Terming the Indian diaspora as partners for country’s development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said they have an important position in the Government’s Action Agenda- 2020. Speaking at the first Persons of Indian Origin-Parliamentarian Conference, Modi urged the lawmakers from across the world to act as catalysts in the country’s economic growth.
A total of 141 lawmakers from 23 countries took part in the conference organised by Ministry of External Affairs to engage the diaspora as part of diplomatic outreach. The Prime Minister called the PIOs as permanent ambassadors of India and partners for India’s development.
“At a time when the world is divided by ideologies, you can tell about India’s inclusive philosophy of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas…When concerns are rising in the world about extremism and radicalisation, you can tell the world about message of India’s tradition of respect to all religion,” Modi said.
Talking about India’s foreign policy, the PM said India has always played a constructive role in the world arena. “We do not measure our policy towards any nation on the basis of profit or loss but view it through the prism of human values,” Modi said.
“We neither have the intention of exploiting anyone’s resources nor are we eye anyone’s territory. Our focus has always been on capacity building and resource development,” he added. The comments come in the wake of India’s increasing border tensions with China and growing Chinese efforts to expand its influence in the region.
Urging the POIs to invest in India and be part of its growth story, Modi mentioned the string of economic reforms undertaken by his Government which has fetched $60 billion FDI in 2016-17. “India is changing, India is transforming. India has moved far ahead and Indian hopes are at the top and you will see the result of change in every sphere. A record $60 billion FDI came into the country last year,” he said.
He also asked the diaspora to take advantage of Government’s ‘visiting adjunct joint research faculty’ under which they can work up to three months in India.
The PM also praised External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for continuously keeping an eye on issues being faced by Indian citizens abroad. In this context, he mentioned the ‘MADAD’ portal for real-time monitoring and response of consular grievances. “Sushma Swaraj ji not only takes care of Indian citizens but also the NRIs. Under her, our Ministry of External Affairs keeps an eye on problems of NRIs 24x7 with a real-time monitoring system,” Modi said.
The PIO lawmakers heard Modi with rapt attention. For many it was another opportunity to touch base with India, a country their forefather left decades ago. For several others it was a chance to explore their roots for the first time.
The young Member of Parliament from the Philippines, Amanda Christina la ‘O Bagatsing, is in India for the first time and she wants to make most of it. A visit to Taj Mahal and Jaipur is in the bucket list of the MP from Manila who also hopes to visit Punjab, a State that holds lineage to the influential Filipino Bagatsing family.
Similarly, for Niklaus Samuel Gugger, the first-ever MP of Indian origin in Switzerland’s Parliament, coming to India is an emotional moment. The Kerala-born Gugger is an adopted child of his Swiss parents and at the conference he narrated his journey from Kerala to Swiss Parliament.
The PIOs too shared their ideas on how to increase the involvement between India and its diasporas. Santokhi Chandrikaprasad, MP from Surinam, suggested setting up an Information Technology University by India in the region and establishing a Diaspora Fund.