India will deepen ties with its diaspora: President

September 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is organising the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-Europe (PBD-E), a regional diaspora event, at the Hague in the Netherlands Sep 19. The event, to be held at the World Forum, is to "celebrate the success of Indian diaspora and unite them for a better India".

September 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has only now begun to tap its 25-million diaspora in 130 countries to boost its growth, unlike China that owes much of its economic miracle to the overseas Chinese, says a study released Friday. Indian companies have tapped into the Indian diaspora less well than the Chinese firms into the Chinese diaspora, says Tarun Khanna, professor at the Harvard Business School and a contributor to the study called The Global Indian Firm.

August 19th, 2009 Port-of-SPAIN - The Indian diaspora has an unquestionable commitment and concern towards the development of the Caribbean countries in which they stay and to the region as a whole, said a minister, adding "this is their society where they have their own roots and which they have helped to shape". Senator Lenny Saith, minister in the Office of the Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister, lauded the Indian diaspora that forms 44 percent of the country's population, while speaking Sunday at a seminar organised by the Indian High Commission, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, University of the West Indies, National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) and Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).

August 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - An organisation of Indians settled abroad will be celebrating its 20th anniversary here through a convention Aug 20-23, on the theme "People of Indian Origin: Strengthening Global Connections". The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) will hold the event that will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the global Indian diaspora, evaluate the body's progress in 20 years, to network, exchange ideas and connect with Persons of Indian Origin and Non Resident Indians.

July 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After the US and Asia, the next mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), a conclave of the Indian diaspora, will be held in September in the Netherlands, in Europe. The Hague in the Netherlands will be the venue for the third mini PBD Sep 19.

June 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI - US President Barack Obama is committed to broadening and deepening relations with India, according to a letter from him given Thursday to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. US Undersecretary of State William Burns handed over the communication from Obama to the prime minister.

June 5th, 2009 BRUSSELS - Welcoming the address of President Pratibha Patil to the Indian parliament, the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in Belgium said the importance of the Indian diaspora must not be viewed only in static economic terms but as social and cultural ambassadors of India, EuAsiaNews reported Friday. President Patil in her address to the parliament said Thursday India would deepen its ties with its 25-million diaspora in 130 countries that has emerged as an important force in respective countries of domicile.

June 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - President Pratibha Patil Thursday said the reshaping of relations with Pakistan would depend on its sincerity in preventing terrorist groups from launching attacks against India. My government will seek to reshape our relationship with Pakistan depending on the sincerity of Pakistan to confront groups who launch terrorist attacks against India from its territory, Patil said in her address to the joint session of parliament.

June 4th, 2009 CAIRO - In a much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world from Cairo Thursday, US President Barack Obama said he would expand economic, scientific and educational ties with predominantly Muslim countries. "We will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries," Obama said.

April 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India-US relations that have warmed up considerably over the past few years are not dependent on a change in government in either country, US Deputy Chief of Mission Steven J. White said here Friday.

March 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Over 400 delegates from African countries are participating in a three-day India-Africa business conclave that started here Sunday, seeking ways to boost bilateral economic ties, an industry lobby said. The major focus of the fifth CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership is infrastructure development in Africa, and both sides are also seeking enhanced ties to beat the effect of the slowdown, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of the organisers of the event, said.

January 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rang up her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee Friday, underlining the US' desire to take the relationship with India to a new level. 'Secretary Clinton expressed her desire to work together with the external affairs minister to take the relationship between India and the USA to a new level,' the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

January 8th, 2009 CHENNAI - The following are some of the highlights of the seventh edition of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that concluded here Friday: - Nearly 1,500 delegates from 48 countries - Maximum number of 270 delegates from Malaysia followed by 127 from the US - Thirteen prominent Indians abroad presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman - The Global Indian Knowledge Network launched to create a virtual think tank by connecting the diaspora - Qualified professional holding overseas citizen of India card can soon practice in India - Smart card to be issued to all Indian workers immigrating from June 1 - Diaspora recognises that India's growth story remains positive and presents them opportunities for investing - Consensus for increased diaspora participation in health, education and rural development under public-private partnership - Chief ministers and senior cabinet members of six states outline opportunities during separate interactions with delegates

January 7th, 2009 CHENNAI - Qualified overseas Indian professionals, with Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards as well as others, can soon practise in India, it was announced here Thursday. The government will extend its new scheme permitting qualified professionals holding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards to practise in India to other members of diaspora possessing similar qualification.

January 6th, 2009 CHENNAI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will Thursday launch three major initiatives to bring India closer with its 25 million diaspora in 130 countries in areas covering knowledge, investment and philanthropy. The Global Indian Network of Knowledge, or Global INK, will provide opportunity for professionals - individuals and organisations - among overseas Indians to engage as partners in development projects.