The Hindu : Emulate the Jews: Sinha

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

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Emulate the Jews: Sinha

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 9. The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, today called on People of Indian Origin (PIO) to emulate the "Jewish Diaspora" by bringing all their organisations under one roof to work towards a common goal.

Speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he stressed that the Indian diaspora needed to get better organised if it were to make a better impact on host communities. "I, therefore, appeal to all community leaders within the Indian diaspora to try and do their utmost to organise themselves under a single umbrella so that their collective voice can be effectively heard,'' Mr. Sinha said.

Maintaining that India was an "important player" in the world community, he said there was significant influence which New Delhi could bring to bear on issues and situations. However, "we should be attuned to the complexities of international relations. It needs to be kept in mind that often quiet diplomacy, backdoor intervention and collective efforts on the part of a group of countries bring better results that a sledgehammer approach. The days of war are over. The collective good of the silent majority should always be kept in mind. Pursuit of vested interests by individuals or groups should not lead to the safety and vital interests of entire communities being jeopardised.''

The circumstances of India and its diaspora had changed substantially over the last 55 years. "India is now a strong and powerful nation which has emerged on the world stage. In fact, the pace and intensity of diplomatic activity that India is engaged in is itself a good indicator of our status in the world. In the last six months, I have interacted with over 80 Foreign Ministers," he said.

He was categorical that India had shed whatever ambivalence it might have had towards its diaspora.

"It is worthwhile to note that India's economic reforms of the nineties as well as the remarkable role played by the Chinese diaspora in the economic transformation of China has contributed to changing the mindsets in India.''

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