Indian PM praises GOPIO's interest in Indian community

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sent a message to the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), praising the group for promoting the interests of the overseas Indian community.

"GOPIO has emerged as a leading organisation providing a unique platform to the vast Indian overseas community for promoting their interests and realising their aspirations," Singh said in a message on the 20th anniversary celebrations of GOPIO being held in New York from Aug 20 to 23.

Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday is among GOPIO guests attending the event, which includes a convention Friday on the theme: People of Indian Origin: Strengthening Global Connections.

The Indian leader said GOPIO has contributed significantly in the process of engagement between the government of India and the Indian diaspora.

"The bonds between the motherland and people of Indian origin across the globe are valuable and precious. It is my hope that through such events, they will continue to flourish," the prime minister said.

GOPIO International was founded at the Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989. It is now a global organisation engaged in promoting the interests of people of Indian origin (PIOs).

Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner will be the keynote speaker at Friday's conference.

Another full-day diaspora conference will be held on Saturday on the theme: The Indian Diaspora: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium. Another is titled: The Living Pioneers - Global Perspective of Indian Elders, which takes place Saturday morning.

A networking session titled The Next Generation will also be held Saturday afternoon.