Indians Abroad Grapple with Identity and Belonging on Independence Day

The Complex Question of "Home" for Indians Abroad

As Independence Day 2026 unfolds, the question of identity and belonging takes center stage for many Indians living abroad. For those who have left India to make homes elsewhere, the seemingly simple query, "Where are you from?" often opens a Pandora’s box of emotions, memories, and conflicting answers.

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A Question That Feels Like a Trap

The writer, a U.S.-based Indian professional, recounts an encounter in New York City during a brief respite from Texas, where he currently resides. When a fellow soccer fan asked him where he was from, the question triggered a cascade of reflections. Though born in India, he has lived in Sweden for two decades, and the U.S. feels like a mere transit point before returning to Sweden. Yet, even this layered answer felt incomplete, tinged with homesickness and a sense of betrayal toward his Indian roots.

This struggle is not unique; it reflects the broader experience of migrants who navigate multiple identities. Palestinian-American theorist Edward Said has argued that birthplace and belonging can be separated, highlighting how such questions can reopen complicated geographies for those who have moved across borders.

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India: The Oldest Part of the Story

Despite living abroad for years, the writer acknowledges that India remains the foundation of his identity. His childhood, school years, and early adulthood in India shaped the "first version" of himself. Even his accent carries traces of his Indian origin, a subtle reminder of where his story began. Yet, within India itself, his sense of belonging is fragmented—he often claims Delhi as his origin, despite only spending four years there, avoiding mention of his small hometown for fear of obscurity.

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Migrants and the Idea of "Nowhere"

The writer’s reflections deepen during a conversation with Yuriy, a Ukrainian migrant he meets at a café in New York. Yuriy, despite being a U.S. citizen, feels like an outsider in America and is unable to return to Ukraine due to military conscription orders. His children, however, feel at home in the U.S., offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise fraught situation. Yuriy’s experience underscores the varying degrees of belonging migrants feel, depending on their circumstances and generational ties.

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Stitching Identities Together

For the writer, the question "Where are you from?" remains difficult to answer. His Indian identity has not disappeared, even as Sweden became home, and his experiences in the U.S. have added new layers to his sense of self. Perhaps the answer lies not in choosing one origin but in embracing the mosaic of experiences that define him. As he prepares to leave New York, the question feels less like a trap and more like an opportunity to reflect on the multifaceted nature of identity.

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Why This Matters

For Indians abroad, Independence Day serves as a poignant reminder of the freedoms they enjoy, including the freedom to leave India and build lives elsewhere. Yet, it also highlights the emotional complexities of migration—the balancing act between old roots and new homes. The writer’s story captures this duality, offering a window into the layered identities many migrants carry with them.

Source: The Hindu