ABSTRACT
Given the solid foundation of the bonding, Gulf countries are a convenient destination for Indian labour migrants, home to approximately 8.5 million Indians today. This nature of the Indian diaspora is quite distinct from that in other parts of the world, given that their stay is mostly on a temporary basis. These workers act as a bridge between the nation where they work and India, their homeland. They manage to expand Indian trade and investment as well as the range of India’s soft power by projecting Indian cultural activity in the region. In this chapter, the author explores some critical issues relating to the Gulf countries, including the idea that the Indian diaspora can exercise considerable influence on the foreign policy of their host countries through the use of soft power assets as well as coordinated efforts with their host lands.
