Sacramento, California, USA: Over the past four decades, how many Indians who moved to the US have become global icons like Sundar Pichai or Satya Nadella? The number is very small. Most have certainly built comfortable lives, climbing professional ladders in a variety of roles across cities big and small in the United States. They often married fellow Indians, raised two (sometimes three) children, enrolled them in quality schools and universities, bought houses, cars, and art, pursued hobbies, and enjoyed vacations abroad.

However, their lives are no longer drastically different from those of their peers who stayed back in India from the 1980s onward. A few have become nationally renowned in India as well, but most remain largely unknown despite leading successful lives. Many have thriving careers, whether as professionals or entrepreneurs, earning substantial incomes, investing in properties, finding life partners, raising children, accumulating gadgets, art, and enjoying leisure activities including foreign travel.

In earlier decades, though, there was a noticeable gap between the experiences of Indians who moved to the US and those who remained in the socialist, scarcity-driven, licence-heavy India. This difference created a distinct dynamic between NRIs and their fellow countrymen, with NRIs often seen as living in a world apart. It was no surprise that for much of the 20th century, many Indians aspired to achieve that “American dream.”

This perception began to shift after India’s economic liberalisation in the 1990s, as Indians became less deferential toward—and less envious of—NRIs. Nonetheless, India’s education system continued to produce highly skilled talent, ensuring that Indians claimed a large share of H-1B visas, enabling thousands of tech professionals to pursue opportunities in the US. At the same time, India itself started presenting opportunities that mirrored the US dream, making geography rather than quality the key difference.

Consider this: is the day-to-day life of a tech professional, executive, or manager in India today that different from someone in a similar role in the US? With moderate salaries in the US, are NRIs truly living a “First World” lifestyle superior to a good job in India? Not necessarily. And if they are valued enough, they have little to fear from Trump’s $100,000 H-1B levy, as employers will pay to retain indispensable talent. Yet, few possess the confidence to rely on that.

So, outside of high finance or advanced scientific research where the US still leads in facilities, what motivates Indians to emigrate now? Often, it’s more about an unspoken desire to work in a “Western country” while maintaining their cultural ties, rather than practical career considerations. Few seek US work purely for roles like truck driving or farming.

While most US universities fall short of Ivy League or top-tier tech standards, they still provide certain facilities unavailable in many Indian institutions. This explains why some Indians still prefer a degree from an average US university over an average Indian one. But does it make sense in 2025 to remain in the US just for an unremarkable job in an unfamiliar location? Increasingly, the answer is no.

India today offers more opportunities than ever before, including for top talent. With the US facing multiple crises and uncertainty about immigration policies, there is no need to panic over H-1B visas. This is a reality check for Indians who may have overlooked the opportunities their own country provides. It’s time to wake up and smell the chai.