E-Paper
Maldives, Afghanistan, Central Asia
The current area-wise profiles of the Indian Diaspora, depend on the historical circumstances of emigration to a particular destination as well as the prevailing political, cultural, economic and social norms in the receiving country.
The current area-wise profiles of the Indian Diaspora, depend on the historical circumstances of emigration to a particular destination as well as the prevailing political, cultural, economic and social norms in the receiving country.
The expectations that they have from their mother country also vary according to their position and status in the host country.
The Maldives Afghanistan and Central Asia,
There are an estimated 9,000 NRIs in the Maldives, out of the island population of 269,000, according to the Census taken in 2000. The Indian Diaspora in the Maldives is composed of doctors, teachers, engineers, accountants, managers and other highly qualified professionals, several of whom are employed in projects funded and assisted by India.
Indian skilled and unskilled personnel have also sought employment in the booming economy. There is only one Maldivian citizen of Indian origin in this country.
Migration to Afghanistan has taken place over the last several centuries, mainly from undivided Punjab. The emigrants were mostly retailers and traders. After the Mujahideen takeover in Afghanistan in 1992, large-scale emigration from Afghanistan to neighbouring countries, mainly to India, has taken place, reducing the size of the community from an estimated 45,000 in 1990 to 1000 in 1996.
During the Taliban regime, there were widespread reports of harsh discrimination against minorities. Afghan Hindus and Sikhs have continued to flee Afghanistan to the neighbouring territory of Pakistan, with a view to eventually reach India. Our High Commission in Islamabad is in charge of processing their visa applications. Government of India has extended assistance to Afghan refugees in India.
The Indian community numbers 2732 out of a population of 55.5 million (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). It consists mainly of NRI students, entrepreneurs, traders, managers, representatives/ employees of Indian or of multinational corporations, banks and hotels, and workers. It is well regarded, having a higher per capita income than the national averages and having adapted itself to local conditions.
In Kazakhstan the success of Ispat International in turning a Soviet-era steel plant around, has positively impacted the image of the Indian community. Besides Ispat Karmet, which is an NRI company, the following Indian companies have representation in Kazakhstan - Ajant Pharma, Dr. Reddy's labs, Ranbaxy, Core, Lupin, IPCA, and USV.
The Indian Cultural Centre in Almaty is active in propagating Indian culture. There are many NRls employed by Indian companies and multinationals in Uzbekistan also. The Committee felt that the Indian community in Central Asia is bound to increase in view of the close economic and bilateral relations between the Central Asian countries and India, and it would be necessary to bring the region within the Committee's ambit of implementation of measures to promote linkages between India and its Diaspora.
