Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: ASEAN India Economic Council signs agreement to bolster India's ties with 10 nations

The 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Sammelan (Convention) in Odisha brought major success for the country when the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) India Economic Council signed an agreement with the Indian Chamber of Commerce, aiming to strengthen economic and cultural ties with 10 countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with regard to the agreement was finalized in the presence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Details shared in the press conference stated that the move will bolster India's ties with as many as ten nations including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Additionally, it will also facilitate increased exports from India to these nations.

Rajib Sahoo, Chairman of ICC (Indian Chamber of Commerce) Odisha State Council, reiterated the importance of the MoU and stated that the agreement will focus on enhancing trade, commerce, and exchange programs between Indian and Southeast Asian nations.

“The MoU aims to streamline and further bolster cultural exchange between our nations while also improving the volume of trade. The agreement will ensure that all of us work towards the goal,” he added.

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Notably, the 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar marked the first time that Odisha hosted the prestigious event. Thousands of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) participated in the event and soaked in cultural extravaganza, as per the elaborate arrangements made by the state government.

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Dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi graced the occasion and addressed the Indian diaspora with a message of inclusivity while hailing their contributions towards the development of India.