Role Of Indian Diaspora in Shaping the Geopolitical Landscape of The Indo-Pacific Region

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific has surfaced as a novel geopolitical discourse, serving as a convergence zone with significant strategic, economic, and political ramifications for global powers. The Indian diaspora has significantly influenced the geopolitical shift from the mental map of this discourse space and in shaping this geopolitical landscape. This study aims to explore the role of the Indian diaspora in influencing the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific through economic, cultural and diplomatic engagements. The present study seeks to address fundamental research inquiries, including: in what ways does the Indian diaspora impact India’s geopolitical strategies within the Indo-Pacific region, and what methods and approaches do they employ. The study uses a qualitative methodological approach to incorporate data analysis related to diplomatic engagement, trade, and investment flows influenced by the diaspora. The relevance of this study lies in the heightened recognition of diaspora diplomacy as a soft power tool and its potential to strengthen India’s geopolitical influence in the region with significant power shifts. The expected outcomes include identifying how the Indian diaspora is a strategic asset for India, how they boost economic ties, and how their contribution to soft power policy makes regional inclusive interconnectedness.