• UGI USER
  • Jul 27, 2023
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Q. Internationally the rise of protectionism and changing approach of many countries towards migration may have a significant impact on the Indian Diaspora. Explain.

Approach:

  • Introduce the answer briefly with recent examples of rise of protectionism and changing approach of countries towards migration.
  • In the light of recent changes, discuss the impact on the Indian diaspora.
  • Conclude your answer.

Answer:

The rise of protectionism, both in trade and immigration, has been evident world over in past few  years especially in the developed countries. In 2017, WTO warned about this trend, highlighting  that the rate of new trade restrictive measures introduced by G20 countries in 2016 reached the  highest monthly average since 2009.

This trend can be further seen in the following:

  • Recently, the US administration passed an executive order to overhaul its H-1B program.
  • In the UK, Indian workers, who hold nearly 60% of the skilled foreign worker visas, faced similar woes as the country raised the salary threshold for different visas.
  • Singapore, Australia, New Zealand etc. are also stressing upon considering local population first to fill up any vacancies in tech areas and others. This trend is being further pushed forward due  to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In West Asia especially the oil rich Persian Gulf economies there is an emphasis on increasing the number of locals in employment.

Since India continues to be the largest country of origin of international migrants, this anti globalization stance and rise of protectionism will impact Indian diaspora in multiple ways:

  • Disruption in remittances: Remittances are a major source of income for families of Diaspora in India. Indians diaspora contributed over $83 billion in 2019 in terms of remittances. The  remittances are likely to get reduced in present scenario affecting affordability with respect to  food, healthcare, and basic needs of many families of diaspora in India.
  • Security issues: The rising protectionist stances in various countries are also manifesting itself in the form of increased hate crimes against the diaspora.
  • Accommodating deported people: Many Indians are projected to lose their jobs. Furthermore,  lakhs of Indians in the US, the UK, Singapore, Australia, and Canada will have to leave their  host country, if they are not employed. Similarly, in the Gulf countries there are already over  300,000 people seeking to return to India since they have lost their jobs.
  • Waning influence: It may also impact political and diplomatic clout that Indian diaspora commands as of now owing to their vast numbers in host countries.
  • Students: With announcement that foreign students will have to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only classes – several Indian students in the US  and others shall be impacted. With far fewer jobs available and universities switching to online  learning, students would need to rethink their long-term goals.

Thus, it is important for countries to understand the interdependencies that have been brought  about by globalization, and all nations must work in tandem to protect the interests of global  populations, including various diaspora.