By IANS
New Delhi : The Indian government has the right to play a role when Indian communities abroad are in trouble while at the same time respecting the sentiments of the host country’s government, according to former UN under-secretary general and author Shashi Tharoor.
“The government can do a lot of things (when Indians abroad are in trouble) but not necessarily in full public view. The sentiments of the host country’s government should be kept in mind while dealing with such situations,” Tharoor said at a press conference here Tuesday.
Tharoor’s comments came in the wake of the recent incidents in Malaysia where ethnic Indians, a minority group in that Southeast Asian nation, held protest marches amid allegations that they were being discriminated against by the government.
In Kenya too, ethnic Indians were affected in the post-election political violence involving Kenyan communities.
“Previously, the Indian government took the position that if Indians go abroad and become foreigners, they cease to be Indian citizens,” said Tharoor, who is here to attend the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conclave of the Indian diaspora.
“But the scenario changed dramatically in the last two decades. The Indian government looked to connect with the diaspora with the aim of utilising their experience and skills – so much so that a ministry (the ministry of overseas Indian affairs) has been set up,” he said.
Tharoor said if India gained from the remittances sent by overseas Indians, it was also the responsibility of the Indian government to look after the welfare of overseas Indians.
“Indians in India can no longer afford to be indifferent to Indians abroad,” he said.