Respectful Terms for Indian People: What to Say (and Avoid) in 2025

Sep, 16 2025

You want to be respectful. Simple ask, right? But the language around identity can be messy. I hear it at my daughter Aditi’s school pickup in Melbourne all the time-kids swap snacks and someone asks, “Is she Indian or South Asian?” The intent is kind; the wording is where people hesitate. Here’s the short answer: if someone is from India or of Indian origin, “Indian” is respectful and correct. Everything else depends on context.

If you clicked through for the quickest fix, this guide gets you there fast. You’ll leave knowing the go-to term, when to choose “South Asian,” when to avoid “Hindu” as a stand-in for ethnicity, and how to check someone’s preference without making it awkward. We’ll also cover regional nuances (US/UK/Australia) so you don’t trip up. Consider this your practical, real-world reference. The respectful word for Indian might be simpler than you think.

TL;DR: Key takeaways you can use right now

• “Indian” is respectful for someone from India or of Indian origin. “Indian person” or “Indian people” is fine in formal or general contexts.
• Use “South Asian” when you mean the broader region (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives; sometimes Afghanistan), or when you’re unsure and need an inclusive umbrella term.
• Do not use religion as ethnicity. “Hindu” is a religion, not a synonym for Indian. India is multi-religious and multi-ethnic.
• “Desi” is a casual, community term for South Asian diaspora. It’s usually okay if you’re part of that community or the person uses it first. Outsiders should use it with care.
• Avoid outdated or confusing terms like “Oriental,” “Indo,” or using “Indian” for Indigenous peoples. In Australia say “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” in Canada “First Nations, Inuit, and Métis,” in the US “Native American” or a specific Nation.
• When unsure, ask: “How do you prefer to be identified-Indian, South Asian, or something else?” Keep it short and normal.

What to say-and when: a simple decision guide

Most confusion comes from mixing nationality, ethnicity, religion, and region. Sort those and you’ll speak clean and respectful.

1) Are you talking about nationality or origin?

• Someone with Indian citizenship or from India: say “Indian.”
• Someone whose family is Indian but they grew up in another country: hyphenated forms work-“Indian Australian,” “Indian American,” “British Indian.” If you know their preference, match it. If not, “Indian-origin” or “of Indian origin” is safe.

2) Are you speaking about a region, not one country?

• Talking about shared trends across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.: use “South Asian.”
• Unsure of someone’s specific heritage but want to be inclusive: “South Asian” is okay, especially in group contexts (e.g., “South Asian students’ association”).

3) Are you about to use a religious label?

• Skip it unless religion is directly relevant. “Hindu,” “Muslim,” “Sikh,” “Christian,” “Jain,” “Buddhist”-these describe faith, not ethnicity.
• If religion matters (say, for dietary needs), ask directly and respectfully: “Do you have any dietary preferences or restrictions?” Let the person volunteer details.

4) Do you need a more specific identity?

• If someone shares a specific community or language, use it: Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Malayali, etc. These can be more accurate than “Indian” in some cultural contexts.
• For language, avoid “Do you speak Indian?” India has hundreds of languages. Ask, “Do you speak Hindi-or another language?”

5) Is the setting formal, public, or policy-focused?

• Media, HR forms, research: use “Indian” for nationality/origin; “South Asian” for region. Offer self-describe options. Hyphenated identities (e.g., “Indian Australian”) are widely accepted.
• Follow local standards. In the US, “Asian Indian” appears in Census categories; in the UK, the ONS uses “Indian” under “Asian.” Australia’s Bureau of Statistics recognizes “Indian-born” and “Indian ancestry” in classifications.

6) Are you in a casual, community setting?

• “Desi” is friendly within South Asian circles. If you’re not part of the community, mirror the person’s language. If they call themselves “desi,” it’s fine to reflect it. If not, stick to “Indian” or “South Asian.”

One more thing I use at home with Aditi and even in chats at our local footy club: when you’re unsure, ask and move on. A simple, “Do you prefer Indian or South Asian?” lands far better than guessing.

Examples, phrases, and pitfalls to avoid

Here are clean, ready-to-use examples for everyday life, school, workplaces, media, and events. Then a quick list of pitfalls that trip people up.

Everyday and workplace examples

• Introducing a speaker: “Our next speaker is an Indian Australian entrepreneur from Melbourne.”
• Group description: “This event celebrates South Asian arts, including Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan performers.”
• Asking preference: “What do you prefer-Indian, South Asian, or something else?”
• Food: “We ordered Indian food-mostly Punjabi dishes-and a South Indian dosa stall.”
• HR form copy: “Please choose any that apply: Indian; Pakistani; Bangladeshi; Sri Lankan; Nepalese; South Asian (multiple countries); Prefer to self-describe: ____.”

Media and research writing

• “Indian-origin voters increased in the district, according to the electoral roll.”
• “South Asian small businesses-especially Indian and Bangladeshi grocers-grew in the last five years.”
• “Indian Australians report high rates of multilingual households, per the Australian Bureau of Statistics.”

School and community settings

• Newsletter: “Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, will be marked with a South Asian cultural showcase.”
• Class discussion: “Remember, ‘Hindu’ is a religion. People from India can be Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, or follow other faiths.”

Words and uses to avoid-or handle carefully

• Using “Hindu” to mean Indian. Not interchangeable.
• Calling Indigenous peoples “Indians.” In Australia, say “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.” In Canada, “First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.” In the US, use “Native American” or a specific Nation’s name. “American Indian” is used by some groups in the US, but defer to local preference.
• “Oriental.” Outdated and offensive for people. Don’t use it.
• “East Indian.” In North America this was used to contrast with “American Indian.” Today it’s confusing and usually unnecessary. Note: “East Indian” also names a specific Catholic community in Mumbai-don’t use it as a blanket label.
• “Indo” on its own. It’s not a respectful standalone identity label. “Indo-” works as a prefix in specific contexts (e.g., “Indo-Fijian”), but only when correct and relevant.
• Assuming language: “Do you speak Indian?” No. Try “Do you speak Hindi-or another language from India?”

When “South Asian” is smarter than “Indian”

• Regional data or events: “South Asian film festival,” “South Asian health survey.”
• When participants span multiple countries and you don’t want to exclude anyone.
• When someone has said they prefer “South Asian.” Respect self-identification.

When “Indian” is the right choice

• Nationality or origin specifically tied to India.
• Legal, demographic, or style contexts that use “Indian,” like the UK Office for National Statistics categories, or “Asian Indian” in US Census reporting.
• Culture or cuisine directly from India (while still being specific when you can: Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, Kerala/Goan, etc.).

Why you can trust this guidance: These terms align with major style and data sources. The US Census Bureau classifies “Asian Indian” under “Asian.” The UK Office for National Statistics includes “Indian” within “Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh.” The Australian Bureau of Statistics distinguishes “country of birth: India” and “ancestry: Indian.” Newsrooms using AP Style typically write “Indian” (nationality) and “Indian American” (hyphenated identity), and advise against religious labels as proxies for ethnicity. Government Indigenous style guides in Australia and Canada advise using specific Indigenous names, not “Indian.”

Mini‑FAQ, quick scripts, and next steps

Here’s where most people still have questions. Keep these answers and scripts handy for work, school, or community events. And if Luna, our cat, walks across your keyboard while you’re emailing, at least the template is ready.

Mini‑FAQ

• What is the most respectful, simple word?
  “Indian” for someone from India or of Indian origin. It’s plain, correct, and widely accepted.
• Is “South Asian” better than “Indian”?
  Neither is “better.” Use “South Asian” when you mean the broader region or you’re being intentionally inclusive across multiple countries. Use “Indian” when you’re talking about India specifically.
• Can I say “desi” if I’m not South Asian?
  Use with care. It’s mostly an in-group, colloquial term. If the person or community uses “desi,” you can mirror it. Otherwise, stick to “Indian” or “South Asian.”
• What about “East Indian”?
  Generally skip it. It’s a historical label in North America to contrast with “American Indian” and is confusing now. It also names a specific Mumbai-origin Catholic community; it’s not a catch-all.
• How should I label a mixed group?
  “South Asian” works if it includes multiple nationalities. If it’s Indians only, “Indian” is fine. You can also list countries: “Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi alumni.”
• What if I mess up?
  Correct yourself, keep it short, and move on: “Thanks for that-Indian, not Hindu. Got it.” The tone matters more than performative apologies.
• Do people in the UK use ‘Asian’ to mean South Asian?
  Often, yes. In the UK, “Asian” commonly refers to South Asian communities. In the US and Australia, “Asian” more often means East/Southeast Asian. Match local usage, but when in doubt, be specific.
• Is “Indian” okay in Australia?
  Yes. It’s standard. Australia’s national statistics and media use “Indian,” “Indian-born,” and “Indian ancestry.” For Indigenous Australians, use “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”-never “Indian.”
• Should I use hyphenated identities (e.g., Indian-Australian)?
  Yes, if that’s what the person uses. Both hyphenated and spaced forms are common: “Indian-Australian” or “Indian Australian.” Mirror the person or your style guide.
• Is it rude to ask someone’s preference?
  No, if you keep it simple and relevant: “How do you prefer to be described?” Ask once, remember it, move on.

Quick scripts you can copy

• Email intro (work): “I’d like to acknowledge Priya, an Indian Australian designer leading this project.”
• Event blurb: “Celebrating South Asian literature with Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan authors.”
• Survey item: “How do you identify? (Select all that apply) - Indian - Pakistani - Bangladeshi - Sri Lankan - Nepalese - South Asian - Prefer to self-describe: ____.”
• Polite ask: “Do you prefer Indian, South Asian, or a specific community like Punjabi or Tamil?”

Next steps by role

• HR/People teams: Update forms so “Indian” and “South Asian” are separate options. Allow multi-select and a self-describe field. Train staff not to use religion as a proxy for ethnicity.
• Teachers/educators: Use “Indian” for India-specific topics. Use “South Asian” for regional units. In class, clarify that “Indian” is not a religion; India includes many faiths and languages.
• Media/marketing: Follow your stylebook. Use “Indian” for nationality; “South Asian” for regional coverage. Avoid “East Indian” unless you mean the specific community. Don’t default to “desi” in external-facing copy unless the audience uses it.
• Event organizers: If you don’t know the mix of communities, label events “South Asian” and invite people to self-identify. Add country tags to keep recognition balanced.
• Everyone else: Ask once, remember, and reflect the person’s own terms. If you slip, correct and move on.

Troubleshooting awkward situations

• You said “Hindu” and meant “Indian.” Correct yourself quickly: “Sorry-Indian.” If relevant, say, “I’ll avoid using religion as shorthand.” Then proceed.
• You called a First Nations person “Indian.” Apologize: “I’m sorry. I meant First Nations.” Use the Nation’s name if you know it, and be careful next time. In Australia, say “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
• Two attendees prefer different terms-one “Indian,” one “South Asian.” Respect both. Use each person’s choice when referring to them. For the group, use “South Asian” if it’s mixed; otherwise use what fits the majority context.
• You’re writing a report and don’t know exact identities. Label the method: “We use ‘South Asian’ to include participants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.” That transparency earns trust.
• Social media comments say “desi,” your brand says “South Asian.” It’s fine to keep “South Asian” in the brand voice and mirror “desi” if you quote someone.

A note on authority and consistency: If you need a style anchor, look at the AP Stylebook for journalism, your organization’s diversity and inclusion guide, and official statistical bodies. In the US, the Census Bureau’s “Asian Indian” category signals how data is collected. In the UK, the ONS uses “Indian” as part of “Asian” classifications. In Australia, the ABS captures “Indian-born” and “Indian ancestry.” Aligning to these helps your language land well in formal settings.

Language moves, but the basics here don’t change: be specific when you can, be inclusive when you should, and let people lead on their own identities. That’s the respectful path-at school pick-up, in a meeting room, or while I’m prying Luna off my keyboard for the third time today.