Sushma Swaraj for 'mutually rewarding' ties with Indian diaspora

Describing Indian diaspora as "successful, prosperous and politically influential", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday called for a "mutually rewarding" partnership with it in developing the country.

"We welcome each of you--entrepreneurs, investors and professionals from the diaspora to participate in our endeavour to develop our motherland and restore its past glory. I promise it will be mutually rewarding and satisfying partnership," she told a gathering of expatriates at the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who formally inaugurated the government's annual outreach event for overseas Indians today, had taken a lead in engaging deeply with them.

"A successful, prosperous and politically influential diaspora is as much an asset to India as a strong and self-reliant India would be a source of inspiration for the diaspora," she added. The minister said overseas Indians had grown as a confident community of over 25 million people in the past couple of decades. "It pleases all Indians when overseas Indian community is respected for its work culture and discipline, successful integration with the local community and outstanding contribution to their respective countries," she said.