Power of Indian Diaspora to Global Markets

“From $8 to Global Boardrooms.”

What makes Indian leaders stand out across the world?
In this powerful episode, Silicon Valley pioneer and Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswamy sits down with host Gaurav Lakhwani to unpack leadership, AI, diaspora impact, and the global Indian identity.

From coming to the U.S. with just $8 to shaping boardrooms and policy conversations in Washington, MR’s story is as insightful as it is inspiring.

He shares:

💡 Why Indian upbringing and values build world-class leaders 🇮🇳 How the diaspora transformed India’s global image
🌐 Meeting PM Modi, Biden, and the power of India’s 40 million-strong diaspora
🤖 Why AI is the biggest shift in human history — and what it means for Indian tech talent
🚀 The bittersweet success of Indian founders like Perplexity AI’s Arvind Srinivas building abroad

00:00 – 01:38 Introduction
02:00 – 05:58 Qualities that make Indians exceptional leaders
06:50 – 10:41 From $8 to the global boardroom
10:51 – 13:19 Where does AI lead us?
13:19 – 15:17 How does AI affect the Indian population in tech
15:36 – 16:51 What was it like meeting Aravind, the founder of Perplexity AI?
18:42 – 20:43 What does PM Modi think about the Indian community
21:45 – 23:05 What does the US President think about the Indian diaspora
23:08 – 25:46 Anti-immigrant sentiment across the world
26:54 – 29:58 What motivated M R Rangaswamy to start Indiaspora
29:57 – 31:37 Philanthropic good that the diaspora brought
31:54 – 35:43 Why M R Rangaswamy thinks he’s the luckiest person
36:09 – 38:15 India’s gift to the world
38:17 – 40:37 Why India needs to create a global market for Indian-origin products
41:13 – 43:05 What India can learn from China
44:21 – 46:18 Indiaspora’s aspiration
46:26 – 47:56 M R Rangaswamy’s message to listeners

🎙️ Guest: MR Rangaswamy — Founder,  @Indiaspora 

🎧 Host: Gaurav Lakhwani — The Indian Impact