The Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (RPBD), a convention of Indian diaspora, kicked off with a colourful cultural show in the city that is home to nearly five lakh Indians, but was not unaffected by the terror attacks in Paris.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was to inaugurate the convention, returned to Delhi midway to review the situation following the Paris terror. New Delhi has subsequently dispatched Minister of State for External Affairs Gen V K Singh who is scheduled to address the gathering on Sunday.
Nearly 1000 Indian Americans are participating in the convention that aims to harness the political influence and financial might of the community to strengthen India-US bilateral relations and attract investments to India. The diaspora has become a crucial component in India’s diplomatic outreach in many parts of the world. The Los Angeles RPBD’s theme is, ‘The Indian Diaspora: Defining a New Paradigm in India-US Relationship.’
Speaking at the event, California Congressman Brad Sherman — also a former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Terrorism — pointed out that the Paris terror attack was based on the Mumbai model. “Today we should take a moment to reflect the attacks in Paris, New York, Iraq and Mumbai. The Paris attack is based on model of the Mumbai terrorist attack… Attack on Mumbai was supported by LeT, Pakistan Army and its intelligence agency. The planning for this took several years,” he said.
Indian Ambassador to US Arun K Singh pointed out that early immigrants from India had found California a friendly place and remained in touch with India, and were even involved in the freedom struggle. He said current day cutting edge research in technology, mostly based in California, has enabled connectivity much easier. “There is increasing desire among the diaspora to connect with India. There is also a consciousness about growing opportunities in India. As India is rising, there is growing desire among diaspora to engage with India,” he said.
Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) of the Confederation of Indian Industry is organising an Indian Diaspora Business Meet as part of the RPBD.
