role in spreading the message of Indian thought and culture to the entire Southeast Asian region. The use of similar textiles like silk and brocade sari, adoption of similar alphabets in local language, use of traditional Indian herbal medicine, and similar art forms like Dances, Puppetry, etc.
- In the political realm also, Indians are not well represented, but the administrative machinery constitutes few Indians which has very little influence on the policies.
- In the economic realm, various communities like Sikh, Sindhi, and Tamils engaged in various business activities like textiles, construction, etc.
- At present the migration of Indian professionals holding senior positions in local and multinational companies in the fields of IT, education, and technology among other aspects in various countries like Indonesia, etc., contributes significantly to the Southeast Asian countries’ economies.
- Indians are also present in the Judiciary, Armed Forces, and Civil Services in various countries like Singapore, etc., strengthening people-to-people relations between countries.
Economic Contribution by Indians in SEA:
- In Brunei, apart from running businesses, mini-marts and small restaurants, Indians have filled up the human resources vacuum – thus making an important contribution to its economy.
- In the Philippines and Indonesia, members of the Indian Community have played a prominent role in the export of textile products – which has powered their economy in the recent past.
- The Indian community’s contribution to Malaysia’s GDP is about 2% and its share in Malaysia’s international trade is about 3%.
- In Malaysia and Myanmar, almost all important spheres of life like civil services, education, professional services, trade, and commerce are largely in the hands of the Indian community.
- Part of Singapore’s IT industry today is being fuelled by Indian expertise. There is also a significant Indian contribution to scientific research including in bio-technology and medicine.
India’s influence on Southeast Asia’s culture, economy, and civilization can be seen and felt in its customs, culture, architectural designs, etc. However, there is very little uniformity in terms of social, political, and economic progress among Indians in the region, which has a limited impact on India’s soft power in the region. The government through various schemes like Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan, and Trade Facilitation Centers, etc., is creating a conducive environment for the diasporic community and strengthening their ties with India. The flow of Indian professionals in the region and general goodwill towards the Indian community, a diaspora has the potential to play an important role in the future.
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