External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has praised the Indian community in Oman for boosting the economy of Gulf nation.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Muscat yesterday, Swaraj said the contribution of hard working Indians in lifting Oman's economy could not be neglected.
"By providing highly skilled services at a competitive cost, our community's role has become indispensible for the Omani economy. Your sustained remittances over the years have contributed to our foreign exchange reserves and are a valuable livelihood source for millions of dependents in India. May I read that India is the recipient of the largest global remittances sent by the expatriate populations anywhere in the world in the Gulf region, is the largest source of remittances for us," Swaraj said.
Swaraj also thanked the NRIs for taking part in large numbers in the diaspora event in Gujarat in January.
"The last budget in 2014 has set up an NRI fund to clean and develop river Ganga. We are embarked on the Digital India programme. The government has invited both foreigners and NRI entrepreneurs to come and join these efforts. In this context, I would like to congratulate Indian community in Oman for their strong presence in the recent Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat," she said.
Swaraj, who is presently on a two-day official visit here at the invitation of the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, will hold extensive talks with her Omani counterpart. The two leaders are also likely to discuss Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Oman later this year.
