Parliament Question: Diaspora engagement in skill and technology transfer

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 80 ANSWERED ON - 29/01/2026 DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER 80. Shri Rajinder Gupta Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government is taking measures to encourage Indian diaspora involvement in skill and technology transfer for national development; (b) if so, the details thereof in terms of key areas of engagement and current collaborative projects; (c) the details of progress made in this respect, so far; (d) the main barriers to participation or institutionalization in this respect; and (e) the further measures proposed to be taken in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (e) Yes, Sir, Government of India is taking comprehensive measures and several initiatives to encourage the Indian diaspora to contribute to national development through skill and technology transfer. This is a vital aspect of the Diaspora Engagement policy framework of the Government of India, which is based on 4 Cs: Care for our communities, Connect with global networks, Celebrate our shared heritage, and Encourage Contributions that drive positive change. Government of India organizes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) biennially during which the Indian diaspora community is invited to participate in several thematic sessions. The PBD also acts as a platform for Government of India to showcase available investment opportunities as also avenues for contributions to skill development and technology transfer to India. The last (18th) PBD in January 2025 that was organized jointly with the State Government of Odisha on the theme “Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat” witnessed participation from across the globe and had discussions on areas pertaining to skill development and knowledge transfer. During the PBD Conventions, eminent Indian diaspora members are conferred with the prestigious ‘Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards’ (PBSA). This is the highest honour conferred by the Government of India to recognize the achievements of the Indian diaspora, including those in the business and scientific fields. This also encourages diaspora members to further contribute to India’s development initiatives and foster mutual economic partnerships, including through skill development and technology transfer. 1The Government also seeks to intensify engagement of the youth Indian diaspora professionals with contemporary India through its Know India Programme (KIP) thereby exposing them to India’s economic prowess and encouraging them to leverage their professional skills and capacities to advance this objective. Further, Government of India encourages Indian diaspora to invest in India by facilitating ease of doing business in India, promoting flexibilities in FDIs and by fostering ease of travel through the OCI Card. OCI Cards holders enjoy benefits of lifelong visas, ownership rights to properties in India and are thus motivated to invest in India and contribute to skill development and technology transfer. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also remain connected with the Indian diaspora and urge them to contribute to India’s march towards “Viksit Bharat”. The Global Pravasi Rishta Portal is being developed as a global registry of diaspora skills to allow geo-mapping of expertise and facilitate targeted collaboration with national initiatives such as the National Skill Development Corporation, Startup India, and Invest India. Progress is mainly reflected through joint ventures in startups etc as the Indian diaspora community engages directly with Indian companies as economic partners and contributes to skill development and technology transfers. There is no policy barrier for skill development and technology transfer by the Indian diaspora to private entities in India, and outcomes are decided on commercial considerations. ***** 2