Some 3,000 delegates took part in the Asean India Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Singapore with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj leading the Indian charge.
The two-day convention, which ended today, was held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
PBD is celebrated every year to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government, reconnect them with their roots and celebrate their achievements and contributions, with 13 PBD conventions have been held in India so far, according to information at its website.
The conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the Government on issues of concern to the Indian Diaspora and to explore opportunities for investment in India and contribution to the country of their origin. These conventions also provide an opportunity to the overseas Indians to network with other overseas Indians residing in various parts of the world.
During the PBD Convention, overseas Indians are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognise their contributions in various fields both in India and abroad, the website added.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at the ASEAN-India PBD, Sushma said India’s dialogue partnership with Asean has evolved into a strategic partnership and the Indian diaspora provides a platform for stronger ties with the grouping.
“We are here to reaffirm our commitment and to share the course of our journey ahead to the future of India and ASEAN in the world…Our diaspora provides a platform for a stronger relationship between India and ASEAN countries,” she said, according to PTI.
Elaborating on the 25 year partnership, PTI quoted her as saying: “Our dialogue partnership has evolved into a strategic partnership…India’s engagement with the ASEAN region lies in the clarity of the principles that we share. We believe that when all nations adhere to international rules and norms and when we conduct on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect, our nations feel secure and our economies prosper.”
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