The best way, they say, to explore a foreign land is to live and experience life as the locals do. But that is often hard to do when one is on a short vacation with no known connections. Guided tours are the popular solutions to this problem but for those who like to go it alone, this may prove a problem too. Fortunately, the Indian diaspora is spread far and wide across the globe which works well for the Indian tourist looking to make quick connections, explore, and bond with the locals in a foreign land. We have curated a list of countries that have large Indian populations and have more than a few Indian connections in terms of architecture, culture or food that may make you feel at home, even when far away from your home country.
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Visit these countries with a large Indian population
Countries With A Large Indian Population
1. Mauritius
Mauritius is a beautiful tropical destination and an island county that is off the coast of Africa. Clearwater, palm trees, and white sand beaches make this a popular tourist destination. But did you know that around 70% of the population in Mauritius is of Indian origin? So, finding your way around the country without a navigation app or having access to Indian food in Mauritius would not be a hard task at all. Arpita Kaushal says on the social platform, Quora, " I stayed in Mauritius for two years and they were amazing years. Mauritius felt like a home away from home. People look like Indians, and most of them understand both Hindi and English. And they are very helpful and nice. The country is beautiful and driving is an absolute dream." Quora user Wafaa Mooradhun agrees and adds, "There are many places to visit; Theme parks and adventure parks. Along with numerous spiritual places, you will feel right at home."
2. United Kingdom
This one likely comes as no surprise. A Report on the UK Cabinet Office Website states that in 2011, there were 1.4 million people from the Indian ethnic group in England and Wales, making up 2.5% of the total population. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), there are 17.6 lakh overseas Indians (Persons of Indian Origin and Non-resident Indians) in the United Kingdom largely populated in Leicester, Harrow, Birmingham and Brent. The UK even has an obvious cultural connection with India and that is evident from the many 'curry and kebab' shops that are available at almost every street corner in the major cities like London and Birmingham. There is also an architectural resonance besides the similarities in basic societal structures. For instance, they drive on the same side of the road as we do and they follow the metric system. In many parts of England, Scotland and Wales, Indians and people of Indian origin are fluent in many Indian languages and you will find numerous temples. mosques and gurudwaras in these places as well. But if you're looking for an area renowned for its 'Indianness' in England's capital, Wembley and Southall in London are famously dubbed as 'Little India'.
ExeprExperiencerich culture and architecture in the UK
3. United Arab Emirates
There is no doubt that the Emirates has a large Indian population which makes it easy for Indians to visit and fit into the UAE cultural landscape. According to the Indian Embassy in UAE, the Indian expatriate community is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly 30% of the country's population. The proximity of the Emirates to India also makes it a favourable destination for Indians to visit and settle. What may surprise Indian visitors as they pass by local stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is that many of the signboards have Indian languages on them. Malls and Bazaars are filled with traditional Indian clothing, food and wares imported from India. Meena Bazaar in Dubai is most famous for these. There are also multiple tours that help you discover the best of India in these cities. The 'Little India Trail' in Bur Dubai is one such example.
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Witness the skyscrapers in Dubai
4. Saudi Arabia
According to the Indian Embassy based in Riyadh, there are approximately 2.2 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia, with the second-highest number of Indian expatriate population after UAE. The cities with the highest Indian population are Jeddah and Riyadh. With such a large population of Indians present, the country has more than a few offerings in terms of Indian culture and cuisine which have helped make expats and tourists feel at home. But this country stands out from the rest in its Indian connection because of the annual Hajj pilgrimage which according to the embassy "is another important component of Indo-Saudi bilateral relations." The Crown Prince announced on his visit to New Delhi in 2019 that India's Hajj quota would be increased by 24,975 "enabling 2,00,000 Indians to perform Hajj. India has also digitized the Hajj process by providing the Hajj mobile app, health facility - e-MASIHA, e-luggage pre-tagging, and linking the HGOs (Hajj Group Organizers) with the digital system, which has simplified the procedures for pilgrims."
5. Singapore
A popular tourist destination for Indians, Singapore has approximately 6.5 lakh Indians according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Numerous Indian restaurants offer Indian cuisine, making it ideal for Indian tourists who want a taste of home away from home. Singapore even has a 'Little India' which is an ethnic district, located east of the Singapore River. This area in Singapore has a fascinating past which stretches back to the 19th century and now is home to many religious and architectural marvels such as Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and more. You can grab a bite at the myriad Indian multi-cuisine restaurants or shop at the Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour shopping mall which offers everything from electronics to groceries.
Enjoy the nightlife in Singapore
6. United States Of America
The US has a large Indian population with overseas Indians at a whopping 4.4 million according to India's MEA. Most of this population is concentrated in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles in California, Houston and Dallas Fort Worth in Texas, New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Atlanta. The country has numerous Indian cultural groups, Indian restaurants and shops, and stores for Indian-made goods and artefacts. But the Little Indias in the USA can be found in Artesia, which is one of the largest Indian enclaves in the country with around 120 shops catering to Indian customers. Little India in Edison and Iselin in New Jersey is reportedly the largest and most diverse South Asian cultural hub in the United States with around 400 South Asian shops for apparel, electronics, and entertainment, and roughly 60 Indian and Pakistani restaurants.
7. Canada
Canada is another spectacular tourist destination offering like so many others, picturesque landscapes, history and culture and a huge Indian population which has settled there for many decades. Good job opportunities, a higher standard of living, and good welfare and medical facilities have attracted Indians to Canada. According to the Indian MEA, Canada has over 1.68 million overseas Indians. The cities of Toronto and Vancouver have the largest Indian population in the country and Toronto has the Gerrard India Bazaar known as Little India. This is a commercial South Asian ethnic enclave in the neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario in Canada.
Canada's beautiful landscapes
8. South Africa
This one may come as a surprise, but South Africa also has a huge Indian population, many of whom have stayed there for generations. According to India's MEA, there are 1.5 million overseas Indians in the country. KwaZulu Natals Durban is known by South Africans as 'Little India with will find a thriving Indian population second only to cities in India. This area is also famous for its beaches, safari parks, green hills, sugarcane, and banana plantations.
Witness the forests and scenic locations of South Africa
With these many and more options to connect with the Indian diaspora and discover 'Mini Indias' outside of the country, you now have fewer reasons to feel homesick when visiting abroad.
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