The biggest diaspora in the world is the Indian diaspora. This diaspora consists of people of Indian origin living outside the Indian subcontinent, either as citizens of another nation or as expatriates. As of 2019, there were an estimated 29.9 million people of Indian origin living outside India, making it one of the largest diasporas in the world.
The Indian diaspora can be traced back to the diaspora of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Hindu kingdoms of South India that arose in the early centuries CE. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, a large number of Indians left India for various countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. This exodus was often triggered by economic factors, such as the lack of opportunities in India or discrimination against Indians in the workplace in other countries.
The Indian diaspora also includes people of mixed Indian and non-Indian descent, including those of mixed British, Chinese, and Indian descent in countries like Malaysia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. There are also people of Indian descent in the Middle East, East Africa, and South East Asia.
Indian immigrants have made significant contributions to the societies in which they live. In the United Kingdom, for example, Indian-origin people comprise the largest ethnic minority group and make up around 4% of the population. Indian immigrants have made major contributions to the UK economy, as well as to the country’s culture, cuisine, and arts. In the United States, Indian immigrants are the largest Asian subgroup and make up around 1% of the population. They have made major contributions to the US economy and the country’s technology sector in particular.
Overall, the Indian diaspora is one of the most successful and influential diasporas in the world. Indian immigrants have made significant contributions to the societies where they have settled, and have helped to shape the cultural and economic landscape of many countries.