| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 57,000+ (2021)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Madrid,Barcelona,Ceuta,Melilla,Canary Islands,Palma de Mallorca,valencia,girona,alicante | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish,Hindi,Telugu,Kannada,Marathi,Malayalam,Tamil,Sindhi,Punjabi,English,Urdu | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin,Indian Americans,British Indians |
Indians in Spain form one of the smaller populations of the Indian diaspora. According to the statistics of India'sMinistry of External Affairs, they number only 35,000, or 0.07% of thepopulation of Spain.[2] 2009 statistics of Spain'sInstituto Nacional de Estadística showed 35,686 Indian citizens in Spain; this figure does not include persons of Indian origin holding other citizenships.[3] Most Indians originally migrated to Spain fromAfrica, while others came fromIndia andJapan and Southeast Asia.[4] According to data from 2021, Indians in Spain number more than 57,000 (0.12% of the total population).[1]
In 1425 CE,GitanoRomani people of Indian origin were recordedliving in Spain.[5][6][7] 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 1560the 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.[8]
From 1580 to 1640 CE,Portuguese India (including Goa) was under Spanish control because of theIberian Union,[9] which caused migration of people in both directions.
After theWorld War II, Sindhi traders and shopkeepers thrived in the free ports of the SpanishCanary Islands ofLas Palmas andTenerife following the imposition of import and foreign exchange restrictions in Spain after the war. They conducted a brisk trade with the North African continent fromLas Palmas. WhenCeuta andMelilla, parts of Spanish Morocco, were also declared as free ports, Indian businessmen set up trading houses and retail shops catering to the tourist trade.[4]
The next wave of Indians to go to Spain were descendants of Indian labourers from formerSpanish colony ofEquatorial 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.[4]
Sindhis andSikhs form the majority of the Indian community.[4] Spain has recognised three entities of Hinduism.[10] 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.[4] There are temples in Valencia, Ceuta, and Canary Islands.
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.[4]
Currently, the largest Hindu community in Spain is in theCanary Islands,[11] especially on the island ofTenerife.[12][13]
Several electronics and camera stores owned by Indians in the Canary Islands have been accused of being a fraud.[14][15] In 2016 the Danish TV program "Svindlerjagt" (Eng: Swindler Hunt), went to Gran Canaria to expose several electronics stores which scammed Danish customers.[16]
