Jaishankar calls Indian diaspora 'living bridge' at PBD 2027 launch
Synopsis
EAM Jaishankar launched the website for the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2027 Convention alongside West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, calling the Indian diaspora a 'living bridge' and tying their role directly to Modi's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The convention arrives in Kolkata in January — a city whose history is inseparable from the diaspora's founding journeys.
Key Takeaways
EAM S Jaishankar described the Indian diaspora as a 'living bridge' between India and the world at an event in New Delhi on 11 November 2026 .
The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal , from 7–9 January 2027 .
The convention's theme is 'From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat' .
The PBD 2027 website was jointly launched by Jaishankar and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari .
Jaishankar linked the diaspora's knowledge, enterprise, and networks to India's Viksit Bharat by 2047 goal.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, described the Indian diaspora as a 'living bridge' between India and the world, hailing its role in driving the global exchange of ideas, knowledge, innovation, culture, and enterprise. He was speaking at the launch of the official website for the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2027 Convention at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi.
Convention to Be Held in Kolkata in January
The 19th PBD Convention is scheduled to take place in Kolkata, West Bengal, from 7–9 January 2027, in partnership with the Government of West Bengal. The website was jointly launched by EAM Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was also present at the event.
Kolkata's selection as the host city carries symbolic weight. Jaishankar noted that the city holds a special place in the history of the Indian diaspora — it was from Bengal's shores that many Indians set sail for Mauritius, Fiji, and the Caribbean, carrying with them their languages, customs, and faith. 'Their journeys, often which were marked by sacrifice and hardship actually laid the foundations of a global Indian presence,' he said.
Theme: 'From Roots to Return'
The theme chosen for the 19th PBD Convention is 'From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat'. Jaishankar explained that the theme reflects an effort to deepen the connection of overseas Indians with their civilisational, cultural, and ancestral roots.
'It seeks to create meaningful opportunities for the younger generation of the diaspora to rediscover their heritage, understand contemporary India, and build a stronger and more enduring connection with the land of their ancestors,' he stated.
Diaspora as a Stakeholder in Viksit Bharat 2047
The minister underscored the diaspora's growing importance to India's long-term development trajectory. Linking their role to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Jaishankar said the knowledge, expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, technology capabilities, and global networks of the diaspora would directly contribute to India's growth.
'The Indian diaspora thereby serves as a living bridge between India and the world. It contributes to the global exchange of ideas, knowledge, innovation, culture, and enterprise. Now, the diaspora is not merely connected to India through its past; it is also an integral part of India's present and an important stakeholder of India's future,' he said.
What the Convention Aims to Achieve
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, held biennially, is the Government of India's flagship platform for engaging with the Indian diaspora worldwide. The 19th edition in Kolkata is expected to draw diaspora members from across the globe, with programming centred on cultural reconnection, investment opportunities, and policy dialogue. The launch of the convention website marks the formal commencement of outreach ahead of the January gathering.
As preparations for PBD 2027 gather pace, the focus will now shift to diaspora registrations and the finalisation of a speaker and delegate line-up befitting India's global community of over 3 crore overseas Indians.
Point of View
Not just a cultural exercise. The choice of Kolkata is historically resonant but also politically deliberate, with West Bengal's BJP-led government co-hosting a prestige event ahead of the state's electoral cycle. The real test will be whether PBD 2027 moves beyond ceremonial reconnection to generate measurable investment and technology-transfer commitments from the community it courts.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention?
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is the Government of India's flagship biennial convention for engaging with the Indian diaspora worldwide. It brings together overseas Indians for policy dialogue, cultural programming, and investment discussions.
Where and when will the 19th PBD Convention be held?
The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from 7 to 9 January 2027, in partnership with the Government of West Bengal.
What is the theme of PBD 2027?
The theme is 'From Roots to Return: Reigniting Diaspora Connect with Bharat'. It aims to deepen the connection of overseas Indians — particularly younger generations — with India's civilisational, cultural, and ancestral roots.
Why did Jaishankar call the diaspora a 'living bridge'?
EAM Jaishankar used the phrase to highlight the diaspora's dual role: as a conduit for the global exchange of ideas, innovation, culture, and enterprise, and as an active stakeholder in India's future growth under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Why was Kolkata chosen as the host city for PBD 2027?
Jaishankar noted that Kolkata holds special historical significance for the Indian diaspora, as it was a key departure point for Indians who emigrated to Mauritius, Fiji, and the Caribbean, forming the bedrock of a global Indian presence.
