Inaugurating the Pravasi Bharati Divas, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that we celebrate and honour the contribution of Overseas Indians to their spiritual and ancestral home. He said that the last year was an eventful year in India, as we concluded the world’s largest democratic exercise in May 2009. He said that his government was working on giving the right to exercise their franchise to Persons of Indian Origin by the next general elections. Further, he felt that Overseas Indians should be encouraged to join public life and politics upon their return to India, just as they are joining business and academia.

Dr. Singh said that India had become one of the top investment destinations in the world but Overseas Indians have remained conservative investors even though they are good savers. He urged them to invest their savings in long-term opportunities for direct investment rather than keep their money in bank deposits. He hoped that the Overseas Investment Facilitation Centre (OIFC) would become an effective tool for channeling such investments. With Indian industry becoming globally integrated, there would be many opportunities for the Indian diaspora to link-up Indian companies with global markets.

He also urged Overseas Indians to become involved in the Economic and social development of the country. While rapid growth had helped to lift millions of people out of poverty, much remains to be achieved in this area. Sectors such as Infrastructure, Agriculture, Health and Education will be the priority for his government in its second term, as the access to economic opportunities and social services needs to be expanded. He said that it would be important for the second generation of Overseas Indians to be involved in this endeavour.

Dr. Singh also discussed the important subject of the welfare and security of overseas Indian workers and students. He said that many of them had been adversely affected by the global downturn and his government is working on proving a social security safety net for returning workers. Government is also negotiating with the governments of countries with large emigrant Indian populations such as Malaysia, Bahrain and Qatar to improve the welfare and protection provided to Indian workers. He said that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has established the ‘Indian Community Welfare Fund’ in 18 countries but there was also a need to structure an appropriate ‘Return and Resettlement Fund’.

The inaugural session of the PBD was also addressed by Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Indian Overseas Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs. Shiela Dikshit, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi and Lord Khalid Hameed, CBD DL Hampstead and Chief Guest of the programme. Mr. Vayalar Ravi said that his Ministry would endeavour to develop an agenda for action to engage with the Indian diaspora around the key pillars of Investment, Knowledge, Philanthropy and Skill Development. Mrs. Sheila Dikshit welcomed all the delegates to Delhi and said that her government was making an effort to make Delhi a truly global city. Even as the most modern infrastructure was being built for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in the current year, she reminded delegates that Delhi is one of the greenest capitals in the world.

Lord Khaleed Hameed delivered an inspirational address calling for inter-faith harmony as the only road to peace and prosperity in the globalizing world. He said that all religions prohibit the killing of innocent people. He preached the message of peace and harmony by asking people to reject extremism in the name of religion.

Quoting the Arthava Veda, he said “we are birds of the same nest, we may have different skins, different language, different cultures but we share the same home – our earth”. Lord Hameed inviting participation of overseas Indians to bring this prayer to fruition also appealed for greater partnership of youth in the peace process.

The Prime Minister released an investment toolkit for Overseas Indians and also an electronic platform for business and investment facilitation. The Vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Venu Srinivasan, President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He highlighted the success of the OIFC which was a successful public private partnership between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and CII. He praised the Prime Minister, under whose leadership India had become an island of stability and growth. The strength of the gathering showed the confidence posed in him and in the future of the Indian economy by the Overseas Indian community.

1.The Government of India have been seriously concerned at the series of attacks on Indian students, as well as members of the Indian community, in Australia over the past few years, especially at the increasing incidents of assaults since May 2009. The most recent incidents resulting in the tragic deaths of Indian citizens only underline the need for addressing these concerns at the earliest.

2. This issue has been taken up at the highest levels during the visits of high-level dignitaries from Australia, and visits by our dignitaries to Australia, particularly over the last six months. External Affairs Minister had visited Australia in August 2009. It is a matter of concern that, in spite of serious and concerted efforts by the Australian Government to deal with this issue to address our concerns, these attacks are continuing, and have even resulted in fatalities. Following his statement on January 3, 2010, External Affairs Minister personally reiterated our serious concern to the Australian High Commissioner today, and emphasized the need for prompt remedial action.

3. Our High Commissioner in Australia has conveyed to the Australian Government the importance of addressing the concerns raised by these attacks, and the need for prompt and speedy action in finding and charging the perpetrators and ascertaining the reasons behind the attacks. The High Commissioner also requested that Indian authorities should be kept informed, on a regular basis, of the progress of the investigations.

4. The Australian Government has also been formally requested for complete statistics regarding the number of attacks as also the statistical break-down. The Government of India hopes that the series of measures already promised by the Australian authorities as to better policing and better surveillance in crime-prone areas are increased and kept in place, until such time as the attacks cease, and the Indian community in Australia is reassured about its safety and security.

5. The High Commission of India in Canberra and the Consulate General in Melbourne and Sydney are in regular touch with the concerned authorities both at the Federal and State levels in Australia. The High Commissioner and the Consul General in Melbourne met the Acting Premier of Victoria, Rob Hulls, and the Deputy Commissioner of the Victoria Police to impress upon them the need for urgent action. They were assured that the Victoria Government was making all efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. The High Commission and the Consulate General are rendering all assistance for the early despatch of the bodies of the deceased to their families in India and necessary financial assistance will be provided by Government of India for this purpose.

6. While these incidents have received extensive coverage in the print and electronic media, both in India and Australia, there is need for calm and balance, to let the concerned authorities in Australia take remedial measures to ensure there are no further incidents of this nature.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith telephoned External Affairs Minister, Shri S.M. Krishna. The Australian FM conveyed his condolences on the tragic deaths of Indian citizens in Australia in recent attacks, and said that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia had already condemned these attacks.

EAM conveyed his deep concern at the recent series of attacks especially in the last 10 days, which seem to have recurred after a period of relative calm of a few months. He reiterated the need for immediate corrective measures, pointing out that the issue had consistently figured in our Parliament.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith conveyed that he was conscious of the need for an early breakthrough in the ongoing investigations concerning these incidents, and that his Government attached the highest priority to ensure the continued well-being of Indian students. He was also appreciative of the concern in our Parliament following these unfortunate incidents. He conveyed his understanding of the spirit in which EAM had underlined GOI's grave concerns.

EAM recalled that Australian leaders had time and again, reassured India that the Australian authorities were treating the incidents of assaults with utmost seriousness. However, the incidents seem to be continuing. He emphasized to the Australian Foreign Minister that non-redressal of this vital issue will cast a shadow on our otherwise excellent bilateral relations, and urged that the Australian government should immediately ensure that the concerned State police authorities deal with ongoing investigations with sensitivity and a sense of urgency.