Hinduism is the oldest surviving religion of the world. It is also the third largest religion in the world with over one billion (100 crore) people belonging to its faith. Hinduism is not merely a religion, but it is also a way of life. The teachings of this religion have always attracted people from all around the world as they find in it something relevant to their lives. Environmentalists and economists, physicists and philosophers, linguists and story-tellers, astrologers and astronomers, musicians to mathematicians, have benefited from Hinduism.
Prabowo Subianto: Proud of his DNA
President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has a great liking for Bharatiya music. Many times he would dance happily to Bharatiya music. The President had his genetic sequencing test and his DNA test done and the report showed that he has Bharatiya DNA. He was Chief Guest for the Indian Republic Day Parade 2025.
During a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto quipped that he has “Indian DNA”, much to the delight of the audience. “India and Indonesia have a long, ancient history together. We have civilisational links. Even now a very important part of our language comes from Sanskrit. Many names of Indonesia are actually Sanskrit names and in our daily life, the influence of ancient Indian civilisation is very strong.
I think it’s also part of our genetics,” the Indonesian President added.
In a message to World Hindu Congress in November 2023, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised that the world is struggling with turmoil. Hence, it should take inspiration from Hindu values of non-violence, truth, tolerance and harmony. He believes only then peace would be established in the world.
Ukraine President Zelensky does not speak to Russian President Putin and Putin did not speak to then US President Joe Biden. But Bharat’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to all three of them. Therefore, Bharat represented by Narendra Modi is Vishwa Mitra.
Diaspora’s Impact on Bharat’s Hard and Soft Power
The Bharatiya diaspora was estimated in 2012 to have assets worth $1 trillion, equalling nearly 50 per cent of Bharat’s GDP at the time. The income of the Bharatiy diaspora is estimated at $400 billion a year. The Indian diaspora has made a significant impact on the globalisation of the economy of Bharat. They have contributed enormously towards remittances to Bharat, foreign-exchange reserves of Bharat, foreign trade of Bharat, exports of Bharat, business process outsourcing to Bharat and Bharatiya origin CEOs of top global multinational companies. Generations of diaspora have enhanced Bharat’s soft power through proliferation of elements of Bharatiya culture.
Thousands of Bharatvasis flocked to the Ram Mandir to mark its inauguration ceremony in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. The occasion was simultaneously celebrated outside the country by the Indian diaspora, with some foreign dignitaries terming it a “second Diwali” or a “Mecca for Hindus”. Indian missions held live telecasts of the Ayodhya ceremony. Images of the Hindu deity Ram and the newly built mandir were displayed in major areas like Times Square, New York. Indians in Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, the US, the UK and other countries carried out marches in solidarity with the temple celebration, waving saffron flags and chanting “Jai Shree Ram”. On the eve of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya, the Mexican city of Queretaro inaugurated its first Ram Mandir. The ceremony was performed by an American priest with idols brought from Bharat.
In Japan, Bharatiya Ambassador Sibi George received a Ramayan-themed calendar from Atsushi Matsuo, CEO, TEM Co, head of a company that produced the 1992 animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. Days before, Bharatiya children in Japan had performed a Ramayan play, which was personally attended by George. In Indonesia, a puja was solemnised in an ashram in Bali. Ida Rsi Putra Manuaba, a Padma Shri recipient and founder of the ashram, led the prayers.
In New Zealand, thousands attended a diaspora event held in Auckland, which was attended by the country’s Minister for Ethnic Communities Melissa Lee, MP David Seymour and Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan. Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai Kobbi Shoshani visited the Ram mandir in Wadala in solidarity while the Israel Embassy Spokesperson Guy Nir posted a picture of himself watching the “exciting” celebrations on television.
‘United Nations (UN) General Assembly President Dennis Francis, who arrived in Delhi on a five-day visit to India, noted the “auspicious” time of his arrival. Some foreign missions based in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave also weighed in. The South Korean Embassy congratulated the Modi Government by mentioning the myth that Queen Huh Hwang-ok (or Princess Suriratna) was the princess of Ayodhya before she went to South Korea and married King Kim Suro of Karak Clan.
The construction of a massive 8 crore US $ Hindu temple by BAPS in Abu Dhabi is a beacon of Bharat’s cultural expansion. 27 acres of land for the temple was donated by the UAE government. A grand ceremony attended by almost 5,000 people marked the inauguration of the architectural marvel by PM Modi on February 14, 2024. Narendra Modi is the first statesman from a post-colonial society who has shown conviction to move towards the decolonisation of our ancient Hindu culture. The Mandir is also a sign of multiculturalism, mutual trust and the enhanced relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Earlier a Hindu Temple in Dubai was opened for darshan in 2022. The new Hindu Temple exhibits a fusion of Indian and Arabic architectural styles.
Hindu Heads of State in 21st Century
Every Hindu felt proud when Rishi Sunak was appointed Prime Minister by King Charles III in October 2022. He was the first Hindu Prime Minister officially of Christian Great Britain. England was in desperate need of a competent leader and Sunak, a practicing Hindu, came as a saviour. He is a proud Hindu who has taken oath of Parliament on the Hindu holy book, the Bhagavad Gita. In 2022 Sunak and his wife celebrated the Hindu festival of Krishna Janmashtami and worshipped a cow at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple. He lighted Diyas (earthen lamps) outside his residence ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in London, Britain. At the age of 42 years, he became the youngest British Prime Minister in 210 years history. Earlier, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) from 2020 to 2022.
Basdeo Panday was Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 till 2001. He charmed a massive 50,000 person crowd at January’s ‘Puja 2000’, when he burst into Hanuman Chalisa, a popular Hindu song to Bhagwan Hanuman. “Never before has a Prime Minister even attempted to pray with the Hindu community in such a real and emotional manner. By the second verse the crowd joined in. As the Prime Minister shouted at the end ‘Prem se bolo, Hanuman Ki Jai’ [‘Sing with love, Hail to Hanuman’] the crowd of thousands joined him in a single voice that would have been heard from miles away…” In 2005, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
Smt. Kamla Persad-Bissessar was Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 2010 to 2015. She was the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and also of the entire Caribbean region (West Indies). She was also the country’s first female Attorney General, and Leader of the Opposition, the first woman to chair the Commonwealth of Nations and the first Hindu woman and the first woman of Indian origin to be a Prime Minister of a country outside of Bharat. In 2012 she surprised everyone when she bent down and touched the feet of President Pratibha Patil after being presented with the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award.
Chandrika-Persad Santokhi is the present President of Suriname since July 2020. He took his oath holding Vedas and reciting Hindu Sanskrit shlokas and mantras. Santokhi’s inauguration was blessed by several Hindu and Christian religious leaders. There were a few other Heads of State. Navinchandra Ramgoolam was Prime Minister of Mauritius for 14 years between 1995 and 2014. Mahendra Chaudhry was Prime Minister of Fiji from May 1999 to May 2000. Bharrat Jagdeo was President of Guyana for 12 years from 1999 to 2011. At the age of 35, he was one of the youngest Heads of State in the world. During his tenure as President, major economic and social reforms were initiated in Guyana. When he relinquished his office, Guyana had experienced five consecutive years of strong economic growth, often out-pacing other South American countries. SR Nathan was President of Singapore for 12 years from 1999 to August 2011. In 2018, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), was renamed the SR Nathan School of Human Development to recognise his advocacy of social and community causes.
Bharatiya Diaspora in Important Posts
Hindu cultural values play an understated but significant role in the success of Bharatiyas abroad. Indian culture traditionally places a high value on family and community support. The extended family often provides a safety net that allows individuals to take risks and pursue ambitious goals. Prominent figures like Satya Nadella, CEO Microsoft, Sundar Pichai, CEO Google, Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, and Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have made significant strides in global technology and economic policymaking. An increasing number of Hindu women are also emerging as leaders in multilateral organisations. These women are not only breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields but are also shaping the future of global economic policy and development. Their leadership and expertise are advancing the causes of inclusion, sustainability, and international cooperation, ensuring that Indian women’s voices are heard at the highest levels of global decision-making.
Steering multinational corporations, driving global economic policies, or advancing political diplomacy, Bharatiya women in the diaspora are rising as powerful global changemakers and leaders.
Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician and attorney who served from 2021 to 2025 as the 49th Vice President of the United States under President Joe Biden. She was the first female U.S. Vice President, making her the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history. She was also the first Asian-American vice president. Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician and military officer serving as the director of national intelligence since 2025. Indra Nooyi is an Indian-born American business executive who was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. Gita Gopinath is an Indian-American economist who has served as the first Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund since 2022.
Leena Nair is a British-Indian business executive who is Chief Executive Officer of Chanel. Nair previously was the chief human resource officer of Unilever. Under her leadership, Unilever has been named the number one FMCG graduate employer of choice in 54 countries. Anshula Kant, an accomplished Indian banker who has been the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank since 2019—the first woman to ever hold this role. Dr Soumya Swaminathan also made a significant global impact as the former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) during COVID-19 pandemic.
Muslims of Indonesia
Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population. But it is also home to 60 lakh Hindus, mostly in Bali and Java. Majority of the Muslims are proud of their Hindu ancestry. The official mascot of the 1997 Southeast Asian Games played in Indonesia was the Ramayan epic character Hanuman. The Ramayan, known in Java, Indonesia as Kakawin Ramayana, is an Indian epic, which spread into Southeast Asia including the Indonesian archipelago during the ancient times. It not only exists in oral and literary works, but also serves as the underlying theme for art performances and as the inspiration for other works, such as sculptures, paintings and literature. Parisada Hindu Dharma, largest Hindu organisation in Indonesia, has succeeded in bringing back lakhs of Muslims back into Sanatan Dharma through a ritual called Shudhi Wadani.
The construction of a massive 8 crore US $ Hindu temple by BAPS in Abu Dhabi is a beacon of Bharat’s cultural expansion. 27 acres of land for the temple was donated by the UAE government
Kanjen Raden Mahendrani, Princess of Java, capital of Indonesia, re-converted to Hinduism after she went through a Shudhi Wadani ritual on July 17, 2017. Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, 69, daughter of Sukarno, Indonesia’s founding father and first President, also quit Islam to become Hindu in 2021.
Growing Hinduism in Arab Countries
In October 2022, Diwali was celebrated at the BAPS Hindu Mandir by over 10,000 devotees for the third consecutive year. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence of the UAE, after lighting a lamp, wished everyone a very happy and luminous Diwali. Earlier, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami and International Day of Yoga were also celebrated in the midst of thousands of devotees and Arab dignitaries. Thousands of Arab men and women have taken a liking for Hindu Bhajans, Ramayana, Mahabharat, Gita, yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. During the visit of Sant Murari Bapu, an Arab lady carried the holy book Ramayan on her head and the Arab dignitary welcomed the audience by uttering Jai Siya Ram.
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