Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu Calls on Indian Diaspora to Return Home, Urges Contribution to Nation’s Growth

New Delhi, Oct 25, 2025: Zoho co-founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has appealed to Indian immigrants worldwide to consider returning to India, emphasizing the country’s need for its brightest minds to contribute to nation-building. Speaking in response to recent research highlighting the fiscal contributions of Indian immigrants in Western countries, Vembu noted that Indian talent has long powered growth abroad, contributing significantly to host economies, and now the same expertise could help India accelerate its own development. The research, shared by economist Daniel Di Martino, indicates that over a 30-year period, Indian immigrants and their descendants contribute an average of $1.7 million to the US federal budget, the highest among all immigrant communities. Recognizing this, Vembu tweeted, “Indian immigrants make the highest fiscal contribution to their host nation. India sent her best.” He urged the next generation of Indian-origin professionals to explore opportunities in India, suggesting that returning home would enable them to help build a prosperous future for the country. “From the migrant perspective, why stay where you are not welcome? Bharat Mata wants you, needs you, and welcomes you! Come home, let’s create a strong and prosperous Bharat,” Vembu added, framing the call as both an emotional and patriotic appeal for skilled Indians abroad to channel their expertise into India’s growth trajectory. Vembu’s remarks have ignited a lively discussion on social media. Supporters highlighted India’s booming technology sector, expanding startup ecosystem, and global economic opportunities as incentives for the diaspora to return. “The opportunity to build India into a global powerhouse is massive right now. With the right ecosystem and opportunities, many would happily return home to contribute to the nation that shaped them,” one social media user remarked. Another cited Vembu himself as an example of how innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive domestically, suggesting that India’s infrastructure and technological landscape are rapidly improving to support such efforts. However, some commentators cautioned that emotional appeals alone would not suffice. They noted that systemic challenges—including bureaucratic hurdles, uneven infrastructure, pollution, and income disparities—must be addressed for talent to return and remain in the country. “Beautiful sentiment but return can’t just be emotional—it has to be practical. India needs to make it easier for talent to come back, build, and thrive without bureaucracy, pollution, and poor infrastructure chasing them away again. Patriotism can bring them home, but policy has to make them stay,” one observer noted. Others pointed out that many Indians left for better professional opportunities and quality of life, but acknowledged that incremental improvements in living standards and business conditions are gradually making India more attractive for returnees. Vembu’s appeal underscores a broader vision of leveraging the global Indian diaspora to enhance domestic innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. By inviting skilled professionals to invest their knowledge, experience, and creativity back into the country, he envisions a strengthened, self-reliant India poised for global competitiveness. His message highlights both the pride in India’s human capital abroad and the urgent opportunity for the nation to reclaim and harness that talent for domestic growth, signaling a call to action for Indians worldwide to participate actively in shaping the country’s future. Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu Urges Indian Diaspora to Return and Build India Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has called on Indians abroad to consider returning home, emphasizing that India needs its brightest minds to help shape the nation’s future. Highlighting research showing Indian immigrants contribute the highest fiscal value in host countries, Vembu urged professionals to use their expertise to strengthen India. He said, “Why stay where you are not welcome? Bharat Mata wants you, needs you and welcomes you! Come home, let’s create a strong and prosperous Bharat.” The appeal sparked discussions online, with supporters praising India’s opportunities, while others stressed that infrastructure and policy improvements are essential for lasting returns.