The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh chaired the fourth meeting of the Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians on 8 January 2013 at Kochi. Thirteen eminent Overseas Indians from across the world attended the meeting. Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs; Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Shri Salman Khursheed, Minister of External Affairs; Shri M.M. Pallam Raju, Minister of Human Resource Development; Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; and senior officials of Government of India also attended the meeting.

2. The Eminent Overseas Indians present included Shri Karan F.Bilimoria, Shri Swadesh Chatterjee, Ms. Ela Gandhi, Lord Khalid Hameed, Dr. Renu Khator, Shri Kishore Mahbubani, Shri L.N.Mittal, Lord Bhiku Chotalal Parekh, Shri Sam Pitroda, Tan Sri Dato’ Ajit Singh, Mr. Neville Joseph Roach, Prof. Srinivasa SR Varadhan and Shri Yusuffali M.A.

3. During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on key international issues and their implications for India, including the global economic situation; developments in West Asia and the Gulf region; energy security; and trends in the Asia Pacific region. The members also gave their perspectives on strengthening engagement between India and the Overseas Indians as well as between India and various countries in the bilateral sphere. Prime Minister thanked the members for their perspective and constructive suggestions.

4. Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians was constituted in 2009 and meets annually. Its objective is to draw upon the experience and knowledge of eminent Overseas Indians in diverse fields from across the world, to develop a comprehensive agenda for engagement between India and the Diaspora.