This paper reviews India's interface with its diaspora from the early years of the last century till September 2000 when the government adopted a new policy framework seeking stronger ties between the Indian diaspora and India. The earlier policy of 'studied indifference' has been gradually abandoned; instead the government has encouraged the construction of an 'Indian diaspora' which attempts to reterrorialise identities by consciously finding 'India' a place in the perception of People of Indian Origin (PIO) and seeking to rebuild roots.