About one month after the election results were announced and the new government took charge, what do non-resident Indians feel, and what are their expectations?
I spoke to several senior executives in Indonesia and China about their wishlist from the new government.
Political participation and cooperation
NRIs seek greater inclusion in the political process. They expect the right to vote in Indian elections without having to be physically present in India, ensuring their voices are heard even from abroad. However, only about 118,000 NRIs registered to vote in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, out of which 12,000 were eligible voters, predominantly from Kerala.
The logistical challenges of traveling back to India to vote means many NRIs cannot participate directly in the electoral process. Additionally, they desire representation in legislative bodies or advisory councils, allowing them to voice their concerns and interests directly. Engagement in policy-making processes that affect the diaspora is also crucial, as it ensures that their unique perspectives and needs are considered in the governance of India.
Poonam Sagar, Founder of Indoindians, Jakarta says, “OCI/PIO are said to have all rights as an Indian citizen except to vote & own agricultural land – however in reality there are many differences in policies, paperwork and taxation.”
Soumen Biswas, Founder, Smartfactory4u, Shanghai, says, “Since moving to China in 2006, I’ve seen India’s global reputation soar during Modi’s tenure. As an NRI, I would be thrilled to see India-China relations improve even more rapidly.” According to many Indian business folk resident in China, the potential for India China trade is immense, and mutually beneficial as the balance of world power tilts eastwards.
Business and Investment
In fiscal year 2023- 24, the Indian diaspora, scattered across the globe, set a record by sending more than $100 billion in remittances to their families back home in India. This figure not only surpassed the previous milestone but also emphasised the key role of the Indian diaspora in India’s financial inflows.
It’s worth noting that these remittances exceeded the combined net Foreign Direct Investment level and portfolio investment amounting to $54 billion. The scale at which Indians received their remittances in 2023 even exceeded the GDP of 11 countries recorded in 2022.
While NRIs have been repatriating such large sums back to India, they find it almost impossible to raise funds for their own ventures overseas.
Bipin Mishra, Founder and CEO, Ketitik.com, makes an appeal to policymakers in India. “As an Indian national running a startup in Indonesia, we would love if grants and support provided by Government of India is passed to us as well. It has become very difficult for Indians to invest in Non Indian startups, if an exemption can be made for Indians to invest in Indian-owned foreign based start-ups, it will be a great”.
Sagar would like the government to ease the repatriation of money from NRE accounts to NRIs, as well as make it easier for NRIs to invest in various financial schemes in India. “NRI’s need to maintain an active Indian phone number to manage their bank accounts etc in India – despite the advances in technology, this is still an issue. Aadhar card is required for most transactions in India, but it is difficult to get for NRI’s who have been overseas for many years and for OCI/PIO. Also, property sale TDS should be at par with resident Indians; after all NRI’s are also Indian citizens,” she explained.
Connectivity and fostering cultural ties
In December 2019, India and China were connected through 539 direct passenger flights. Now there are none.
IndiGo and Air India had operated flights to China while Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines, had connected Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to Indian cities.
The two countries suspended these flights during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent border clashes in June 2020. Flights have not resumed four years on. In the absence of direct flights, travelers between India and China must rely on connecting flights through third countries, such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore. The detour adds time and cost.
The lack of direct flights between the two nations poses major challenges for hundreds of Indians who study in China as well as the families of many Indians, including businessmen, who began to work in China after travel restrictions were lifted by both countries in 2022.
Low levels of air connectivity are also a hindrance to trade and tourism between India and Indonesia. The island nation’s Hindu heritage can be leveraged for enhancing traffic into India, and much more can be done to promote various Indian destinations amongst the Indonesian population. “Tourism in India is underdeveloped while it has a massive potential. With safety measures and promotions, I would love to have more of my Indonesian friends travel and marvel at India,” says Mishra.
Personal and family
Many NRIs maintain close ties with their home country, and eventually wish to return. They expect the government to make that return smooth and hassle free. Sagar would like to see an enhanced duty-free allowance upon transfer of residence, and an increase in health insurance coverage. There also needs to be opportunities for NRI children to participate in national level entrance exams through satellite examination points at the Indian embassy in different countries.
Biswas says: “Religious and communal harmony is the most important for Indians living in India. However, it gets more crucial for Indian expats. It has the ability to impact their survival in some parts of the world. Hence. I hope that the government continues to ensure that religious harmony remains intact.”
He added: “I wish to see the government put significant effort into improving civic sense in our society. Great nations are built on the foundation of responsible and thoughtful citizens. Promoting civic awareness through social media, educational videos, and campaigns at transport hubs, schools, and workplaces can foster a more conscientious and responsible society, helping to build a stronger nation.”
Kunal Sinha is a senior strategy and foresights executive based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is the author of several books including The Future of India’s Rural Markets and Raw – Pervasive Creativity in Asia. He writes for MxMIndia every other Monday. His views here are personal.