Mythology, folklore, and racial purity: Foreign women flocking to India, targeting men from this area; pregnancy tourism rampant?

Many people think of pregnant women traveling to other countries when they hear the term 'pregnancy tourism'. It was once a trend to travel to countries like the US during pregnancy in order to obtain citizenship for their baby through birth. Some travel like this to obtain a passport and to seek better living conditions. However, in the Aryan Valley of Ladakh, pregnancy tourism has other meanings. The term is associated with mythology, folklore, and racial purity.

The Brokpa community, also called Drokpas or Minaro, are an ethnically distinct group residing in the Aryan Valley villages of Dah, Hanu, Darchik, Biama, and Garkon in the Batalik sector of Ladakh, India. They are believed to be the direct descendants of the Aryans. Unlike other Ladakhi communities, the Brokpa have distinct features. Their tall build, fair skin and light eyes set them apart. They are described as the "last pure Aryans". The Brokpa are said to be descendants of soldiers who accompanied Emperor Alexander to the region.

There are reports that foreign women, including from Germany and other parts of Europe, travel to Brokpa villages to get pregnant by Brokpa men. The aim is to pass on valuable "pure Aryan" genetics to the child. Local men are reportedly commercializing pregnancy and are paid handsomely for it.

Meanwhile, geneticists and historians have dismissed the claim that the Brokpa are direct descendants of the Aryans. Historians say there is no historical evidence for this claim. Most believe that pregnancy tourism in Ladakh is an isolated incident and is mostly a story to attract tourists.