India has one of the world's most diverse and complex migration histories. Since the 19th century, ethnic Indians have ESTABLISHED communities on every continent as well as on islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The composition of flows has evolved over time from mainly indentured labor in far-flung colonies to postwar labor for British industry to high-skilled professionals in North America and low-skilled workers in the Middle East. In addition, ethnic Indians in countries like Kenya and Suriname have migrated to other countries, a movement called secondary migration.

This profile provides a broad overview of Indian migration flows and major populations worldwide, both in the past and more recently, as well as their remittances and contributions to India.

It then discusses India's POLICIES toward its diaspora, India's own immigration policies, and immigration to India, including ECONOMIC migrants from Nepal, refugees and ASYLUM seekers from the region, and illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.