Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian Countries economics and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context.
Indian cultural, economic and trade linkages with South East Asia has existed since the ancient times. There was so much similarities that the Europeans referred to the region as “Further India” (or East Indies). Except for a brief conquest of Malaya by the Cholas there has not been any political conquest and dominance the region by India. This remarkable linkage has left both regions with shared tradition, culture and festivities.
Post independence, due to inward looking policies these linkages suffered a temporary setback. There has been no uniformity in terms of social, political and economic prowess among Indians in Southeast Asia. Numerically too there is no uniformity.
Rough estimates of Indian’s in these nation are
- Malaysia - about 8% of total population.
- Singapore - about 9%
- Myanmar - about 4%
- Indonesia - less than 0.5%
The New economic Policy of 1970 is said to have adversely affected the Indian Community in Malaysia. Only a small group with political patronage is said to have fared well. Political representation through Malaysian Indian Congress and Democratic Action Party has given voice to them.
In Singapore, Indians have found good representation in judiciary, Civil Services and armed forces. The state ideology of rejection of ethnic privileges and rewarding merit has allowed Indians to flourish.
In Contrast, Myanmar’s nationalization policies led to exodus of Indians from the region. The one’s left behind are majority of poor Indians from trading communities. Now Indians have less social, political and economic leverage in the region.
In Indonesia, Sikhs, Tamils and Sindhis are engaged in various small businesses. Recent trends of migration to indicate that Indians have performed well in the archipelago.
India’s growing diplomatic, security, institutional and political engagement with the South-East Asian region increased post-1991 with the Look East policy. Indian engagement through ASEAN and East Asia Summit has tried to leverage the historical cultural and economic linkage with the region. The rejuvenated push through “Act East” policy coupled with “ Look East through North East” are expected provide rich dividends . India has also attempted to project its smart power through leveraging the presence of a strong Indian Diaspora in the region. Government initiatives such as Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, Pravsi Bhartiya Sammelan and Trade Facilitation Centers for Overseas Indians have found a favorable response from the Indian Diaspora.
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