India and ASEAN are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership, which will culminate in the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Delhi around India’s Republic Day in January 2018.

2.    As part of the commemoration of 25 years of strategic partnership, and in the run up to the Summit, Government of India is organising an India-ASEAN Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Overseas Indian Day) Convention (PBD) in Singapore on 6-7 January 2018 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Singapore.

3.    Government of India attaches great importance to the event in view of civilizational links between India and Southeast Asia and the emergence of a large and vibrant Indian diaspora in the region, which is an important bridge between India and Southeast Asian countries.

4.    The theme of the PBD Convention in January 2018 is “Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic India-ASEAN Partnership”.

5.    The two-day event aims to deepen diaspora’s relations with India and promote closer ties between India and ASEAN. It will cover a broad range of subjects, including India-ASEAN relations, business, innovation, culture, education, youth, history, diaspora in ASEAN countries, economic and cultural links with key states in India, etc.  There will be competitions for the youth, cultural show, cinema, yoga, literature and a gala dinner. We will focus on showcasing Indian talent in the region in diverse fields.

6.    The External Affairs Minister of India, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers; officials from key ministries in New Delhi; business leaders and chambers of commerce are expected to participate in the event.  We also hope to have the privilege of participation by prominent leaders and eminent persons of Indian origin in the region.

7.    The Indian Community in Malaysia is not only the largest Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia, it has also been the source of one of the largest and most proactive groups of participants at PBDs in India. The Indian community has taken the lead in every one of our PBD events over the years and ensured their success by its robust participation.

8.    We would like to take this opportunity to invite Malaysian Indian Community to actively participate in the PBD in Singapore on 6-7 January 2018.

10.    To register, members may go to the website www.pbdsingapore2018.org.  The website has other information relating to accommodation and transportation. Please note that the registration fee is SGD 150 till November 10 and SGD 175 thereafter (for students it is SGD 50).  The package includes full access to all events on both days, lunches, gala dinner, cultural events, networking occasions and a conference kit.

11.    For further clarifications, please contact the High Commission of India, Singapore, at pbd2018@hcisingapore.org