This paper highlights the trends in the out-migration flow of Indian workers to the Gulf countries in terms of volume and destination, as well as origin in India. It mainly focuses on contract workers who migrated under the Indian Emigration Act of 1983. Further on, it discusses the socioeconomic characteristics of migrants. This is be followed by a discussion of the administrative framework monitoring their movement and help, if any, in redressing their grievances. Finally, the impact of Indian migration on the Gulf countries as well as India and on Indo-Gulf relations is discussed, and demographic, economic, and socio-cultural factors are considered. The analysis is generally within a political economy conceptual framework.
