An Indian diaspora numbering less than one thousand can usually be found in smaller countries, insulars or places with minimum immigration links to India. Even though there is limited data for every country, here are a few country examples with presumed small Indian populace:
- Vatican City – Less than 10 Indians
- Tuvalu – Indian population is negligible
- Nauru – Less than 100 Indians
- Palau – Indian population is small
- San Marino – Less than 100 Indians
- Liechtenstein – Indian population is small
- Monaco – Indians are below 1000
- Andorra – Indian population is small
- Marshall Islands – Less than 100 Indians
- Kiribati – Indian population is negligible
- Micronesia – Less than 100 Indians
- Greenland – Indians are few in number
- Faroe Islands – Less than 100 Indians
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – Indian population is small
- Dominica – Less than 1000 Indians
Estimates such as these tend to focus on particular aspects and in practice, many of these countries are low in Indian citizens due to undergoing migration patterns.
The Indian diaspora has expanded over the years due to an intricate weave of history, economics, and social migration. Take a look at how Indian emigrants manage to live in countries with small populations and where they originated from:
How Indians Reached These Countries
1. Movement Through Time:
– From the foreign-owned Indian plantations, In colonial times, French, Dutch, and British colonies sourced Indians as indentured servants. A lot of them were sent to bigger colonies such as Trinidad and Guyana, while some were sent to Mauritius. Indentured Indians also settled in other smaller territories.
– For Saint Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, this explains the origin of the Indian population.
2. Increasing Changes:
– In the past few decades, Indian workers with skills ranging from professional to semi skilled have immigrated to economically smaller countries to fill out gaps in construction healthcare, hospitality, and education.
– Indians in Palau or Micronesia can be found working in the tourism and healthcare industries or teaching in schools.
3. Overseas Representation:
– Small countries host Indian diplomats, United Nations personnel, and other international professionals based in India.
– In Vatican city or Monaco Indians can be found as well as other diplomats, religious workers, or international organization staff.
4. Indian Imports:
– For reasons such as establishing trading companies, restaurants, and grocery shops, some Indians tend to migrate to these small countries.
– In Andorra or Liechtenstein, some Indians run small businesses to meet the demands of the local population.
5. Education and Research:
– Students and researchers sometimes move to smaller countries for specialized education or academic projects.
– Example: Indians in Greenland or Faroe Islands may be involved in environmental or Arctic research.
6. Marriage and Family Ties:
– Some Indians move to smaller countries through marriage or family reunification.
– Example: Indians in San Marino or Monaco may have married locals or joined family members already residing there.
How They Sustain Their Lives
1. Employment:
– Indians in smaller economy countries find employment in health care, education, tourism, and even construction. They frequently fill skill shortages in those countries.
– Example: Smaller economies frequently look for Indian Nurses, Medical doctors, and even teachers.
2. Business Ownership:
– Indians are known to own and operate small scale businesses including convenience stores, small eateries, or small trading firms. These businesses serve both the local population and foreigners.
3. Community Networks:
– Smaller groups of Indians typically create associations to help each other face socio-economic challenges even in a foreign country.
– Example: Some of these associations may include cultural or faith-based ones.
4. Remittances and Savings:
– Most of these Indians work on a temporary basis in smaller countries and remit some of their earnings to families back in India. Many of them try to accumulate earnings in order to return or start business back home.
5. Adaptation to Local Culture:
– Indians in these countries tend to speak the local dialect which assists them in adapting and sustaining their livelihoods in the country.
6. Return Migration:
– A proportion of these Indians eventually go back to India or move to medium and bigger countries to get better opportunities after gaining some experience or savings.
Challenges They Face
1. Isolation:
– In countries with very small Indian populations, individuals may feel culturally isolated due to the lack of a larger community.
2. Limited Economic Opportunities:
– Smaller countries often have limited job markets which can restrict career growth.
3. Cultural Differences:
– Adapting to a vastly different culture and language can be challenging.
4. Distance from India:
– Being far from family and friends in India can be emotionally difficult.
Why They Leave
1. Better Opportunities Elsewhere:
– Many Indians in smaller countries eventually move to larger nations like the US, Canada or the UK for better economic and educational opportunities.
2. Family Reunification:
– Some return to India or move to countries where their families are settled.
3. End of Work Contracts:
– Many Indians in smaller countries are on temporary work visas and leave once their contracts expire.
4. Cultural and Social Reasons:
– The lack of a large Indian community or cultural infrastructure can lead some to relocate to countries with larger Indian populations.
Indians in those countries with very small populations often migrate for specific opportunities and sustain themselves through employment, entrepreneurship and community support. However, many eventually move to larger countries or return to India due to limited opportunities or cultural isolation.