Dr S Jaishankar connects with UK diaspora at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Speaking with the UK Diaspora members at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, Indian Minister Dr S Jaishankar highlighted the Government of India's vision in handling the challenges of migration and mobility.
"Today, where there is a demand for skills and talent, it is not necessarily where there is the availability of resources. So the demographic mismatch of demand and talent is a big challenge, and it is a challenge which will grow with time. Because, by definition, the more developed societies are, the birth rate also drops. So automatically, there is a certain shortage, which is inbuilt. So what we have tried to do, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government - we have tried to conclude what we call migration and mobility partnership agreements," he said.
The minister explained his reason for bringing this topic up with the diaspora, as he sought their participation in making the vision successful.
"Now, why am I referring to this now? Because what we do not want is a market situation that is not addressed comfortably, legally and sustainably. If this situation is addressed through illegal migration, there is a double problem. The people who are taken are not treated fairly. In the system where people receive that, they also resent it. You also do not necessarily get the right talent," he explained.
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"For you people, it is not something which will do your reputation and standing good. So all of us today have a collective interest in making sure that as part of the global economy, working better. And where there are human resources with the right qualifications and talents, they are channelized legally into the places of high demand," he added.
Speaking to the British Indian diaspora, Dr Jaishankar also addressed several issues concerning them.
"There were a few things in our minds like the OCI cards, dual citizenship, Free Trade Agreements and several others, which we got a chance to raise with Dr Jaishankar ji. It was a great meeting, exclusively with the British Indian diaspora, where he responded to each of us in one-to-one conversations," informed Hirdesh Gupta, a community member.
The diaspora also discussed with the minister the possibility of incorporating Ayurvedic therapy and treatments under the NHS, which they thought would ease the financial pressure on the NHS effectively while introducing age-old Indian remedies to the world.
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Earlier, addressing the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, Dr Jaishankar said that the event is an important tradition that deepens India's ties with the Indian diaspora.
"Pravasi Bharatiya Divas aims to refresh bondings, boost energy and add more phases to it. I believe under PM Modi's leadership, India will surely emerge as a leading power. Along with that, the global standing of those with India will also grow.
"This convention is an important tradition that deepens our ties with the Indian community. PPD has three objectives: to refresh our relations, to give new energy, and to bring more aspects in them," he said.
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The three-day-long 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being held under the theme "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal" and will conclude today.