India’s diaspora influenced more by vision than politics

The commentary, “How India’s diaspora influences nation’s politics” (Nov 20), fails to acknowledge that the non-resident Indians’ support and exuberance for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is beyond orchestration by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The populations of Indian origin, living in regions more developed than their homeland, are able to connect with Mr Modi’s vision focusing on growth and the “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” doctrine (Sanskrit for “the world is one family”) while reinforcing nationalist sentiments. Perhaps no Indian leader earlier has tried to connect with the overseas Indian population in the manner Mr Modi has.

To say the endeavour is merely politically motivated would be unreasonable, in view of his appeals to the audience to take pride in their roots, to invest financially in India to the extent they can and to work towards promoting India’s image. Well-educated Indian masses living and working abroad see this as a refreshing deviation from the traditional politics.

Recently, anti-Modi forces have resorted to propagating an image of growing intolerance in India, with the aim of attacking and maligning the government as being responsible for an insecure atmosphere, using the example of some incidents of violence.

Those politicians have been insensitive to the nation’s image for the sake of their political interests.

This does not sit well with the diaspora, who realises the vested motives in such propaganda and would not want to be identified with a damaged image of the country of their roots or citizenship. This could be another reason for the non-residents to have greater leaning towards Mr Modi.

Another set of pseudo-secular Indian politicians have tried talking about terrorist activities, almost to the extent of defending the culprits, not realising such an approach to appeasement will not go far in winning them favour with the minority.

Non-resident Indians living in multicultural foreign surroundings disapprove of those ulterior motives and tend to appreciate egalitarianism and peace.