Migration, diaspora and development: impressions from India

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual overview of potential diasporic influence in India by Indian diaspora and to outline a wide spectrum of policy interventions for better utilisation of diasporic resources, which are under-exploited.

This paper used a systematic review approach to analyze the vast empirical and theoretical literature, up to 2016, and to assess the different kinds of impacts of diaspora on the homeland. A list of top-tier journals in the field of international migration, diaspora and ethnic entrepreneurship was compiled. From there, each and every paper was identified, examined, coded and classified into high-level themes. These were then reviewed, analyzed and interpreted.

Indian diasporic affair has undergone numerous changes since India’s independence. This study presents a conceptual framework on the role of migration and diaspora in the country of origin with a special focus on India and point out the possible directions for future studies.

The systematic review approach has a qualitative nature, in which the relevant literature was interpreted based on the authors’ domain knowledge and expertise.

Academicians and policy practitioners can gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationships among the key influential factors in migration, diaspora and its developmental role in homeland, as presented in the conceptual framework in the study. Accordingly, policymakers will be able to develop effective strategies to leverage the positive impacts of diasporic role in India and the other South-Asian developing countries.

This systematic review synthesizes the findings reported in most recent publications and government reports and develops an integrated conceptual framework, anchoring on possible positive impacts of diaspora in homeland. This framework provides a visual diagram to practitioners for a better understanding of the relevant literature and assists researchers and policymakers in developing a new strategy for future diasporic affairs.