Crossword Genius

Foreigner needs help back into lodging (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

indian

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'foreigner' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'needs help back into lodging' is the wordplay.
'needs help' becomes 'aid' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'needs' bit.).
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'lodging' becomes 'inn' (I've seen this in another clue).
'aid' back-to-front is 'dia'.
'dia' going within 'inn' is 'INDIAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for indian that I've seen before include "Sub-continental native" , "Club, summer or rope-trick" , "Type of ink or summer" , "One from the sub-continent" , "He's from 16 down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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