MELBOURNE: 200 Indian-Origin People Occupy Leadership Positions In 15 Countries: Report

MELBOURNE: More than 200 Indian origin
people occupy leadership positions in as many as 15 countries including the
United States and United Kingdom. Of these, 60 hold Cabinet ranks, according to
the first of its kind-released by a US-based organisation working among Indian
Expatriates. 

Drawing
from government websites and other publicly available resources, the 2021
Indiaspora Government Leaders List on Monday recognised more than 200 leaders of
Indian heritage who have ascended to the highest echelons of public service in
15 countries across the globe, with more than 60 of these leaders holding
Cabinet positions.

“It
is a huge source of pride to have the first woman and first person of colour as
the Vice President of the world’s oldest democracy be someone of Indian
heritage. We wanted to use this seminal moment on Presidents’ Day to
highlight a host of others in the diaspora who also are in public
service,” said Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur
and investor.

“These
leaders are building a legacy for future generations, and one that extends
beyond our community to all of the constituents and communities that they
serve,” he said in a statement.

The list
also includes diplomats, legislators, heads of central banks and senior civil
servants from countries with significant histories of Indian Expatriates
migration, such as Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

“It
is an honour to be included on the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List. As
the longest-serving Indian-American Member of Congress, I am proud to be a
leader in the Indian American community, which has become an integral part of
American life and society,” said congressman Ami Bera, Chairman of the US House
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia.

With more
than 32 million people of Indian-origin or (PIOs) globally, according to
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Indians are the largest expatriates
population in the world.

The
officials on the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List collectively represent
more than 587 million constituents, and their countries account for an
estimated USD 28 trillion in GDP, demonstrating the impact that these leaders
are having globally, Indiaspora said in a statement.

“It
truly is inspiring to note the remarkable contribution that government leaders
of Indian heritage have made to advance the societies that they now
represent,” said Rosy Akbar, Fiji’s Minister of Education, Heritage, and
Arts.

“For
a sizable segment of the population, it is government policy addressing social
injustices that lead to a transformative path of sustainable socio-economic
progress.”

The list
includes immigrants from India, as well as professionals born in countries such
as Singapore, South Africa, England, Canada and the US.

“As
a proud Indo-Canadian, it is an honour to be included in the 2021 Indiaspora
Government Leaders List alongside an accomplished and diverse group of leaders
from the India diaspora,” said Senator Ratna Omidvar.

“I
am eternally proud of my Indian heritage but also being Canadian. Canada has
given me its protection and its opportunities, and in return, I am committed to
making it a better place so that it continues to be a land of protection and
opportunity for future Canadians,” he said.

While
some of the officials are part of their country’s first wave of immigration,
arriving as refugees or for economic opportunities, others serving in their
governments are part of subsequent waves of diaspora, who came for educational
opportunities, or are of subsequent generations, Indiaspora said.

“It
is inspiring to see the number of Indian diaspora who are entering the public
arena,” said Indiaspora Board Member Arun Kumar, chairman and CEO at KPMG
India, who served as assistant secretary of commerce in the Obama
administration.

“Having
had the opportunity to serve, I can speak to what a memorable and fulfilling
experience it was. Above all, it was a meaningful way to give back. My hope is
that this cohort of leaders will set an example for even more of the Indian
diaspora to aspire to public service,” Mr Kumar said.