Polarishealthcare at 15:42, 7 February 2026

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{{distinguish|Spanish Indians}}
{{short description|Ethnic group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Indians in Spain<br>Indios en España
| population = 57,000+ (2021)<ref name="Ine2021">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/jaxi/Datos.htm?path=/t20/e245/p04/provi/l1/&file=00000006.px|title=Población (Españoles/Extranjeros) por país de nacimiento y sexo}}</ref>
| popplace = [[Madrid]], [[Barcelona]], [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]], [[Canary Islands]], [[Palma (Majorca)|Palma de Mallorca]], [[valencia]], [[girona]], [[alicante]]
| langs = [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]],
[[Kannada language|Kannada]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[English language|English]], [[Urdu]]
| related-c = [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin]], [[Indian Americans]], [[British Indians]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| religions =
| related_groups =
}}

'''Indians in Spain''' form one of the smaller populations of the Indian diaspora. According to the statistics of India's [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], they number only 35,000, or 0.07% of the [[Demographics of Spain|population of Spain]].<ref>{{harvnb|Singhvi|2000|p=137}}</ref> 2009 statistics of Spain's [[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|Instituto Nacional de Estadística]] showed 35,686 Indian citizens in Spain; this figure does not include persons of Indian origin holding other citizenships.<ref name="Ine">{{harvnb|INE|2009}}</ref> Most Indians originally migrated to Spain from [[Africa]], while others came from [[India]] and [[Japan]] and Southeast Asia.<ref name="Singhvi">{{harvnb|Singhvi|2000|p=154}}</ref> According to data from 2021, Indians in Spain number more than 57,000 (0.12% of the total population).<ref name="Ine2021" />

== Migration history ==

In 1425 CE, [[Gitanos|Gitano]] [[Timeline_of_Romani_history#Spain|Romani people]] of Indian origin were recorded [[Romani people in Spain|living in Spain]].<ref>{{citation | url =http://195.220.134.232/numerisation/tires-a-part-www-nb/0000005430031.pdf | title = Pèlerins d'Espagne a la fin de Moten âge | first = Jeanne | last = Viellieard | access-date = 2018-05-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160820031222/http://195.220.134.232/numerisation/tires-a-part-www-nb/0000005430031.pdf | archive-date = 2016-08-20 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.unionromani.org/docgit.htm Unión Romaní] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509124051/http://www.unionromani.org/docgit.htm |date=2008-05-09 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Modern Spain|page=171}}</ref> From 1492, after Christian Reconquista of Spain and Roma along with Moors and Jews targeted to purge Spain of non-Christians. In 1499, Ferdinand and Isabella passed the law against Roma. In 1560 ''the habit and the costume'' of Roma were banned. Roma were forced to marry non-Roma, their language and rituals banned. In the 17th century, Spain deported Romas to the Americas and Africa. In 1749, Romas were arrested in the widespread persecution.<ref>[https://minorityrights.org/communities/roma-gypsies-2/ Persecution of Roma], Minority Rights Org, accessed 17 Feb 2025.</ref>

From 1580 to 1640 CE, [[Portuguese India]] (including Goa) was under Spanish control because of the [[Iberian Union]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Souza |first=Teotonio R. De |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wtIiAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=spain |title=Medieval Goa: A Socio-economic History |date=1979 |publisher=Concept |isbn=978-0-86186-272-6 |language=en}}</ref> which caused migration of people in both directions.

After the [[World War II]], Sindhi traders and shopkeepers thrived in the free ports of the Spanish [[Canary Islands]] of [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria|Las Palmas]] and [[Tenerife]] following the imposition of import and foreign exchange restrictions in Spain after the war. They conducted a brisk trade with the North African continent from [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria|Las Palmas]]. When [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], parts of Spanish Morocco, were also declared as free ports, Indian businessmen set up trading houses and retail shops catering to the tourist trade.<ref name="Singhvi" />

The next wave of Indians to go to Spain were descendants of Indian labourers from former [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colony]] of [[Equatorial Guinea]]. By the mid-seventies, there were over 200 Indian trading houses in Ceuta and Melilla. With the liberalisation in import policies introduced in the eighties, business activity shifted to the port cities of Malaga and Barcelona. Madrid also attracted many Indian businessmen.<ref name="Singhvi" />

== Religion ==
[[Sindhi people|Sindhis]] and [[Sikh]]s form the majority of the Indian community.<ref name="Singhvi" /> Spain has recognised three entities of Hinduism.<ref>{{harvnb|IRF|2006}}</ref> The community celebrates various Indian festivals. Rath Yatras are also taken out by members of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement with the enthusiastic support of the Indian community.<ref name="Singhvi" /> There are temples in Valencia, Ceuta, and Canary Islands.

== Business ==
The Indian community in Spain enjoys a good reputation. Indians are considered hard working, non-political and peaceful. The Indian community has integrated well with Spanish society.<ref name="Singhvi" />

Currently, the largest Hindu community in Spain is in the [[Canary Islands]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.eldia.es/canarias/2007-12-16/22-negocios-son-ahora-inmobiliarias-medicina-derecho.htm|title="Nuestros negocios son ahora las inmobiliarias, la medicina y el derecho"|date=16 December 2007|website=Web.eldia.es|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref> especially on the island of [[Tenerife]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laopinion.es/tenerife/2015/08/03/hindues-honran-dioses-arona/621265.html|title=Los hindúes honran a sus dioses en Arona|first=La Opinión de|last=Tenerife|website=Laopinion.es|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laopinion.es/tenerife/2015/04/18/comunidad-india-tenerife-mayores-pais/601531.html|title=Vikram Misri: "La comunidad india de Tenerife es una de las mayores del país"|first=La Opinión de|last=Tenerife|website=Laopinion.es|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref>

Several electronics and camera stores owned by Indians in the Canary Islands have been accused of being a fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etenerife.com/holidays-in-tenerife/tenerife-camera-scam/|title=The Tenerife Camera Scam - How it Works|date=2 April 2013|website=Etenerfife.com|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831012906/http://www.etenerife.com/holidays-in-tenerife/tenerife-camera-scam/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cunningcanary.com/959/cheap-electronics-in-gran-canaria-a-word-of-warning/#.WEnZvObhA2w|title=Cheap Electronics in Gran Canaria – A Word of Warning – The Cunning Canary|website=Cunningcanary.com|access-date=29 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2016 the Danish TV program "Svindlerjagt" (Eng: Swindler Hunt), went to Gran Canaria to expose several electronics stores which scammed Danish customers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dplay.dk/svindlerjagt-3/season-1-episode-6/|title=Svindlerjagt - Season 1 - Episode 6 - Kanal 5 (Home) - Dplay -|website=Dplay.dk|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011108/http://www.dplay.dk/svindlerjagt-3/season-1-episode-6/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Spanish people of Indian descent ==
* [[Sagar Prakash Khatnani]], born in [[Tenerife]], is a prolific writer of novels.
* [[Robert Masih Nahar]], member of the [[Senate of Spain|Spanish senate]]
* [[Ma Anand Yashu]], flutist
* [[Vashi Domínguez]], entrepreneur
* [[Raimon Panikkar]], priest and advocate of interfaith dialogue
* Prakash Sunderdas, economist and member of [[Ciudadanos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elpueblodeceuta.es/not/10126/piku-sunderdas-aclara-que-no-deja-la-politica-ni-tampoco-ciudadanos|title=Piku Sunderdas aclara que no deja la política, ni tampoco Ciudadanos — El Pueblo de Ceuta|website=Elpueblodeceuta.es|date=7 September 2016 |access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceutaactualidad.com/articulo/generales-2016/piku-sunderdas-sera-candidato-ciudadanos-congreso/20160517143434025104.html|title=Sunderdas será el candidato de Ciudadanos al Congreso|first=Ceuta|last=Actualidad|website=Ceuta Actualidad|date=17 May 2016|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref>
* Rakesh Narwani, filmmaker
* Abhir Hathi, [[Urbano music|urbano]] music artist from the Canary Islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abhir Hathi entre chulería y tristeza |url=https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/interview/abhir-hathi |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=Metal Magazine}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Spain}}
* [[Hinduism in Spain]]
* [[India–Spain relations]]
* ''[[Gitanos]]''

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|2}}

=== Sources ===
*{{citation|last=Singhvi|first=L. M.|chapter=Other Countries of Europe|pages=133–156|title=Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora|publisher=Ministry of External Affairs|publication-place=New Delhi|chapter-url=http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter11.pdf|year=2000|access-date=29 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030417123000/http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter11.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2003|url-status=dead}}
*{{citation|chapter-url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71409.htm|publisher=Department of State|publication-place=United States|year=2006|chapter=Spain|title=International Religious Freedom Report|ref=CITEREFIRF2006}}
*{{citation|title=Avance del Padrón a 1 de enero de 2009. Datos provisionales |chapter=Población extranjera por sexo, país de nacionalidad y edad (hasta 85 y más). |year=2009 |access-date=2009-06-13 |publisher=[[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|Instituto Nacional de Estadística]] |publication-place=Spain |ref=CITEREFINE2009 |chapter-url=http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=/t20/e245/p04/provi/l0/&file=00000010.PX&type=pcaxis&L=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214005318/http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=%2Ft20%2Fe245%2Fp04%2Fprovi%2Fl0%2F&file=00000010.PX&type=pcaxis&L=0 |archive-date=2009-12-14 }}

{{Indian diaspora}}
{{Ethnic groups of Spain}}
{{Immigration to Spain}}

[[Category:Asian diaspora in Spain]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora by country|Spain]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in Europe|Spain]]
[[Category:Spanish people of Indian descent| ]]

Indians in Spain - Revision history

Polarishealthcare at 15:42, 7 February 2026