Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

First Meeting of the PM's Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians

The Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians consisting of sixteen eminent overseas Indians representing different disciplines from across the world attended met today.

Prime Minister said that never before Government of India had brought together on one platform such an eminent group with the wealth of knowledge, experience and achievements as the Members of the Global Advisory Council. Prime Minister observed that he was confident that India would quickly return to sustained high growth path of 9-10 percent.

The Members of the Council appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister for setting up the Council, and providing a platform for overseas Indian community to share their experience and knowledge for the socio-economic development of India. Members were of the unanimous view that India and its overseas community can and should build a strong, strategic and mutually beneficial partnership. Members shared their views on various aspects such as contributing to social and philanthropic work, education and skill development, collaborating work with the academic and scientific community, developing institutions of excellence, facilitating investments into India, and initiatives for facilitating young overseas Indians to rediscover their roots.

Prime Minister welcomed the ideas and suggestions made by Members of the Council. Prime Minister said that the Government would give most careful consideration to all the suggestions made by the Council members, and that he looked forward to sustained dialogue with the Members of the Global Advisory Council, including through smaller steering groups focusing on specific areas, in opening new avenues of cooperation between the overseas Indian community and India. The External Affairs Minister, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and senior officials also participated in the discussions.