India hosts first ever parliamentary conference of People of Indian Origin (PIO)

India has hosted the first ever parliamentary conference of the People of Indian Origin at the Pravasiay Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 9.

The event witnessed participation of about 143 parliamentarians from 24 countries, including four from New Zealand, thus prompting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say “it appears as if a mini world-parliament of Indian origin is gathered in Delhi today.”

Three Kiwi-Indian MPs viz. National Party’s Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, and Labour Party’s Priyanca Radhakrishnan along with Mayor of Kapiti Coast, K. Gurunathan are participating in the conference.  

Addressing the daylong conference, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the recent strides made by India in transformational reforms and overall development.

"The global impression about India has changed over the last three to four years.

“The reason for this is that India is transforming itself. The hopes and aspirations of India are at an all-time high. Signs of irreversible change are visible in every sector,” Mr Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi also praised the contribution of Indian origin lawmakers in their respective host countries (countries of residence).

“[you are]... influencing the geopolitics of where you live and how you are making policies,” Mr Modi said.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while speaking at the valedictory session of the conference provided the rationale behind Mr Modi’s appreciation of Indian origin lawmakers influencing geopolitics in their host nations.

“The current government has one mission to re-make India into a great nation and the mission in which every Indian and equally every overseas Indian arrive at equal fate,” Ms Swaraj said.

Ms Swaraj also expressed confidence that this parliamentary conference would be opening new vistas of cooperation and connect between India and its global diaspora.

"I am confident that this historic conference will help open new vistas for regular dialogues and exchange of visits and views of PIO parliamentarians," Ms Swaraj added further.