Indian Indonesians are Indonesian citizens of Indian ancestry, and as of 2026, their estimated population is around 1.3 lakh (130,000). Most are descendants of migrants who came to Indonesia during the 19th and 20th centuries. A large number were brought by the Dutch as indentured laborers to work on plantations around Medan in North Sumatra. While many migrants came from South India, a significant number also arrived from North India, including Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.

The community later grew with the arrival of Sindhi traders and families in the early 20th century, forming the second major wave of Indian migration. A fresh influx began in the late 1970s, when major Indian investments entered Indonesia, attracting entrepreneurs, professionals, engineers, consultants, bankers, and corporate managers. Over the past few decades, this group has continued to expand.

Today, most Indians in Indonesia are concentrated in North Sumatra and key urban centers such as Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, and Banda Aceh. Medan alone is home to a large Tamil community of about 75,000 people, representing nearly 75% of the total Indian-Indonesian population. Many North Indian families are also present across the country, often engaged in textiles, trade, and business services.

Although there are no official consolidated figures, it is estimated that Indonesia hosts around 25,000 PIOs/NRIs, while the number of Indian expatriates registered with the Embassy and the Consulate in Medan is approximately 75,000.

Regions with Significant Indian Populations

• Medan

• Jakarta

• Surabaya

• Banda Aceh

• Denpasar

• Padang

• Surakarta