- Source: Indian Colombians
Indian Colombians are Indian immigrants in Colombia and their descendants. The Indian community in Colombia is not as large as other Asian Colombian communities, but there are some places in Colombia where they have an established presence Indian-made businesses. The vast majority of Colombians who have Indian ancestry are of Indo-Caribbean origin, this includes those from Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Of Indian nationals in Colombia, most cite work related motivations in relocating to Colombia.
History
The first arrival of Indians in Colombia was during the 19th century, settling as immigrants. The migration from India into Colombia increased in the 1960s and 1980s, with immigrants settling in areas of the Pacific region, such as Cali and on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
In recent years, Indian migrant workers apart from the oil industry have come to Latin American countries, including Colombia. In 2014, Migración Colombia reported that 343 Indians entered Colombia, with only 48 of them being women.
Today, small communities of Indian Colombians can be found in Bogotá, Cali, Barranquilla, Medellín, and Santa Marta.
Culture and religion
In cities like Barranquilla, there are important Indian restaurants and events, as well as established Indian businesses.
With the arrival of Indians, particularly immigrant workers from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname, came the introduction of numerous prominent Indian religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam.
See also
Immigration to Colombia
Indian diaspora
Colombia-India relations