Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the Indian diaspora, referring to them as the nation’s “strongest ambassadors.” He praised their integral role in embodying India’s diverse heritage, asserting that such diversity runs deep in “our blood and culture.” During his three-day sojourn in the United States, Modi addressed a vibrant gathering at the iconic Nassau Coliseum in New York, where he elaborated on the indomitable bond established between India and America through the diaspora’s unparalleled skill and dedication.
"You have forged vital connections—India with America, and America with India,” he celebrated, further exclaiming, “I salute each of you!” As he emphasized the contributions of this community, he poetically compared the abbreviation ‘AI,’ typically denoting Artificial Intelligence, to also symbolize the spirited alliance between America and India.
Earlier, Modi engaged in a bilateral dialogue with President Joe Biden and participated in the Quad Summit at the President’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware. On the last leg of his American visit, he is slated to address the Summit of Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The prime minister’s accolades bring to light some compelling statistics underpinning his comments:
By the Numbers
Globally, there are approximately 15.85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs), complemented by 19.57 million individuals of Indian origin. With an impressive 2.4 million in the United States alone, India boasts the largest immigrant presence abroad, followed by significant populations in the UK (835,000), Canada (720,000), and Australia (579,000). Alarmingly, about 30 percent of these individuals had made their way to the US before the year 2000, while a dramatic 50 percent arrived post-2010, according to the Indian Express.
Predominantly, they reside in New York and California, contributing significantly to various sectors. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the United States issued a remarkable 73 percent of its work visas, equating to around 320,000, directly to Indian nationals. Notably, there are about 3.3 million individuals of Indian heritage currently residing in the US.
V N Balasubramanyam, an esteemed economics professor at Lancaster University, encapsulated the impact succinctly: “In terms of the global economy and their purchasing power, the influence is substantial.”
Taxes
While Indian-Americans represent a mere 1.5 percent of the US populace, they account for nearly 6 percent of the nation’s income tax revenue. This translates to an astonishing $250 billion to $300 billion annually.
Fortune 500 Companies
Indian-origin professionals command respect at the helm of 16 Fortune 500 companies, including the likes of Google’s Sundar Pichai, Palo Alto Networks’ Nikesh Arora, and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella. Collectively, these corporations produce a staggering $1 trillion in revenue and provide jobs for about 2.7 million Americans.
In a remarkable display of entrepreneurial spirit, Indian-Americans have founded 72 out of 650 unicorn startups in the US, their aggregate valuations reaching a jaw-dropping $195 billion while employing over 55,000 individuals.
Hotels and Convenience Stores
In the hospitality sector, Indian-Americans dominate by owning roughly 60 percent of hotels across the US, yielding around $700 billion in revenues and employing 4 million people. Additionally, they control 35 to 40 percent of convenience stores, contributing another $350 billion to $500 billion in revenue. Indian enterprises have poured approximately $40 billion into the US economy, generating an impressive 43 million jobs.
Youth and Median Income
With a median age of 36, Indian-Americans are notably younger than the national average. This community also enjoys a higher financial standing, boasting a median household income hovering around $150,000—substantially more than the national median of $75,000. In contrast, Chinese immigrants report a median income exceeding $95,000.
Healthcare
One particularly striking statistic: one in ten physicians practicing in the United States identifies as Indian-American, serving around 30 percent of the patient demographic.
Charity
The philanthropic spirit of Indian-Americans shines brightly, with annual contributions to charity ranging from $1.5 billion to $2 billion. Furthermore, since 2008 they have donated approximately $3 billion to American colleges.
Academia
Among the top 50 US colleges, 35 showcase the prominence of Indian individuals. The evolution is unmistakable—from securing 2 percent of all patents in 1975 to achieving a remarkable 10 percent by 2019. Furthermore, Indian scholars accounted for 11 percent of National Institutes of Health grants in 2023 and contributed to 13 percent of scientific publications. Current statistics reveal that 22,000 Indian-origin faculty serve in US institutions, approximating 2.6 percent of all academic staff.
Education
Approximately 80 percent of Indian immigrants over the age of schooling have attained at least a bachelor’s degree—a stark contrast to 50 percent among Chinese immigrants and 30 percent for other native populations. Notably, about 49 percent of Indian immigrants possess a graduate or professional degree, vastly exceeding the figures for other groups.
In Politics
The influence of Indian-Americans stretches into the political realm, evidenced by Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Nikki Haley’s bids for the presidency in 2024. Currently, five Indian-Americans serve in Congress, informally dubbed the “Samosa Caucus”: Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ami Bera, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Furthermore, around 150 Indian-Americans hold significant positions within the Biden-Harris administration.
Popularity of India in the US
In public sentiment, India enjoys considerably more favor than many other nations, particularly when juxtaposed with China. A recent Gallup poll indicated that a mere 27 percent of respondents perceived India unfavorably, compared to a staggering 84 percent for China. Interestingly, in 2023, one out of ten Americans reported practicing yoga, with approximately 36,000 yoga studios flourishing across the nation.
Impact in the UK
The presence of the Indian diaspora in the UK also speaks volumes. According to a 2021 census from The Times of India, Indians outshine other ethnic groups in educational attainment and professional representation. Notably, a resounding 71 percent of Indian-ethnicity individuals own homes in England and Wales, while they and the Chinese comprise 34 percent of all professional sectors, including healthcare and academia. Not to mention, at least 19 individuals of Indian descent are currently serving in the UK’s House of Commons, including Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister.
The statistics continuously underscore the indispensable contributions of the Indian diaspora across the globe, exemplifying their pivotal role in enhancing the socio-economic fabric of their adopted countries.
