The New Prejudice: Why Indians Are Becoming Targets in the West

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Digital Hate, Real Consequences, and What America Must Learn Before It’s Too Late

Racism against Indians (especially the Indian diaspora) is growing and has become a serious global issue.

Recent data shows that racism against Indians has become an increasingly serious global concern, especially in the last three years. Studies by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) reveal that anti-Indian hate on X has surged sharply, with 680 high-engagement racist posts generating more than 281 million views, many labelling Indians as “job thieves,” “invaders,” or calling for deportation. In Canada alone, over 26,600 anti–South Asian (mainly anti-Indian) hate posts were recorded between 2023 and 2025, accompanied by a 227% rise in police-reported hate crimes against South Asians. Research also shows that racial hate online is increasingly spilling into real-world violence, including attacks on Indian students and vandalism of Indian cultural or religious sites. In the United States, broader Asian-American data shows that 1 in 3 people faced racial abuse last year, and underreporting means the true scale is likely higher. Additionally, economic anxiety and immigration debates—especially around H-1B visas—are intensifying hostility toward Indians, while AI studies reveal deeper systemic bias against Indian identities. Together, this evidence shows that racism against Indians is not isolated but a fast-growing, digitally amplified, and globally visible problem with real-world consequences, making it a critical issue of concern today.

Why Many Indians Abroad Do Not Raise Their Voice Against Racism

Many Indians abroad do not raise their voice against racism not because they accept discrimination, but because they are trapped in a complex web of fear, vulnerability, and survival pressures. Their lives often depend on fragile visa systems—student visas, work permits, employer sponsorships, or pending residency applications—where one complaint can feel like a threat to their job, renewal, or future. Racism often comes from professors, managers, or authorities who hold real power, making the risk of retaliation extremely high. Added to this is a cultural conditioning deeply rooted in Indian society that teaches people to “adjust,” “ignore,” and “not create a scene,” which continues even in foreign lands.

Many Indians are also unaware of the legal protections available to them or how to navigate foreign complaint systems, while isolation and lack of community support make speaking up feel lonely and dangerous. On top of this, Indians are expected to maintain the “model minority” image—hardworking, quiet, obedient—which discourages any act that might portray them as “trouble-makers.” For most migrants, survival takes priority over activism; they are focused on paying rent, covering tuition, sending money home, building careers, or securing permanent residency, leaving little emotional strength to fight discrimination.

Many also lack trust in local authorities, fearing their complaints will be dismissed or ignored, and victims often experience gaslighting, being told they “misunderstood” or are “overreacting.” Even within Indian diaspora communities, people discourage reporting racism, claiming it will “affect all Indians,” which further pressures individuals into silence. Ultimately, the silence of Indians abroad is not evidence of acceptance—it is a reflection of the systemic forces that make speaking up risky, exhausting, or impossible. Their silence is not peace; it is fear—and no society committed to justice should ever expect people to suffer quietly.

Why Racism Against Indians Becomes a National Issue — Not Just a Personal One

Racism against Indians abroad is not an isolated personal problem; it becomes a national issue because its impact goes far beyond one individual’s experience. When an Indian is discriminated against due to their skin colour, accent, nationality, or identity, the message being sent is not to one person but to India as a nation.

India is the world’s largest democracy, the 5th-largest economy, and home to one of the most influential diasporas, with over 32 million Indians living abroad. When that many citizens contribute globally — from universities to hospitals to technology, research, defence, and entrepreneurship — racism against them directly affects India’s foreign relations, its soft power, its economic influence, and its international reputation.

First, there is an economic dimension: Indian students alone contribute billions of dollars to foreign economies; Indian professionals sustain technology, research, and healthcare systems in countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Gulf. When racism threatens their safety and dignity, it becomes a national concern because it affects mobility, investment, student decisions, and bilateral relationships. Their economic contribution is not personal — it is strategic capital for India.

Second, racism impacts India’s diplomatic standing. If Indian citizens are regularly targeted abroad and host governments fail to address it, it signals weak protection for a major global community, forcing India to respond at the diplomatic level. It shapes how India is perceived and treated on the international stage. Every attack on an Indian becomes part of a larger pattern that India must address through foreign policy, not individual complaint.

Third, racism directly affects India’s soft power — its global image, culture, and credibility. Indians are major contributors to global culture, entertainment, technology, medicine, literature, and business. If they are stereotyped, humiliated, or targeted, the damage is done to India’s cultural identity worldwide. Protecting diaspora dignity is protecting India’s national identity itself.

Fourth, racism creates strategic vulnerability. If Indian students feel unsafe, if Indian professionals lose workplace security, if Indian workers abroad face exploitation, this weakens India’s leverage with foreign governments, reduces diaspora participation in diplomacy, and harms India’s global influence.

Finally, racism becomes a national issue because Indians abroad are extensions of India. They represent the nation, its values, its capabilities, and its global rise. Just as countries like China, Israel, and Japan aggressively defend their citizens abroad, India too must treat racism against its diaspora as a matter of national interest, not individual complaint. When a foreign society insults an Indian on the basis of identity, it is not just attacking a person — it is challenging the dignity of 1.4 billion people.

That is why racism against Indians is not “a personal problem.”
It is a national, economic, diplomatic, and strategic issue, and it demands a national-level response.

How Racism Is Expressed Toward Indians Abroad

Many Indians abroad encounter racism through a mix of verbal stereotypes, social exclusion, and subtle discriminatory behaviour. People may question their “belonging” by asking where they really come from, implying they are outsiders even if they are citizens. Many Indians are stereotyped as “cheap labour,” “IT workers,” or “call-centre people,” reducing their identity to narrow roles.

Others face comments about their accent, food, skin tone, or cultural practices, often framed as jokes but rooted in prejudice. Some individuals mock Indian English, make insensitive remarks about curry, or repeat clichés about hygiene, income levels, or overpopulation. In workplaces and universities, Indians may be treated as less competent, assumed to lack leadership qualities, or overlooked for opportunities due to biased perceptions. At the harsher end, some may face avoidance in public spaces, rude behaviour, or being spoken to in a condescending tone. Altogether, these verbal and behavioural patterns function as everyday racism—subtle or explicit actions that signal Indians are “less than,” “different,” or “not fully accepted,” even when they contribute equally to society.

WISDOM COMES ONLY WHEN YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND INDIA

★ “Indians Are the Key Economic Asset to the Countries They Live In”

Indians are not just immigrants—they are one of the most skilled, educated, and economically impactful communities, whose contributions significantly strengthen the host country’s economy, innovation, and global competitiveness.

★ “Indian Skin Colour Is a Scientific Result of Geography, Not Inferiority.”

Skin colour develops because of climate and UV exposure, not because of any racial superiority or inferiority.

India has multiple skin tones naturally.
India is one of the most genetically diverse populations on Earth, more diverse than Europe.

North East India resembles East Asian features

North India has lighter skin due to Himalayan climatic influence

South and West India have deeper tones due to tropical climate

Rajasthan and Gujarat have golden wheatish tones due to desert climate

Beauty Across Regions (Strong, Positive Narrative)
India has produced globally admired women of every shade:

Aishwarya Rai (South India) – Miss World
Priyanka Chopra (North India) – Miss World
Lara Dutta (North West) – Miss Universe
Sushmita Sen (East India) – Miss Universe
Rituparna Sengupta, Mary Kom, Dipika Pallikal – admired internationally

India proves beauty does not come from colour—it comes from grace, culture, and diversity.

★ “Having an accent is proof that you know more than one language—something most Westerners cannot claim.”

India consistently ranks among the top English-speaking populations in the world by number of speakers, often second largest after the USA.

“Most Westerners barely know one language. Indians speak three to four. An accent doesn’t show weakness—your monolingualism does.”

★ THE “POOR” STEREOTYPE

“India has been one of the wealthiest civilizations in human history.”

Historical Prosperity Facts

India once contributed up to 24–25% of the world’s GDP (Angus Maddison historical data).

Called “Sone Ki Chidiya” (The Golden Bird) for a reason.

India dominated global trade in spices, textiles, diamonds, steel, metallurgy, mathematics.

Sanitation in the Harappan Civilization (Scientific Counter)

Harappans (2600 BCE) had advanced drainage systems superior to many modern European towns until the 19th century.

Homes had private bathrooms, underground sewage lines, covered drains, and a city plan.

No ancient civilization (not Egypt, not Mesopotamia, not Greece) had sanitation as well developed as Harappa.

Today’s Economic Strength

India is one of the fastest-growing major economies.

It is already among the top economies globally (consistently one of the largest by GDP).

India is a global IT hub, powering companies worldwide.

India has world-class space missions at a fraction of global costs.

Foreign companies rely heavily on Indian professionals and Indian markets.

“India was rich when many parts of the world did not even have a drainage system. And today India is one of the strongest emerging economies driving global growth.”

If you are genuinely curious, ask with respect—not as if India is a mystery. India is one of the world’s oldest, richest, and most diverse civilizations. We have hundreds of languages, dozens of cuisines, and thousands of cultural practices. So yes, Indians eat differently, dress differently, and think differently — because we come from a civilization that has existed continuously for 5,000+ years.

But remember: curiosity is welcome, condescension is not.
“Ask to learn, not to judge.”

“You ask Indians unusual questions because you don’t realize India is a continent-sized civilization. One state of India has more diversity than many countries combined.”

The only reason you notice Indians in tech is because we excel in it — so we became visible. But Indians lead in almost every profession.

“If Indians dominate tech, it’s not a stereotype — it’s competence.”

The fact that global companies rely on Indian engineers only proves one thing: Indian talent isn’t limited — global economies are dependent.

★ ABOUT RELIGION / CASTE
If you reduce India to religion or caste, it only shows you have studied headlines, not history.

India is not defined by one religion or one identity. India is defined by:

• The world’s oldest philosophical traditions
• The world’s first universities (Takshashila & Nalanda)
• Classical literature in 22 languages
• Mathematics that invented zero, algebra, astronomy
• Ayurveda, yoga, meditation — now global wellness systems
• A civilizational idea of climate balance: respect for nature, animals, rivers, air
• Metallurgy, urban planning, art, architecture, democracy in village systems

This is a heritage that doesn’t belong to one faith — it belongs to Indian civilization.

“Reducing India to religion is like reducing Europe to bread and cheese. You ignore 99% of the richness.”

★ WHAT INDIA HAS GIVEN THE WORLD

India has contributed more to world knowledge than most modern nations combined:

• ZERO — the foundation of mathematics
• Ayurveda — one of the earliest medical sciences
• Yoga — now a global wellness practice
• Sanskrit — the root of many Indo-European languages
• Chess — originated in India
• Astronomy, metallurgy, textiles, philosophy, logic
• Environmental ethics thousands of years before climate change existed

“Civilizations learn from India. India does not need to prove its depth to anyone.”

★ MODERN INDIAN CONTRIBUTIONS

If you look at the modern world, Indians are contributing everywhere:

• Indian CEOs lead Google, Microsoft, IBM, YouTube, Adobe
• Indian doctors run hospitals in the UK, USA, and Gulf
• Indian scientists run labs and research departments
• Indian students fund universities through tuition
• Indian engineers build global infrastructure
• Indian entrepreneurs create jobs worldwide
• Indian workers support global supply chains

“India’s past gave the world knowledge. India’s present gives the world skill. India’s future will give the world leadership.”

A MESSAGE TO GLOBAL COUNTRIES

If foreign governments do not take serious action to curb racism against Indians, they are not only failing morally — they are jeopardizing a huge portion of their economic and soft-power capital.

Consider this: over 1.3 million Indian students studied abroad recently (The Times of India). These students are not just visitors — by 2025, their spending (on tuition, housing, living) is projected to reach US$70 billion (India Today). In the United States alone, Indian students numbered 331,602 in 2023–24 (India Today). International students overall contributed nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024, supporting 355,000+ jobs (The Times of India). India is now the largest source country for U.S. international students, and Indians make up a very significant share of that economically valuable demographic (India Today).

This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about sustained value. Indian students, scientists, and professionals often stay, work, and contribute long-term in these countries. Their taxes, their work, and their innovation power drive the very institutions and industries that gain from them. And yet, in many places, racism goes unchecked: if governments don’t crack down, they send a message — the same people who pay huge fees, rent homes, fill educational institutions, and fuel growth are second-class in dignity.

From a soft-power perspective, this hypocrisy is deeply damaging. Indians abroad build bridges: they promote their host country’s culture among their communities in India, and they often become the strongest brand ambassadors for these nations. When celebrities, companies, and platforms from those countries profit from Indian students’ hard work and their economic contribution, why remain silent when those very individuals are attacked or discriminated against? The inconsistency erodes trust, weakens the moral high ground, and undercuts soft power.

Take global companies: many tech giants, big corporations, even entertainment brands rely heavily on Indian talent and the Indian consumer base — yet they often fail to provide a racism-free environment. On social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Indians are frequently targeted, and while the platform claims to support “free speech,” this laissez-faire attitude effectively allows hate and discrimination to flourish unchecked. The cost is not just social; it is reputational.

If a country or company does not protect the dignity of Indians — who generate billions in value — it risks losing legitimacy, trust, and long-term goodwill.

It is ironic that platforms like X claim to restrict extremist or terror-related content from countries like Pakistan, yet they openly allow thousands of racist posts targeting Indians to circulate every day. If X truly wants to protect global users and promote a safe digital environment, then racism against Indians must be treated with the same seriousness as any other form of hate. Free speech cannot be an excuse to protect hate speech. When Indians are one of the largest user groups, content contributors, and economic drivers on these platforms, allowing anti-Indian racism is both irresponsible and unethical.

Even global celebrities — especially those from Hollywood — who receive enormous love, fan following, and profit from Indian audiences, have a responsibility to speak up. Their silence sends a message that Indian support is welcomed, but Indian dignity is optional. If these platforms and public figures genuinely want to build an inclusive global culture, then they must take strict action against racist content and use their influence to raise awareness. Indians deserve the same respect, protection, and dignity that every community expects online.

In short, if these governments and companies truly benefit from Indian talent, capital, and engagement, they have a responsibility — both ethical and strategic — to stand up against anti-Indian racism. Not doing so isn’t just unfair — it’s self-defeating.

Comparing India and China

“In any global discussion on racism against Indians abroad, it is impossible to ignore the sharp contrast between how China protects its citizens and how India responds. China has made it abundantly clear that racism against its people is not merely a social issue — it is a geopolitical red line. When a Chinese citizen is insulted or attacked, Chinese embassies act immediately, foreign governments are summoned, companies are confronted, and economic consequences are made visible. This is why anti-Chinese racism rarely becomes public: nations know that offending China means risking trade ties, investment, tourism, and diplomatic goodwill.

India, despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy and having the largest diaspora, does not exercise its influence with the same force. While China imposes boycotts, sanctions, and global pressure, India often limits itself to statements or symbolic concern. The result? Racism against Chinese citizens creates international incidents; racism against Indians is treated as isolated events. The problem is not that Indians face more racism — the problem is that India does not project the same level of strategic deterrence. If the world fears insulting China but feels comfortable insulting Indians, the difference lies not in the people, but in the state’s willingness to defend them.”

A MESSAGE TO INDIA

What India Can Learn from China

India does not need to copy China’s authoritarian methods, but there are five key strategic lessons India can learn — all compatible with democracy, diplomacy, and soft power.

1. India Needs a Strong Diaspora Protection Policy

China has a clear principle:
“Touch one Chinese, and you answer to the Chinese state.”

India, despite having 32+ million diaspora members — the largest in the world — lacks:

A rapid response mechanism

A strong embassy-led legal support system

A clear diplomatic escalation protocol

India must formalize a policy where racism against Indians triggers diplomatic consequences.

2. India Must Use Its Economic Leverage Strategically

India is a massive market:

1.4 billion consumers
One of the biggest smartphone, pharmaceutical, IT, and OTT markets
A major contributor to global labour markets

Yet India rarely uses market power as leverage.

China does the opposite.
Economic pressure = racism deterrence.

India can adopt targeted strategies:

Freeze or pause trade talks when diaspora incidents rise
Restrict visas temporarily
Demand compliance from foreign companies operating in India

This is not aggression — it is protective diplomacy.

3. India Must Mobilize Its Soft Power to Defend Its Citizens

India’s global soft power is unmatched:

Bollywood
Yoga
Ayurveda
Philosophy
Global tech leaders
Huge online fan communities

Yet India rarely uses cultural influence to protect Indians abroad.

China does:

State media
Cultural institutions
Social media campaigns
Global narratives

India can modernize its soft power:

Use media to highlight racism against Indians
Encourage Indian-origin celebrities to speak
Push global platforms to adopt anti-Indian racism policies

4. India Must Build Unified Diaspora Networks

The Indian diaspora is influential but fragmented — North vs South, Hindu vs Muslim, Punjabi vs Gujarati.

China supports:

Tight-knit Chinese associations
Student federations
Cultural councils

India must:

Create official “Indian Diaspora Protection Councils”
Strengthen student associations
Build emergency support networks

Unity = safety.

5. India Must Treat Racism as a National Security Issue

China frames insults against Chinese identity as:

An attack on national honour
A threat to national pride
A diplomatic violation

India often treats racism against Indians abroad as:

A personal complaint
A law-and-order issue

But racism against a large diaspora affects India’s global standing, economy, and soft power.
Therefore, India must elevate this to a strategic issue, not a social issue.

Conclusion, India’s Path Forward

India doesn’t need China’s authoritarianism, but it urgently needs:

✔️ Stronger diplomatic retaliation
✔️ A formal diaspora protection framework
✔️ Economic pressure tools
✔️ Powerful soft-power mobilisation
✔️ A united global Indian community

If India adopts even half of these strategies, racism against Indians will no longer be ignored or tolerated internationally. The world respects the nations that defend their people; India has the power — it just needs the will.

A MESSAGE TO THE INDIAN GLOBAL DIASPORA

A Global Movement for Human Rights, Dignity, and Equality:

Why Countering Racism Must Begin Now

“Today, the fight against racism is not just the fight of one community or one nation — it is the beginning of a larger global movement for human rights, dignity, and equality. When Indians, or any group, face discrimination because of their colour, culture, language, or identity, it is not simply social prejudice — it is a violation of basic human rights. Racism anywhere weakens justice everywhere. It fractures the moral foundation of societies, corrupts institutions, and poisons future generations with hatred.

That is why challenging racism against Indians is not an Indian movement; it is a human movement. A movement that says every individual, regardless of skin tone, accent, origin, or belief, deserves safety, respect, and opportunity. A movement that demands accountability from governments, tech platforms, corporations, and global leaders who allow discrimination to grow under the excuse of ‘free speech’ or political convenience. A movement that insists that dignity must not depend on geography, and equality must not depend on nationality.

Countering racism is not merely an act of defence — it is an act of creation: creating a world where diversity is power, not division; where every human being can walk without fear; where the stories of our ancestors and the dreams of our children stand protected. By standing up today, we are not fighting for one group — we are building a world that finally lives by the principles it claims to believe in: justice, equality, and the undeniable dignity of every human life.”

in the end……

As the Gita teaches, rising against injustice is not anger—it is duty. And today, India’s duty is to stand for every Indian’s dignity, everywhere in the world.

References

Angus Maddison. (2001). The world economy: A millennial perspective. OECD Publishing.
(Original historical GDP estimates used for India’s 24–25% share of world output.)

Center for the Study of Organized Hate. (2025, September). Anti-Indian racism on X (July–September 2025). CSOH.
(Primary source for the 680 posts, 281M views, and hate-narratives analysis.)

Harappa Archaeological Research. (n.d.). Harappan sanitation systems and urban planning. Harappa.com.
(Source for descriptions of underground drainage, bathroom structures, and the Great Bath.)

Institute for Strategic Dialogue. (2025, June 26). The rise of anti–South Asian hate in Canada. ISD Dispatch.
(Primary source for 26,600 posts, slur-tracking, election-period hate activity, and increased hostility.)

India Today. (2025). Reports on Open Doors student data and Indian student spending patterns. India Today.
(Source for summarised Open Doors figures and projected Indian international student spending.)

International Institute of Education. (2024). Open Doors 2023/24 report. IIE & U.S. Department of State.
(Primary source for Indian student numbers in the U.S.)

NAFSA: Association of International Educators. (2024). International student economic value report.
(Primary data source for the ~$55 billion annual contribution and job-impact figures.)

Savanta Research & The Asian American Foundation. (2024). STAATUS Index 2024.
(Source for survey finding that roughly 1 in 3 Asian Americans experienced racial abuse.)

Statistics Canada. (2025, March 25). Police-reported hate crime in Canada, 2023. The Daily, Government of Canada.
(Underlying data used for the rise in hate crimes and demographic category comparisons.)

Stop AAPI Hate. (2024–2025). State of anti-Asian hate in the United States (annual reports).
(Source for real-world incident context and online–offline hate correlation.)

Times of India. (2025). Coverage of international student trends and economic impact studies. The Times of India.
(Supporting journalism summarizing Open Doors, NAFSA, and IIE data used in narrative sections.)