Ethnic Identity and Cultural Diplomacy of Indian Diaspora in Indonesia

Ni Kadek Surpi; Amarjiva Lochan; Si Luh Nyoman Seriadi

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7i1.99

Authors

Ni Kadek Surpi Hindu University of I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1121-179X
Amarjiva Lochan Department of History, University of Delhi, Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7351-9693
Si Luh Nyoman Seriadi Hindu University of I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7404-8897

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7i1.99

Keywords:

Cross-culture, Cultural Diplomacy, Diaspora, Indian, Indonesian

Abstract

This study examines the role of the Indian diaspora in Indonesia in advancing cultural diplomacy, with a focus on the interplay between ethnic identity, media representation, and cultural integration. The Indian diaspora, historically rooted in regions such as North Sumatra, Aceh, Surabaya, Jakarta, and Bali, has contributed significantly to various sectors, including trade, textiles, manufacturing, and film. However, the community continues to face challenges related to citizenship status, remittances, sociocultural acceptance, and integration within Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim society. Using a qualitative research approach, the study employs semi-structured interviews with key diaspora figures, content analysis of media representations, and policy document review to explore how ethnic identity both facilitates and complicates cultural diplomacy between India and Indonesia. Key findings reveal that while the diaspora acts as an effective conduit for India's soft power and cultural exchange, structural limitations constrain their diplomatic potential, such as exclusion from policy-making, cultural stereotyping, and institutional invisibility. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on the intersection of media, mindset, and diasporic cultural practice as strategic elements in public diplomacy. It argues that recognizing the nuanced role of diaspora identity is vital for fostering inclusive cultural diplomacy and enhancing bilateral relations in multicultural settings like Indonesia.

Author Biographies

Ni Kadek Surpi, Hindu University of I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar

Faculty

Amarjiva Lochan, Department of History, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

Prof. Amarjiva Lochan is a distinguished scholar in the Department of History at the University of Delhi, India. With extensive expertise in ancient Indian history, cultural exchanges in Asia, and Buddhist studies, he has contributed significantly to academic discourse through his research, publications, and international collaborations. Prof. Lochan is known for his interdisciplinary approach and has been actively involved in fostering cross-cultural understanding, particularly between India and Southeast Asia.

Si Luh Nyoman Seriadi, Hindu University of I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa Denpasar

Si Luh Nyoman Seriadi is a Balinese scholar known for her contributions to the study of Balinese culture, traditional knowledge systems, and indigenous philosophy. Her research focuses on the intersections of spirituality, ecology, and community wisdom within Balinese society. Deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, she actively works to preserve and reinterpret local traditions in contemporary academic and social contexts. She has participated in various national and international forums to share insights from Bali’s unique worldview.

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