Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday assured Indian diaspora that the country's economy is heading for good times, and there is no reason to despair about India's present or worry about its future.
Addressing the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, Dr. Singh said: "I know that many of you have questions about the future of the Indian economy and concerns about social challenges, the shape of our polity and the issues of governance in our country. There is a perception in some quarters outside India that the country is losing its momentum of the past decade. This is also amplified by the political contestations here in India, which are inevitably louder in the election season that is now on the horizon."
" I wish to assure you that there is no reason to despair about our present or worry about our future. Indeed, as I have said earlier, we are heading into better times ahead and I would urge you to remain engaged in the future of this country with confidence and optimism," he added.
He said that after the UPA Government came to power, it had established the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and launched the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana for them.
"We on our part will continue to support and assist you, and promote your links with India in every possible way. It was for this purpose that, when our Government came to power, we established the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. We have also recently launched the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana to provide social security to Indian workers abroad," he added.
He further said the government will continue to support and assist them and promote their links with India in every possible way.
Dr. Singh also said that the Indian expatriate community's contribution to the country has been invaluable in several spheres of the economy and society and this year, New Delhi particularly welcomes the younger generation among the expatriates.
The Prime Minister said that India is prepared to assume the international role and responsibilities that the world expects from it.
"I have no doubt that we are prepared to assume the international role and responsibilities that the world at large expects from a rising India. I am also confident that the association between India and its over twenty-two million roving ambassadors in the expatriate Indian community will continue to deepen and prosper in the years that lie ahead," he added.
Lauding Malaysian Minister of Natural Resource and Environment, Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, who was chief guest on the occasion, Dr. Singh said: "He embodies the ideas that bring us together for Pravasiya Bharatiya Diwas. Not only does he have an outstanding record of public service and personal accomplishments, he also represents a vibrant Indian community, which has made an immense contribution to Malaysia's progress and served as an effective bridge of understanding and friendship between India and Malaysia.
"Ours are two pluralist democracies that have many common interests in their shared neighbourhood and have built a strong partnership in the last decade. We are delighted, Palanivel, to have you with us today," he added.
