Migration, Diaspora, and Development: A South Asian Perspective

This book addresses key challenges and issues faced by South Asians in the diaspora, focusing on irregular migration, remittances, gender, identity, and citizenship, and how they are intertwined, particularly in the context of globalization.

South Asia has long played a significant role in the history of international migration. Today, its diasporas are among the largest in the world, reflecting the region’s immense diversity. The diversity found in South Asia is also represented in the South Asian diasporas. From the perspective of globalization and transnational migrations, the contribution of diasporic South Asians to their homelands and the host societies is immense. Lately, South Asian diasporas’ contribution to various ongoing and new development projects in their homelands has received the attention of researchers and policymakers alike. Hence, many homeland governments have taken multiple measures to woo the diasporas and vice versa. However, despite the efforts of the homeland, the diasporas continue to face various challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

This book is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, and students interested in migration studies, South Asian studies, globalization, and transnationalism.

The chapters in this book were originally published in South Asian Diaspora and are accompanied by a new Introduction.

Ajaya K. Sahoo is Professor and Head of the Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora at the University of Hyderabad, India. His research interests include migration, South Asian diaspora, and transnationalism. Some of his recent publications include the Routledge Handbook of South Asian Migrations (2024) and the Routledge Handbook of Asian Transnationalism (2023).