Prime Minister proposals to establish a NRI university

New Delhi, Jan 05, 2007
Col. Har krishan
NRI press

Hailing the role played by the NRIs in the growth of the country of their origin, PM Singh said that the govt is seriously considering proposals to establish a university for Persons of Indian Origin.

Inaugurating the 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) in the capital, Dr Singh called for an intense interaction between overseas Indians and the people of India to inspire Indians at home to take a broader view of the world.

The three-day celebrations are being attended by nearly 1200 prominent PIOs from about 50 countries, including the US, Britain, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada and the Gulf states.

Reminding the impressive gathering that he had proposed to establish a university for PIOs at the last year's edition of the conclave, Dr Singh said the proposal had been under active consideration of the government.

''We envisage the proposed university as oriented to meeting the needs of the overseas Indian community in the most sought after disciplines, including Engineering and Management. Our aspiration would be to impart quality education at par with the best universities in the world.''

The challenge, he said, low was to create the requisite Enabling framework that would adequately meet these aspirations. ''We hope to do this in coming months,'' he said, exuding confidence

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed his gratitude to the Indian American community in the United States for the role played by them in the conclusion of the historic Indo-US deal for civil nuclear cooperation for meeting the country's growing energy needs.

''We are happy that the US has adopted a legislation that will enable the US to engage in cooperation with India in the field of civil nuclear energy. This an important step forward not just in India-US bilateral relations but also an essential first step that will enable India to engage in cooperation in the civil nuclear field with other countries that are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,'' he said, addressing the 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister said the process would increase the range of options available to secure the country's growing current and future energy needs. This initiative was, therefore, a vital input to the critical process of enlarging the nation's developmental process.

He said he was thankful to the overseas Indian community and its leaders who played a very significant role in highlighting the importance of this initiative in the US and elsewhere.

He also took the opportunity to thank the NRIs in West Asia and other parts for the handsome contribution their remittances make to the strengthening of the country's economy.

In his address, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said the growing influence of Indian Americans had been significant in determining American attitudes to India and more recently in articulating India's position on the civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

Enactment of US law on N-deal important step in ties: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said it was vital for enlarging India's developmental options and thanked the Indian-American community for playing a role in this endeavor.

Terming the enactment of law by the US on civil nuclear cooperation as an "important step" forward in bilateral ties.

Inaugurating the 5th 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' (PBD) -- a congregation of Indian diaspora –in New Delhi, he said the US action would enable that country to engage in civil nuclear cooperation with India as also other members of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

"We are happy that the United States has adopted a legislation that will enable the US to engage in cooperation with India in the field of civil nuclear energy," Singh said while referring to the month-old development.

The Henry J Hyde US-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act became law last month, ending the over 30-year nuclear isolation of India.

"This is an important step forward not just in India-US bilateral relations and also as an essential first step that will enable India to engage in cooperation in the civil nuclear field with other countries that are members of the NSG," he told the conference being attended by about 1200 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and NRIs.

The Prime Minister said the process involving India's intention to have civil nuclear cooperation with the world community will increase the range of options available to secure the country's growing current and future energy needs.

"This initiative is, therefore, a vital input to the critical process of enlarging our developmental options," Singh said.

He utilised the occasion to express gratitude to the Indian community in the US who lobbied hard with the Bush Administration and Congress for support for the cooperation.

"I would like to take this opportunity today to express a special word of thanks to the Indian-American community in the US," the Prime Minister told the gathering of about 1200 members of Indian diaspora, which included several countrymen living in the US.

He also thanked the Indian community and its leaders in other countries "who played a very significant role in highlighting the importance of this (civil nuclear) initiative".

The civil nuclear deal, initiated on 18th July 2005, was concluded on 2nd March last year during the visit of President George W Bush here.

US Congressional processes followed and overwhelming bipartisan support resulted in enactment of a law last month.

There are, however, concerns in India over certain elements in the US Act and New Delhi wants clarifications on these.

These aspects are to be addressed in a separate agreement, known as '123 agreement', which is being negotiated for operationalisation of the deal