New Delhi: Recently, an Indian investment banker named Sarthak Ahuja posted something on LinkedIn that received quite a lot of attention, according to him, during his visits to other countries, particularly the US, UK, Canada, and Europe, he observed one thing, there are some Pakistanis abroad who act like Indians.
What Happened in New York?
Sarthak shared one example from a hotel in New York. While checking in, he spoke to the receptionist, who looked South Asian. When Sarthak asked where he was from, the man hesitated a bit and finally said, “Gujarat.” But Sarthak felt something was off. He thought the man’s accent and way of speaking sounded more Pakistani than Indian.
Here’s the twist, there’s a city called Gujarat in Pakistan too, not just the Indian state. Sarthak guessed that some people might use this name on purpose so others assume they’re Indian. He called it a kind of “safe word.”
Not just one time
Sarthak said this wasn’t the only time he saw something like this. He has come across similar situations many times in different countries. He thinks that some Pakistanis abroad try to hide their real identity because they’re worried about how Pakistan is seen by others.
He also talked about something he noticed in the UK. Many restaurants run by Pakistanis are called Indian restaurants. He said the owners don’t usually tell Indian customers that they’re actually from Pakistan. The reason could be that the Indian identity is seen as more positive or appealing, especially when it comes to food.
After Sarthak posted this, many people joined the conversation on social media. Some shared their own stories and said they’ve seen this too. They also mentioned that lots of restaurants that call themselves “Indian” are actually owned by Pakistanis.
This started a bigger discussion about identity, business branding, and how South Asians are viewed in Western countries.
Not meant to hurt anyone
Sarthak made it clear that he’s not trying to insult or hurt anyone. He said he wishes the best for everyone, including Pakistanis. He just thinks that India’s good image around the world has helped many South Asians, no matter where they’re from, to find jobs and grow their businesses abroad.
He also pointed out that India’s strong reputation globally has made the Indian identity valuable in many fields. Because of this, some people might find it helpful to call themselves Indian while living abroad.
