The Prime Minister says that while India greatly values the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad, they have to do much more to the building of modern India.

Inaugurating the 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Jaipur today, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, notifications for registration of Overseas Indians have been issued to enable them to participate in elections in India. A bill has been introduced in the last Session of Parliament to amend the Citizenship Act. This will provide for an Overseas Indian card which will be given to foreign spouses of such cardholders as well.

He said, Human Resource Mobility Partnership Agreements are being negotiated with the Netherlands, France, Australia and the European Union to cover skilled workers, academicians and professionals.Dr. Singh said, Government has decided to introduce and sponsor a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund for Overseas Indian workers. It will help them to voluntarily save for their return, resettlement and old age.

The Prime Minister said that India has conveyed to the countries in Gulf and West Asia that it has a stake in peace and stability of this region. He hoped that the interests of Indian communities in these countries would be appropriately looked after. An action plan has also been prepared to implement the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee regarding repatriation, relief and rehabilitation of Indian nationals affected by recent developments in West Asia.

About governance and delivery of public services, Dr. Singh said that sincere attempts are being made to address the rising expectations of the people. The Right to Information Act has proved a powerful instrument of bringing transparency in Government. He said, other legislations on these issues, now on the national agenda will make a similar impact.

Dr. Singh said that despite an adverse international environment, Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7 per cent this year. He hoped to return to 9-10 per cent annual growth in the medium term on strong economic fundamentals.

Addressing the conference, Chief Guest and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Prasad Bissessar said that India is a fast growing economy and Indian Diaspora across the world is playing a major role in changing world’s scenario.

Referring to the strong cultural relationship between India and her country she said, trade and investment are the sectors where mutual cooperation can be increased.