Manmohan Asks Overseas Indians To Help Shape Modern India

BY P.VIJIAN JAIPUR (India), Jan 9 (Bernama) -- India, Asia's third largest economy, wants nearly 25-million strong overseas Indians to help propel its economy and even take bold step to amend laws to grant voting rights in national elections. Addressing the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an annual global Indian convention, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his government recognised overseas Indians' contribution to the nation. "The government of India and people of India recognise and value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. "We believe the Indian diaspora has much to contribute to the building of modern India," he said here Sunday. His call comes at a time when India's sizzling economic growth story, envied worldwide, is disturbed by stubborn domestic inflation, a weakening rupee and unstable global economy. Indian trade analysts are a little skeptical of fancy high-growth figures, enjoyed for decades that turned India into a rising world economic powerhouse, but is being put to test now. "Our country is also going through difficult times. Nonetheless, our economic fundamentals are strong and our constitutional process robust. "Despite an adverse international environment, India's economy is expected to grow by about seven per cent this financial year (until March 2012)," he added. `The annual three-day conclave, attended by prominent Indians including academics, entrepreneurs and political figures, is held in the "pink city" of Jaipur, in Rajashtan state, in north India. Some 200 Malaysian delegates are among the 1,900 international participants attending the conclave. -- BERNAMA