United Kingdom
The Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom is one of the most vibrant, successful, and influential communities in the country. Numbering nearly two million people, we form about 3% of the UK’s population — yet our presence is felt far beyond our numbers.
We are a community of roots and resilience, carrying with us the values of hard work, education, family, and service. Our journey here is as diverse as India itself — some came in the 1950s and 1960s to help build Britain’s industries and healthcare, others arrived from East Africa in the 1970s, and many more in recent decades as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and students.
Today, our community contributes billions to the UK economy, leads thriving businesses, and plays a crucial role in sectors like medicine, law, engineering, finance, academia, and technology. Indian-origin doctors and nurses are a lifeline in the NHS; our entrepreneurs have created thousands of jobs; and our innovators are shaping Britain’s digital and green future.
We are not just economic contributors — we are cultural ambassadors. From the lights of Diwali in Leicester and London’s Trafalgar Square, to the spiritual beauty of Neasden Temple and Southall Gurdwara, to the irresistible charm of Indian cuisine that has become a part of British life — we have enriched the UK’s cultural landscape.
In public service, our community is making history — with Rishi Sunak as the UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian origin, and leaders like Suella Braverman, Priti Patel, and Alok Sharma at the highest levels of politics. We are active in local councils, advocacy groups, and community organisations, building bridges not just between the UK and India, but between cultures, generations, and ideas.
Above all, we carry forward the spirit of unity in diversity. We celebrate our heritage, while embracing the opportunities of our adopted home. We are proof that identities can be rooted in tradition yet reaching for the future.
The Indian diaspora in the UK is not just a chapter in the story of migration — it is a living testament to how two nations can be bound by people, friendship, and shared dreams.
