Chinese people in India are leaving in large numbers.

India, a country full of mystery and diversity, has experienced rapid population growth in the past few decades, much like China.

It was this population explosion that led many Chinese to choose to immigrate to India, while at the same time, many Indians also began moving to China.

However, today, it is rare to see Chinese people on the streets of India.

Those Chinese immigrants who once chose to settle in India seem to be leaving in large numbers, with many having already returned to China.

What exactly has caused this reverse flow of Chinese immigrants? And how has the Indian government responded to this situation?

China and India, as the world's two most populous countries, are intertwined like a web, with historical, cultural, and economic exchanges closely connecting them.

However, in recent years, the number of Chinese immigrants in India has significantly decreased, even leading to a large-scale exodus.

At the end of the 18th century, the first batch of Chinese immigrants set foot on Indian soil. At that time, it was the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty, and some Chinese, carrying hopes for the future, settled in Calcutta in eastern India, gradually forming a Chinese community.

As time went on, more Chinese migrated to India, intermarried with the locals, and contributed to India’s economy and culture.

But this process was not without challenges. Anti-foreign sentiment within Indian society loomed over the Chinese community like a shadow.

The enormous cultural differences created a gulf that was difficult to cross. For early Chinese immigrants, India was more of a temporary place to seek wealth rather than a lifelong home.

Their initial motivation for moving to India was driven more by the push of poverty at home, but in their hearts, their homeland remained an inseparable part of their identity.

In the 1960s, the Chinese community in Calcutta began to decline.

Many Chinese, facing various pressures, chose to leave the place that had once carried their hopes and dreams.

The Sino-Indian war in the mid-1960s further worsened the situation for Chinese people in India.

The bank accounts of overseas Chinese were frozen, exit procedures were obstructed at every turn, and some were even arbitrarily arrested on the streets.

Citing "security threats," the Indian government detained more than 2,000 Chinese people, imprisoning them in harsh concentration camps.

Under such extreme conditions, many fell ill or even died, and life for the overseas Chinese was like being in hell.

For the Chinese, India was no longer a place where they could live peacefully, and escape became their only option.

At the same time, the deep-rooted economic inequality in Indian society continued to worsen.

This social inequality made economic hardships more apparent, while China, during the same period, was experiencing rapid economic growth.

China's rise further strengthened the Chinese immigrants’ yearning for their homeland.

With the economic disparity between China and India becoming more pronounced, Chinese immigrants were increasingly eager to return to China or move to other countries with broader development opportunities.

The caste system was another important reason why the Chinese chose to leave.

India's long-standing caste system limited social mobility, making it difficult for lower castes to break free from their fates.

In such a rigid social system, Chinese people found it hard to obtain equal opportunities and were unable to achieve their own development and dreams.

Facing various challenges, the younger generation of Chinese no longer placed their hopes in India.

They turned their attention to countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia, seeking a more equitable and opportunity-filled social environment.

Currently, the number of people in India's Chinese community has dwindled to about 6,000.

Although the Chinese in India once enjoyed brief prosperity, today’s reality has left them more marginalized.

Nevertheless, the Chinese have still managed to preserve their cultural traditions in India.

They continue to pass down Chinese culture by publishing Chinese newspapers and opening Chinese schools.

During the annual Spring Festival and other traditional holidays, Chinese communities still gather to celebrate, holding on to their deep connection to Chinese culture.

Even though they strive to integrate into Indian society, the cultural and religious differences make it difficult for them to find a true sense of belonging.

The lack of economic opportunities and an uncertain future leave many young Chinese feeling lost.

The often tense Sino-Indian relations only exacerbate their anxiety and concerns about their future lives.