Motion on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' success moved in UK House

LONDON: A motion has been moved in Britain's House of Commons applauding the success of the recently concluded Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference that was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The Early Day motion on the event held here last month was moved by influential Indian-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz.

The motion, on which there will be no discussion or vote, said: "That this House applauds the success of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference on 17-18 October 2014, which discussed the role of the Indian diaspora in Europe."

The resolution, "notes that the Indian diaspora is the largest ethnic minority group in the UK making up 2.5 per cent of the population; further notes that despite this it contributes over 6 per cent of the UK's GDP."

The resolution also calls for further recognition of the contribution that the Indian diaspora makes to the UK economy and culture.

It congratulates the Indian High Commissioner to London Ranjan Mathai on the success of this "important initiative".

London's first-ever Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (RPBD) was inaugurated by Swaraj last month.