That's actually really interesting. I wonder if there has been any research around this preferred marketing race phenomenon. It's interesting that an asian country would show preference for whites, while a white country shows preference for non-whites.

In the US the motivation is entirely political (and a meta layer of playing to political interests). What's the related phenomenon in India about, in your opinion?

Lighter skin is a near-universal beauty ideal, including in cultures with no love of the West. It's apparently biological, and nobody's sure why it's a thing.

That's because white skin and white foreigners are actually put on a faux pedestal in Asia.

Nothing to do with diversity.