First Conference of Indian Diaspora Associations held
in Berlin and Indian Professional Forum launched.

The first Conference of Indian Diaspora Associations in Germany was held at the Embassy of India, Berlin on 19 March, 2016. Nearly 200 representatives of various associations from all over Germany enthusiastically participated in this initiative by the Embassy.
On this occasion, the entire team of the Embassy and Consulates led by Ambassador Gurjit Singh started a new engagement with these associations in an institutionalized manner. They were praised for the roles that they have played in becoming important parts of German society and economy and for playing the role of a bridge between India and Germany. Ambassador said that this needed to be elaborated and extended. He also used the occasion to brief them on the Government of India initiatives like MII, Digital India, Smart Cities, Skills Development, Clean Ganga Programme, International Day of Yoga, Promotion of Modern Indian Languages in Germany and asked them to contribute in a more fulsome manner by catalyzing their German friends. The Make in India Mittlestand Programme of the Embassy, the role of The Tagore Centre to promote cultural linkages and the greater use of social media and cinema to enhance our engagement and our participation, were emphasized. The activities being planned for International Day of Yoga were also discussed during the interaction.

Ambassador Gurjit Singh elaborated on the efforts made by the Government of India, Embassy and Consulates in Germany to provide better services for visa, passports and the conversion of OCI cards indicating that the Embassy officials were available at any time to Indian diaspora for interaction on consular and other matters. He welcomed closer engagement and thanked them for the enthusiastic response of diaspora. In the last two months Ambassador Singh has met many Indian diaspora associations in different parts of Germany.

The main highlight of the event was the launch of the Indian Professional Forum (IPF). The objective of the IPF is to leverage the presence of highly talented Indian professionals in promotion of National Programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Start-Up India, Smart City Mission, etc. in Germany. In addition, the IPF aims to create a network of Indian professionals to mobilize German companies to invest in India and to further improve the image of India in Germany. The platform will enable for regular outreach efforts and brain storming sessions on thematic issues of interest to the Indian professionals and will also act as a forum to discuss issues / matters of concern to the Indian professionals to be taken up with German or Indian authorities from time to time.

With the launch of the IPF, the Embassy of India in Germany and its Consulates now have four different fora to engage with the diaspora which include, the Forum of Indian Students in Germany and the Indian Students Connect Programme; the India Business Forum; the India Professionals Forum and the Conference of Indian Diaspora Associations. The diaspora welcomed the initiative of the Embassy in this regard.

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Figure 1: Ambassador Gurjit Singh addressing the gathering.

Figure 2: Members of the audience engaging in an interactive session with the Ambassador

Figure 3: Members of the Indian diaspora associations