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Tarun Basu in New Delhi
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has lauded the 20-million strong Indian diaspora's efforts in promoting a better understanding of the country abroad and pledged his eternal support for the community.
On the eve of Independence day, Vajpayee said that by their sheer energy, enterprise and achievements, Indians overseas have enhanced the country's image and promoted keener appreciation of its concerns.
"This was most graphically demonstrated after our nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998, when the people of Indian origin abroad were able to project to the countries of their domicile the security concerns and geo-strategic considerations which led India to this step," Vajpayee said in an interview.
In a bid to illustrate his commitment to addressing all issues concerning the diaspora, Vajpayee said his government had set up a high-level committee under LM Singhvi, Member of Parliament and a former high commissioner to Britain, to look at all issues concerning non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin.
"It is for the first time since our independence that we are seriously engaging the Indian diaspora to develop such mutually beneficial linkages," he said.
"The committee will also study how we can facilitate their (Indian community's) involvement in social, economic and technological transformation of India," he said.
Vajpayee also sought to allay concerns over New Delhi's responses to situations when members of the Indian community have faced political and social hardship in the past, like in Fiji and Uganda.
"It is also a well known fact that while we have never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries, we have always raised our voice in all possible forums against discrimination in any form.
"We have worked consistently, both bilaterally and in international organisations, to support the struggle against such discrimination. The example of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa is illustrative," he said.
The prime minister appreciated the remittances made to India by NRIs and People of Indian Origin.
He said NRIs in Gulf countries send around $4 billion every year to India.
He also noted with appreciation the diaspora's response to the Resurgent India bonds of 1998 and the Millennium deposit scheme of 1999.
"We believe that this indicates confidence in the strength and vibrancy of our economy," he said.
But he admitted that India was unable to tap the full potential of wooing members of diaspora to visit the country as tourists.
"My government is studying a variety of schemes to create better infrastructure in tourism promotion and to encourage the development of attractive tourism packages," he said.
"This is an area in which private industry should essentially take initiatives," he added.
Vajpayee said his government was aware of the increasing demand for educational facilities in the country from people of Indian origin overseas.
"We are making every effort to cater to this demand within the constraints of the expanding domestic demand and the pace at which we can increase capacities of our existing educational facilities," he said.
"Already, among the developing countries, India has the largest number of students from abroad, in which the Indian diaspora has a very high proportion."
Indo-Asian News Service
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