It can be beneficial for the country of origin and the host country, which is why many nations are trying to get the best professionals from countries like India and China.
Immigration is once again in the news. Countries across the globe are opening their doors to foreigners. The Canadian foreign minister last week announced that the country will welcome up to 300,000 new skilled immigrants, up from the earlier quote of 250,000. Tiny New Zealand is emerging as a leading destination for migrants while bigger neighbour Australia remains a perennial favourite of qualified professionals from India and other countries who want so start a new life.
Besides immigration, Indians are also going overseas for work in ever larger numbers. The United States has recently allowed more H1B visas. Indian doctors and nurses are found in places as diverse as Georgia to the United Kingdom. Recently, South Africa too started seeking skilled workers from India. A have-degree-will-travel kind of professional is emerging in India and is moving around the world. This is different from the earlier blue labour job-seeker who worked overseas.
A total of 150,000 or so people, including children, leave India every year as migrants. Given India’s population of over 1 billion, this is an insignificant number. But many of those who leave to seek out better prospects are a loss to India, especially those who chuck up a decent career. This is the original “brain-drain” that the country has seen for decades.
But there is a positive side too. For one thing, it will increase the clout of the Indian diaspora overseas. As things stand Indians are already the second largest overseas ethnic group in Canada after the Chinese, one of the most prosperous ethnic groups in the United States and fast becoming a vibrant presence in Australia.
The new influx will only strengthen that presence and perhaps soon begin to add a political dimension to a strong economic and cultural presence. There have been ministers and even provincial premiers of Indian origin in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. Many Indians thought lost to
India forever years ago have now contributed their funds and skills to developing the mother country.
Immigration is here to stay though it sometimes leads to social tensions, as is evident in much of Europe today. But it can also be a win-win situation for the country of origin and the host country which is why many nations are trying to get the best professionals from countries like India and China.
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