Financial engagement of the Indian diaspora in Germany: Remitting to India

Abstract

AbstractIndian nationals are a small but quickly growing migrant group in Germany that merits more research, especially related to remittance behaviour. Most of them are embedded in transnational networks; the remittances they send to India are an important way of expressing belonging, allowing the remitters to induce changes and fulfil traditional roles in spite of being physically absent. The findings presented in the paper's empirical section were collected with a mixed‐methods‐research approach. They are discussed against the background of the ongoing discourse on remittances and development. The idea of remittances as a better form of development aid is questioned.The article illuminates which types of remittances are important for Indian migrants in Germany, how the practice of remitting depends on the specific migration path, and how it differs between first and second generation. Analysis of the empirical results shows that seven types of remittances are relevant for Indian migrants in Germany. Individual remittances are more important than collective remittances, and parent support is the most important type of remittance. Charitable engagement within this group is highly individualised. The findings illustrate further how the remitting practices change over time—within life course and between generations.The results of this research show that as remittances for charitable reasons can only be considered as a highly personalised form of temporary engagement, it can be assumed that they hardly create sustainable structures. Individual remittances to family and friends, which are more important in this case study, do not necessarily result in desirable development.