Punjabi Diaspora Plays Key Role in Indian Politics

The biggest strength of these Canada-, US-, UK-, and Dubai-returned faces is their contacts abroad. The reach of social media and engagement with overseas Punjabis is making them useful to political parties. Advertisement Relatives abroad also have influence in political decisions at home. This network is no longer limited to overseas votes and financial help, but is turning into an election campaign opinion-building and organizing force. Advertisement Congress's Sukhpal Singh Khaira and AAP's Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal are prime examples. Dhaliwal has also been the Minister of Overseas Affairs in the Punjab government after returning from the US. Baltej Pannu made his mark in journalism in Canada and later became an influential face in Punjab politics.