Indian diaspora plays significant part in shaping UAE’s social and economic fabric, says Indiaspora report

Indiaspora

, a non-profit organisation and network of global Indian-origin leaders, has released a report on the

Indian Diaspora

in the

UAE

: From Ancient Legacy to Modern Triumphs, in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as part of its Forum for Good conference. The report, which has been authored jointly with The Boston Consulting Group, focuses on the Indian diaspora that has played a significant part in shaping the UAE’s social and economic fabric for decades.
“A population estimated to have grown from around 5000 in 1975 to a 3.9 million strong expatriate community today; the Indian diaspora has emerged as a key stakeholder in the growing influence of UAE on the global stage. The Indian diaspora is supporting the Gulf Cooperation Council’s international relations and, in turn, gaining greater visibility and influence in global affairs. In a world shaped by rapid geopolitical changes, economic transformation and technological progress, it is important to evaluate the influence and future path of this community,” the report says.
“The UAE is among the seven countries at the core of our work at Indiaspora. In the past four years, we have done quite a bit of activity in the UAE and now want to increase our visibility not just for the UAE but as a springboard for the GCC and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. Our organisation is a platform and amplifier for the diaspora to collaborate, build community engagement, and catalyze social change and we are focused on different topics including entrepreneurship, philanthropy, trade, geopolitics, healthcare, art, culture, cuisine, AI, and literature in this region and others,” Indiaspora executive director, Sanjeev Joshipura, told the Times of India, at the launch of the report.
The Indian diaspora is a part of the UAE’s transition beyond oil dependency towards a knowledge-based economy driven by high-growth sectors such as AI, technology, and fintech, the report says. “Their expertise and entrepreneurial spirit will add to the UAE’s competitive edge and global positioning. Understanding the contributions, challenges, and evolving role of Indian expatriates in the UAE is essential to harness their potential in the next phase of UAE-India relations.”

“Our report on the Indian diaspora in the UAE, with Indiaspora, provides a platform to look at the extent of meaningful contribution by the Indian diaspora in their karma bhumi,” Sesh Iyer, managing director and senior partner BCG X, told the Times of India. He added that the findings of the report show the impact of the small Indian community in the UAE and highlight important points such as the relationship of trust between India and the UAE and the huge economic value of the growing trade relationship. “The report also makes a point around innovation with many companies with Indian founders working on areas such as AI, blockchain, and crypto. The market here is $50 billion and there’s a lot to be done. Like in many other countries globally, the Indians also provide talent in the UAE. Over 400,000 kids, who are going to shape the next generation, are being trained and educated at schools run by Indians, and in the healthcare sector in UAE there are 25,000 Indian doctors and 55,000 Indian nurses,” Iyer said. Cultural synergies, the simplicity of doing business, religious freedom, high-standard educational facilities, and a good work-life balance have made the UAE very attractive not just for Indian entrepreneurs and professionals but their families as well, he felt. “Local government leaders are forward thinking and have created a business-friendly environment in the journey of moving beyond an oil economy. The UAE was, in fact, the first country to create an AI ministry in 2017.”
The report estimates the Indian expatriate community at approximately 3.9 million, making up around 30% of the UAE population. And while historically Indians from Kerala constituted the largest share of this diaspora, followed by migrants from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; the more recent expansion in migration from north Indian states has added to the regional diversity of Indian diaspora in the UAE.
Though the UAE rarely grants citizenship to non-Emiratis, it has eased visa restrictions and fast-tracked the processes including the golden visa, according to the report. And the Indian diaspora is drawn to the openness, ease of doing business, and shared cultural elements in the UAE. Despite this increasingly positive ecosystem, significant challenges remain, particularly for blue-collar diaspora. “While labour conditions have improved over the years, issues related to workplace safety, long working hours, and the quality of accommodation persist. Additionally, the high cost of living, healthcare, and education prevents many blue-collar workers from considering a long-term stay in the UAE.”
The report highlights Indian-owned business groups that are among top investors in the UAE including the Nikai Group of Companies, founded by Mr Shahdadpuri, that has rapidly expanded into one of the fastest growing OEM manufacturers operating in 52 countries; the Lulu Group, founded by Mr

Yusuff Ali

, which is the largest full-line retailer across the GCC region, generating an annual revenue of $7.3 billion; Landmark Group, founded by Micky Jagtiani; and Joyalukkas, founded by Joy Alukkas.
The report also focuses on the impact of the Indian diaspora on healthcare and education in the UAE. A significant number of doctors and nurses in the UAE are of Indian origin making them an integral part of the nation’s healthcare ecosystem. Besides Indian entrepreneurs including Dr Azad Moopen (Aster Healthcare); Dr

Shamsheer Vayalil

(VPS Healthcare); Dr Zulekha Daud (

Zulekha Healthcare

) have set new benchmarks in medical excellence in the Emirates.
The Indian diaspora is also driving humanitarian in the UAE including Dr Vayalil announcing a philanthropic initiative to sponsor 50 life saving heart surgeries for children, in January 2024, the report states.