India Seeking it's Diaspora in South Africa

Responses from the South African Indians

Abstract

Since independence the Government of India chose to follow a policy of disassociation with its Diaspora, continuously giving them advise to adapt to the culture as well as aspirations of their host countries. Many a times the Government of India has not been able to provide the kind of support that the Diaspora needed in the most difficult times. But, all this suddenly changed post-globalization when India adopted a policy of active association towards its Diaspora. This left the Indian Diaspora in general and the Indian Diaspora in South Africa in particular confused. The series of policies and programmes that ensued soon after the change in Diaspora policy like organizing the annual Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas led to a lot of criticism from the South African Indians. With this background, the paper tries to analyse the role of the South African Indians in nation-building in South Africa, the policies of the Indian government to re-engage this diaspora and current challenges that India faces while engaging with its Diaspora in South Africa.