The Indian diaspora consists of low- and semi-skilled migrants mainly tothe Middle-East; migration of the highly-skilled to developed countries;and cross-border students who seek employment and remain in their hostcountries. India initially viewed the migration of the best educated fromits prestigious institutions as ‘brain drain’. However, with the reverse flowof these professionals, the diaspora came to be seen as ‘brain gain’. Thehighly-skilled Indian diaspora assumed positions of responsibility in thecorporate world, in academia (including Nobel laureates), and in the politicaland social spheres in some host countries, thereby enhancing India’simage abroad.
Key words: India, skilled migration, human aspirations, brain drain, braingain