PIO Parliamentarians Conference held on 10th January 2018 at The Ashok, New Delhi

The Conference, inaugurated by the Hon. President of India Ram Nath Kovind, was held with the theme of Building Bridges of Friendship and Understanding Between India and their Countries.

Diaspora is one of the six mega trends under the current phase of globalization. It has emerged as one of the global heritage resources in the socio-cultural arena and an important driver of global economic engagement.

Indian Diaspora estimated to be around 30 million strong and spread around 102 countries have demonstrated strong retention of their Indian identity and shown great emotional and cultural attachment with India. They have played a significant socio-cultural and democratic role in their host countries which reflect the democratic ethos and tolerant, accommodative value system of Indian civilization. The rising India with its global footprint and its urge to spread its soft presence across the globe, finds its children abroad as its best partner.

Besides possessing a global Indian identity, they are also amongst the top professionals occupying high positions in economic and professional echelons of their countries. With India's growth story and emergence of huge economic opportunities they are well poised to play an important role in facilitating trade and investment linkages between their adopted countries and India.

The Indian Diaspora serves as a catalyst between India and Indian Diaspora hosting countries increasing their cultural, economic and strategic ties. The role of diaspora in the bilateral relations of host and home countries plays out at both state and civil society levels. But the shaping of the policy to enable diaspora as a catalyst is done by parliamentarians and state functionaries. Their role is further complimented by people to people interactions in the socio-cultural and business area.

It is in this context that Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (ARSP) and PIOCCI organised an International Conference of PIO Parliamentarians in New Delhi on 10 th January, 2018. Over 130 Parliamentarians of Indian origin from different countries around the world attended the conference.