Transnational Networks and Practices of Overseas Indians in Germany

Abstract The number of non-resident Indians and People of Indian Origin living in Germany has doubled in the last 15 years. Against this background, the paper looks at the multiple cross-border linkages maintained by Indian migrants in Germany. The paper first portrays the development of Indo-German migration since 1950. The main section then describes what linkages are developed by Indian migrants living in Germany between their places of residence and their places of origin. Applying a transnational perspective, the paper portrays how Indian migrants are embedded in different transnational networks. Based on in-depth interviews typical practices are described and changes of these practices during the life course are discussed. Differences in the transnational practices of the first and of the second generation are also addressed. The findings show that all respondents actively link the places where they live with their places of origin and induce changes both “here” and “there”.