Beyond Borders: The Indian Diaspora and Indo-Africa Relations

Abstract

This article examines the historical foundations and contemporary functions of the Indian diaspora in Africa, analysing its role in economic cooperation, political engagement, and cultural exchange, while also assessing its impact on soft power diplomacy and bilateral relations.

Introduction

Originally associated with Jewish migration, ‘Diaspora’ is used to refer to a large group of people who share a cultural and regional origin but live away from their traditional homeland. However, it is pertinent to note that, it is, sometimes, characterized by forced dispersal and reluctant scattering, where often the victims’ lives are at stake.[1] However contentious it may be, the idea of diaspora becomes important in a globalized world, where populations and cultures intersect to form a diverse human resource shaped by strong cultural and national identities. Such diaspora serves as a bridge between borders, such as those of India and Africa.

The Indian diaspora in Africa comprises two main categories: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who are Indian citizens that have emigrated, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), whose ancestors migrated to Africa, giving them citizenship of their respective host countries. Out of the total overseas Indian population, Africa hosts 2,811,415 individuals, of whom 2,590,448 are PIOs and 220,967 are NRIs.[2]

Historical Foundation

The commonalities in the modern histories of the African continent and the Indian subcontinent emerge primarily from the British occupation and exploitation. Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, accompanied with various labour-intensive projects, indentured contracts emerged in the 1860s. Between 1829 and 1924, a total of 769,427 Indians were forced to migrate to Mauritius, South Africa, the Seychelles, and East Africa. [3]

There were, of course, other reasons why Indians moved to Africa beyond indentured contracts. Among these were traders along the East African coastline, often referred to as ‘passenger Indians’ because they came on their own initiative, paying their own way. The nickname implied that they were travellers or sojourners rather than permanent settlers, yet many established enduring commercial networks and communities that would influence the region’s economic landscape for generations.[4]

Following independence, the Nehruvian worldview largely sidelined overseas Indians, emphasizing that they should integrate into their countries of residence rather than maintain formal ties with India. This approach reflected India’s commitment to non-alignment and South–South solidarity, prioritizing African self-determination over the interests of its diaspora, even as the Indian communities continued to play vital social and economic roles across the continent.[5]

Diaspora as Connectors

The Indian communities in Africa are not monolithic in nature. The presence of Indian people in Africa is differentiated through categories propagated by scholars: Mauritius has the largest Indian-origin proportion of its total population, South Africa has the largest Indian community in absolute numbers concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal, while Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda have smaller minority groups, although economically and socially active.[6] These degrees of representation illustrate that influence is not merely a function of numbers but also of how one is positioned relative to the host society.

The Indian diaspora has become an important driver of economic connectivity between Africa and India. As entrepreneurs, diasporas act as "first movers," recognizing opportunities in the countries they migrated from and driving trade, investment, employment, and growth.[7] Beyond remittances, diasporas also transfer financial and social capital, particularly knowledge of advanced technology, human skills, and links to global networks, which fosters development in both host and home countries.[8] This "diaspora capital" generates not just trade but also innovation, creating more synergistic, cross-continental economic partnerships.

In terms of politics, the Indian diaspora in Africa has been a bridge and a catalyst in strengthening India–Africa relations. Scholars note that people of Indian origin in Africa hold major political, administrative, and business positions across the continent, which qualifies them as key players in promoting bilateral cooperation.[9] Their positioning within African political systems provides India with a particular advantage, as policymakers in New Delhi can draw on the voices of the diaspora to foster goodwill and ease negotiations. Beyond formal political activity, the diaspora also exerts soft power: through cultural festivals, education, and philanthropy, Indian-origin communities build people-to-people connections and enhance India’s image abroad. This form of “everyday diplomacy” ensures that even in the absence of official state activity, the diaspora continues to give visibility to India’s values and traditions.

Finally, the cultural role of the diaspora must not be overlooked. From Bollywood screenings in Nairobi to Diwali celebrations in Durban, Indian practices have taken root and been reinterpreted in Africa. These cultural exchanges have created hybrid identities, where African and Indian elements coexist, maintaining heritage while sustaining multiculturalism in host countries. This process of cultural hybridization has further extended India’s soft power as well.

Together, the economic, political, and cultural engagements of the Indian diaspora underscore their role as vital connectors, fostering collaboration and mutual growth between India and Africa.

Contemporary Significance

Even today, Indian migrants play a major role in critical sectors of the African economy, including the diamond industry. In Kenya especially, the Indian diaspora is regarded as vital to the nation’s economy, continuing to drive growth and investment. While commerce remains a stronghold, Indians in Kenya are increasingly shaping the finance, banking, insurance, and housing sectors as well.[10]

In today's context, the Indian diaspora occupies a positioning ethos where it continues to play a key role in establishing and maintaining India–Africa relations and engagement from an economic, political, and cultural standpoint. In addition to being involved in trade, industry, and finance, individuals of Indian origin serve a role as connectors between local African markets and Indian firms through their understanding of localized business, finance, networks, and governance.[11] The diaspora aids trade, promotes investment, and stimulates development to support an interdependent economic ecosystem across regions.

In recognition of its potential, India has wanted its diaspora to participate as a strategic resource that can support or create soft power and global outreach. The establishment of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the observance of Pravasi Bharat Divas, the awarding of the Pravasi Bharat Samman Awards, and the Overseas Citizenship of India demonstrate the systematic effort to adopt diasporic engagement as part of the Indian political apparatus.[12] Multiple prominent awardees of the Bharat Samman have been Africans of Indian origin, and the awarding and recognition may catalyse responses from the diaspora and motivate further acts of engagement within development, diplomacy, and governance within their communities. A number of important roles have been held by African Indians, including posts such as High Commissioner of Uganda to India, which partly illustrate the diaspora's agenda of using their background and associations to shape bilateral and multilateral engagements.

This recent participation demonstrates India’s developmental vision as a middle power with greater global ambitions. By linking to its well-placed and well-resourced diaspora, India facilitates the mobilization of its diaspora's investments and expertise, while expanding India's cultural and political presence on the continent. The diaspora serves as a conduit for deepening India's engagement and reinforcing collaborative development by strengthening India's identification as an active partner of the continent's development.

Conclusion

Though a small minority in most countries in Africa, the Indian diaspora has contributed quietly but significantly to the continent's economic, political, and cultural terrains. The members of the diaspora have long negotiated living loyally to the countries, yet, establishing connections to Indian identities and narratives. By engaging in trade, investment, and knowledge creation over generations across communities, the diaspora makes substantive contributions to socio-economic contexts. They mediate the soft power of India and bind principles across borders. Initiatives such as Pravasi Bharat Divas and the Overseas Citizenship of India have worked to recognize this potential, and demonstrate how the diaspora continues to be a living link: entrenching relations, enabling development, and reforming a shared future between India, and Africa.

References:

Picture: https://rogerfarnworth.com/2018/05/11/uganda-railways-part-2/

Content:

[1] Paul Gilroy, ‘Diaspora’ (1994) 17(3) Paragraph <https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/para.1994.17.3.207> accessed 22 August 2025

[2] P. Rama Krishna Reddy, ‘Indian Diaspora in Africa- An Overview’ (2022) 8 (12) International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Review <http://www.ijmdrr.com/admin/downloads/191220224.pdf> accessed 22 August 2025

[3] Alice Broome, ‘From the Archive: The Indian Diaspora in British Colonial Africa’ (British Online Archives, 22 June 2023) <https://britishonlinearchives.com/posts/category/articles/629/from-the-archive-the-indian-diaspora-in-british-colonial-africa> accessed 23 August 2025

[4] N Jayaram, ‘The Study of Indian Diaspora’ in Yogesh Atal (ed), Sociology and Social Anthropology in India (Indian Council of Social Science Research 2009)

[5] Renu Modi and Ian Taylor, ‘The Indian Diaspora in Africa: The Commodification of Hindu Rashtra’ (2017) 14(6) Globalizations <https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2017.1287451> accessed 23 August 2025

[6] Amit Kumar Jain, Upendra Nabh Tripathi and Vinita Katiyar, ‘An Overview on Indian Diaspora in Africa’ (2017) 8(1) Educational Quest: An International Journal of Education and Applied Social Science <https://doi.org/10.5958/2230-7311.2017.00003.4> accessed 23 August 2025

[7] Nishikant Singh and Priyanka Koiri, ‘Migration, diaspora and development: impressions from India’ (2018) 12(4) Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy <https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-12-2016-0044> accessed 23 August 2025

[8] Ibid

[9] Abdessalam Jaldi, ‘The Indian Diaspora in Africa: An instrument of New Delhi’ Soft Power in the Continent’ (Policy Center for the New South, 12 October 2021) <https://www.policycenter.ma/opinion/indian-diaspora-africa-instrument-new-delhi-soft-power-continent> accessed 23 August 2025

[10] Broome (n 3)

[11] Jaldi (n 6)

[12] Sanjukta Banerji Bhattacharya, ‘The Role of the Indian Diaspora in Africa’ in Ruchita Beri (ed), India and Africa: Enhancing Mutual Engagement (Pentagon Press 2014)

Note:

The author affirms that this article is an entirely original work, never before submitted for publication at any journal, blog or other publication avenue. Any unintentional resemblance to previously published material is purely coincidental. This article is intended solely for academic and scholarly discussion. The author takes personal responsibility for any potential infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to any individuals, organizations, governments, or institutions.

About the Author:

Meemansha Tiwari, law student and aspiring legal professional, focused on international relations and security issues through rigorous research and practical engagement.