🇮🇳 Countries with Large Indian Communities: A Global Connection Beyond Borders
India is not just a country—it’s a global identity. With over 30 million Indians living abroad, the Indian diaspora is one of the largest and most influential in the world. From the tech hubs of Silicon Valley to the beaches of Mauritius, Indians have created vibrant communities that reflect their culture, values, and traditions.
In this post, we’ll explore the countries with the largest Indian communities, what makes them popular among Indians, and how India continues to influence these regions through culture, food, festivals, and more.
🌍 Why Indians Migrate Abroad
Many Indians move to other countries for:
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🌐 Better job opportunities
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🎓 Quality education
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🏡 Family connections
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💼 Business and trade
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🛕 Historical reasons (like British-era indentured labor migration)
These communities have kept strong ties with India and helped spread Indian culture globally.
🌎 Top Countries with Large Indian Communities
🇺🇸 United States
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Population: 4.5 million+
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Cities: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas
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Why popular: Education, IT jobs, research
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Cultural impact: Diwali parades, Indian restaurants, yoga centers
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Fun Fact: CEOs of Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and IBM are of Indian origin!
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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Population: 3.5 million+
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Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
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Why popular: Jobs in construction, healthcare, hospitality, IT
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Cultural impact: Indian festivals celebrated, large Hindu temples, Bollywood popularity
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
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Population: 2.5 million+
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Why popular: Employment in oil & gas, healthcare, education
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Cultural presence: Indian grocery stores, Indian schools, strong work culture
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
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Population: 1.8 million+
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Cities: London, Leicester, Birmingham
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Why popular: Colonial connection, business, education
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Cultural presence: Diwali at Trafalgar Square, Indian curries, Indian MPs in UK Parliament
🇨🇦 Canada
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Population: 2 million+
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Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Brampton, Surrey
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Why popular: Easy immigration, quality of life, education
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Cultural presence: Bhangra music, Indian grocery chains, Punjabi radio channels
🇲🇾 Malaysia
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Population: 2 million+
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Why popular: Historic migration during British rule
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Cultural presence: Tamil festivals, Indian temples, banana leaf meals
🇸🇬 Singapore
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Population: 10% Indian-origin
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Why popular: Jobs in finance, tech, and government
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Cultural presence: Little India, Thaipusam festival, Tamil as an official language
🇲🇺 Mauritius
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Population: 68% of the country is of Indian origin
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Why popular: Descendants of indentured laborers from Bihar and UP
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Cultural presence: Hindi, Bhojpuri, Hindu festivals, Indian cuisine
🇫🇯 Fiji
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Population: ~38% Indo-Fijians
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Why popular: Historical British migration
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Cultural presence: Fiji Hindi, Diwali celebrations, temples and Indian food
🇿🇦 South Africa
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Population: 1.5 million+
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City: Durban (largest Indian population outside India)
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Why popular: Brought by British as sugar plantation workers
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Cultural presence: Indian festivals, cuisine, music, and cricket fans!
🎉 What the Indian Diaspora Brings to the World
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🪔 Festivals: Diwali, Holi, Pongal, Eid celebrated in many countries
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🍛 Food: Curry houses, dosa stalls, Indian sweets in global supermarkets
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🧘 Culture: Yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood, sarees, and Indian dance
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💵 Economy: Remittances from NRIs help India’s economy
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📚 Education & Tech: Indian-origin professionals contribute to innovation worldwide
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Country | Indian Population | Cultural Impact |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 4.5 million+ | CEOs, tech leaders, Diwali parades |
| UAE | 3.5 million+ | Bollywood, temples, Indian food |
| UK | 1.8 million+ | Indian MPs, Diwali festivals |
| Canada | 2 million+ | Punjabi culture, Indian TV |
| Malaysia | 2 million+ | Tamil temples, Indian cuisine |
| Singapore | 10% of population | Tamil language, Thaipusam |
| Mauritius | 68% of population | Hindi/Bhojpuri, Hindu culture |
| Fiji | 38% of population | Diwali, Fiji Hindi |
| South Africa | 1.5 million+ | Curry cuisine, Indian music |
🧠 Extra Insights
🔸 Remittances
Indians abroad send back billions of dollars every year to their families in India. In 2023, India received over $125 billion in remittances, making it the largest recipient globally.
🔸 Indian Soft Power
Through Bollywood, yoga, cricket, and cuisine, India’s cultural impact is global. Even countries with small Indian populations watch Indian movies, eat Indian food, and celebrate Indian festivals.
🔸 OCI (Overseas Citizen of India)
Many NRIs and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) apply for OCI cards, which allow them to visit India freely, invest in property, and participate in cultural events without visa hassle.
🔸 Indian Influence in Politics
There are many Indian-origin politicians globally:
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Rishi Sunak – UK Prime Minister
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Kamala Harris – US Vice President (Indian mother)
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Leo Varadkar – Former Irish PM (Indian father)
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Pravind Jugnauth – Prime Minister of Mauritius
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Antonio Costa – Prime Minister of Portugal (Indian origin)
❓ FAQs
Q. Which country has the largest Indian diaspora?
👉 The United States, with over 4.5 million people of Indian origin.
Q. Do Indians still speak native languages abroad?
👉 Yes! Tamil, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Malayalam, and more are spoken by second- and third-generation NRIs.
Q. How does India connect with its overseas citizens?
👉 Through OCI cards, Indian embassies, cultural centers, and events like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Q. Which country has Indian-origin Prime Ministers or Presidents?
👉 The UK (Rishi Sunak) and Mauritius have Indian-origin leaders.
Q. What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
👉 It’s a celebration of the Indian diaspora, held every year to honor the contribution of NRIs to India.
🧡 Final Words
The Indian diaspora is a global family. From entrepreneurs and scientists to artists and teachers, Indians across the world are making history and shaping the future. They carry India's rich heritage with them—wherever they go.
If you’re planning to travel, study, or work abroad, you’ll likely find a little piece of India outside India—and that’s truly beautiful.
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