The Punjabi diaspora is globally dispersed with dense transnational networks. With a long history, its modern incarnation coincides with the beginnings of the Punjabi Suba movement in the 1950s. Over 85% of the Punjabis are now concentrated in Europe and North America. Political turmoil in Punjab in the 1980s created a new conflict-generated diaspora, which has become highly active in both host-land and homeland affairs. The Punjab state government’s response to the promise of Punjabi diaspora’s homeland linkages has shifted from reluctant engagement to indifference and needs a fresh initiative.
