Episode 54: Transcontinental talent: Unlocking win-win opportunities in EU-India migration

The Migration & Diaspora Podcast

Hello and welcome again to yet another episode of the Migration & Diaspora Podcast, where we showcase projects and people from the field of migration and diaspora engagement. I’m your host Loksan Harley from Homelands Advisory, your independent migration and diaspora agency.

India is one of the most interesting countries to study when it comes to migration. When I think of Indian migration, my mind jumps to the large Indian diaspora community in the UK, the migrant workers in the Gulf, historical indentured servitude in Africa, and Indian tech founders in Silicon Valley. One thing I don’t think much about is India-EU migration. So I’m delighted to have Naozad Hodiwala on the show to tell us all about the emerging trends and growing potential of the India-EU migration relationship.

About Naozad

Naozad Hodiwala is the International Centre for Migration Policy Development’s (ICMPD) Country Coordinator for India at the South and West Asia Regional Office. Since 2017, in this role, Naozad has been helping ICMPD to co-implement a project (the EU-India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (EU-India CDMM) project) that supports the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM).

Through the dialogue support initiative, Naozad has facilitated several high-level meetings on migration governance, including on migration data, remittances, student mobility, and welfare of Indians in the EU. And all this is part of his more than 17 years of experience in migration management across Asia and Africa. It comes as no surprise to me that, in 2020, Naozad was recognised as a Top 40 under 40 Leader by the Europe-India Centre for Business Industry (EICBI). When not jetting across the globe, he is an avid tennis fan, enjoys walks with his dog, and is a proud husband and father of two girls. Which is lovely to hear and you’ll also learn more about his own fascinating migration and diaspora story in a moment.

The ICMPD is an international organisation, with 20 Member States and working in more than 90 countries worldwide. Contributing to the development of better and safer migration policies and programmes, ICMPD takes a holistic approach to migration: structurally linking policy and research, cooperation, community outreach, and capacity development. With over 500 staff members, it takes a regional approach in its work towards efficient cooperation and partnerships along key migration routes, with a focus on Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Founded in 1993 with headquarters in Vienna and a liaison office in Brussels, ICMPD holds UN observer status and cooperates with more than 200 partners including EU institutions, UN agencies, Member States, and several countries. ICMPD receives contributions from its Member States and bilateral donors, the European Commission, UN partners, and other multilateral institutions.

What we talk about

In today’s episode, we’re talking EU-India migration, including:

• The migration trends between the two superpowers.

• The potential that migration holds for both sides in helping balance labour supply and demand.

• How that potential can be maximised through measures to facilitate and support migration in a way that can benefit Europe, India and those who choose to move.

• The EU-India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility project.

And if your interest in India has been piqued by this episode, you can check out related Episode 29 on South Asian migration mega-trends with ILO’s Shabari Nair.

Links

• Episode 29 on South Asian migration mega-trends with ILO’s Shabari Nair

• India-EU Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Phase II

• EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility Declaration

• Follow Naozad and ICMPD on Twitter:

• @NaozadH

• @BudapestProcess

• @icmpd

• @ICMPD_PolRes

• Connect with Naozad and ICMPD on LinkedIn:

• Naozad

• ICMPD

• ICMPD Silk Routes

• Tune into The Migration Podcast by ICMPD

• Options for Green-Skilled Migration Partnerships, CGD

• EU Blue Card

• Regional Outlook for South and West Asia, 2024: Top 5 Issues