Indian diaspora in the United Arab Emirates

Indian migration to the UAE dates back centuries through maritime trade. Historical ties between India and the Arabian Gulf are traced to the 3rd millennium BCE.^[3] Indian merchants played significant roles in the pearling industry and early commerce.^[4]

Following Indian independence in 1947, Indian businesses began flourishing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Gulf rupee, issued by the Reserve Bank of India, remained in circulation until the UAE introduced the dirham in the 1960s, reflecting continued economic ties.^[5]

Following the discovery of oil, large-scale labour migration from India surged, particularly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Workers were recruited for the construction industry, shipping, and energy sectors.^[6]

Indian migration diversified in the 21st century to include IT professionals, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and international students. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant return migration, population numbers rebounded post-2022.^[7][8]

According to international media reports, escalating military and political tensions in the Persian Gulf region involving Israel-US war on Iran, as well as allied regional states, have contributed to economic and labor market disruptions. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries host millions of migrant workers, including approximately 9 million Indian nationals, who collectively send tens of billions of dollars in annual remittances. The reports note that heightened regional instability and security concerns have affected employment conditions, contract renewals, and workforce mobility, leading to the return of a number of migrant workers to India, particularly impacting regions such as Kerala.^[9][10]

As of 2025, Indians comprise 35.25% of the UAE’s population of 11.346 million.^[1][2] According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 3.57 million Overseas Indians were documented in 2024.^[11]

• Dubai: ~50% (2 million)
• Abu Dhabi: ~20% (800,000)
• Sharjah: ~18% (720,000)
• Other Emirates: ~12% (480,000)^[12]

^[13]

• Over 40,000 Indian entrepreneurs own small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, contributing approximately $37 billion in investments.^[14]
• Prominent Indian-led conglomerates include Lulu Group, Landmark Group, Thumbay Group, Aster DM Healthcare, and NMC Health.^[15]
• Over 200 Indian-founded technology startups since 2020 have raised more than $1.2 billion in funding.^[16]

The United Arab Emirates hosts over 75 schools affiliated with Indian curricula, primarily the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). These institutions serve the educational needs of the Indian diaspora while also attracting students from other expatriate communities due to their academic standards and affordability.^[17]

• The Indian High School, Dubai – Established in 1961, it is the oldest and largest Indian curriculum school in the UAE.
• Delhi Private School – A network of CBSE-affiliated institutions operating in Dubai and Sharjah.
• Our Own English High School – Part of GEMS Education, it is one of the most recognized Indian schools in the region.
• GEMS Our Own Indian School - A leading well-established affordable institution under the GEMS "Our Own" network.
• Woodlem Park School, Dubai – Offers CBSE curriculum and is part of the wider Woodlem Education network.
• Sharjah Indian School – Operated by the Indian Association of Sharjah, serving a large student population.
• The Emirates National School,Sharjah- Economical CBSE School thats privately owned

These schools are recognized for their role in preserving Indian educational values abroad while integrating with the multicultural educational landscape of the UAE.

The Indian diaspora has made a significant cultural impact on the United Arab Emirates, maintaining vibrant traditions and contributing to the country’s multicultural fabric.

Several religious centers across the UAE cater to the spiritual needs of the Indian community:

• BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi – The largest Hindu temple in the Middle East, inaugurated in 2024.^[18]
• Shiva and Krishna temples – Historic Hindu temples located in Bur Dubai, serving worshippers since the 1950s.
• Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai – A major Gurdwara serving the Sikh community.
• Markaz, Dubai – An Islamic center active in religious education, interfaith engagement, and youth activities.
• Jamia Sa'diya Center – An Indian-run Islamic educational and cultural center operating in the UAE, promoting Sunni scholarly tradition and Arabic learning.

• Major Indian festivals such as Diwali, Eid, Holi, Onam, and Navratri are widely celebrated through public events and community gatherings.
• Prominent community organizations include the Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Association Sharjah, which organize social, educational, and welfare initiatives.
• Indian culture is also represented in national heritage platforms such as the Saadiyat Cultural District, where Indian exhibitions and partnerships have been prominently featured.^[19]

Despite their vital contributions to the UAE economy, many members of the Indian diaspora—particularly low-income migrant workers—continue to face structural and legal challenges.

• Labour issues: Migrant workers, especially those in construction, domestic work, and other blue-collar sectors, often face issues related to unpaid wages, occupational safety, long working hours, and limited access to legal recourse.^[20]
• Kafala system and visa dependency: The UAE’s residency framework ties legal status to employer sponsorship under a modified form of the Kafala system, limiting mobility and bargaining power for many workers.
• Labour law reforms (2024–25): Recent updates to the UAE Labour Law include:
  • Maternity leave increased to 60 days.
  • Introduction of flexible work models (e.g., remote work, part-time, temporary, and job-sharing roles).
  • Expedited dispute resolution: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) decisions are now legally enforceable for claims up to AED 50,000.^[21]

• Yusuff Ali M.A. – Chairman of Lulu Group
• B. R. Shetty – Founder of NMC Health and UAE Exchange
• Firoz Merchant – Businessman and philanthropist
• Rushdi Bin Rasheed
• Noufal Ahmed