In what ways are the Non-Resident Indians contributing to India?

  1. NRIs send $70 billion (Rs. 4.2 lakh crores) every year to India. That is just 25% less than the total Indian government's plan expenditure ($94 billion). In essence, the few NRIs put almost as much money in India as the whole of the Indian central government. Why Does India Beat China In the Remittance Game?
  2. It is not just the quantum of money, but the type of it is even more juicy. The remittances are in the form of dollars and thus substantially reducing India's currency risks. 23 years ago, India was practically bankrupt with Manmohan taking whatever little gold India had to London and get the precious dollars. Those dollars are needed to buy crude oil, machinery, vegetable oil etc. NRIs make sure such a dollar shortage never happened after that.
  3. NRIs bring the best practices of the rest of the world back home. Gandhi, Nehru, Netaji and Patel were NRIs at one point. Then there were guys like Sam Pitroda who helped India open up. Plenty of my professors in business school often fly back to India to advice the government on various things. For instance, my global strategy professor was a top advisor helping the government on dealing with foreign companies, in the Narasimha Rao period. Plenty of charities like Asha and AID start elsewhere before moving back.
  4. Overseas Indians shape foreign policy. This organization - United States India Political Action Committee - relentlessly works to build Indo-US relationships. Back in my college days, I used to volunteer for them and we used to get top ministers & businessmen from India and connect them with top American officials. During the nuclear deal and other big deals, this group spent nights hard working. The office bearers Surabhi and Sanjay with Hillary Clinton. 
  5. NRIs help bring tourism. Plenty of NRIs take their US friends back home for weddings or just showing them around. They also help pique people's interest outside. I often act as an overseas tourist guide helping people plan trips ;-)
  6. NRIs help non-Indians understand Indian culture in a positive way. I often see weddings with white Americans that happen in Hindu temples. Many Americans have a genuine interest in Indian culture and NRIs help them enjoy it at the comfort of their home. Every US town now has major temples like this. 
  7. Finally, overseas Indians bring new business to India. They often take up top assignments in the India offices of major MNCs and help bridge the transition. They help in tech export.
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