Jaipur, July 17 (IANS) The ‘Videsh Sampark – State Outreach Conference’, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Rajasthan government, focused on promoting safe and legal overseas migration while creating awareness about protection against fraudulent recruitment agents.

Held on Thursday at the Rajasthan International Centre, the conference brought together senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Rajasthan government departments at the state and district levels, Rajasthan Police, authorised recruitment agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Discussions centered on the theme, “Rajasthanis should go abroad safely and with proper training”.

The programme comprised an inaugural session, two thematic sessions, and a valedictory session, during which the key outcomes of the deliberations and the future roadmap were presented.

Addressing the inaugural session, State Chief Secretary V. Srinivas said that the Indian government has significantly strengthened its engagement with the Indian diaspora.

He noted that enthusiastic participation by overseas Indians during the Prime Minister’s foreign visits reflects this strong connect.

Recalling the Vande Bharat Mission during the Covid-19 pandemic, Srinivas said the initiative demonstrated the Indian government’s commitment to the welfare of Indians abroad.

He added that procedures for overseas employment and higher education have been streamlined, passport issuance has become more efficient, and police verification timelines have been significantly reduced.

The Rajasthan government, he said, also maintains regular engagement with the Rajasthani diaspora.

Sripriya Ranganathan, the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs), said the Indian government is committed to making overseas travel for employment and education simpler and safer.

She noted that the ‘Videsh Sampark’ initiative, launched in 2017, aims to create awareness about legal migration pathways and protect citizens from fraudulent recruitment agents through close collaboration with state governments.

She added that, in partnership with the Rajasthan government, awareness campaigns on safe migration will be expanded to rural areas, while accurate data on overseas migrants from the state will be compiled to further improve migration-related services.

Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Sharma said that Rajasthan Police is working in close coordination with all concerned departments to strengthen safe and transparent overseas migration mechanisms.

He assured that Rajasthanis facing difficulties abroad can approach the Rajasthan Police for assistance and support.

Chief Secretary Srinivas announced that Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas will be celebrated on December 10 with a grand event bringing together Rajasthanis living across India and abroad.

He said the event will serve as an important platform to strengthen ties between the global Rajasthani community and their native state while promoting opportunities in investment, innovation, culture, and development.

The conference was attended by Shikhar Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary of Department of NRI Affairs (DORA); Manisha Arora, Commissioner and Special Secretary; Suresh Kumar Ola, RIICO Managing Director; and Nilabh Saxena, Industries and Commerce Department Commissioner.

Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Rajasthan government, representatives of 20 authorised recruitment agencies, Additional District Magistrates from 16 districts, representatives from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and industry bodies, along with other stakeholders were also present.

Presidents and representatives of 40 Rajasthan Foundation chapters joined the conference virtually.

The Department of NRI Affairs (DORA) and the Rajasthan Foundation served as the nodal agencies for organising the event.

The first thematic session focused on diaspora engagement, welfare and protection, passport services, issues concerning Indian students studying abroad, and matters relating to the expatriate Rajasthani community.

Ankan Banerjee, Joint Secretary (Diaspora Engagement) at Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the Indian government’s initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement with the Indian diaspora.

Bhaskar A. Sawant, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), discussed challenges faced by overseas Rajasthanis, particularly matrimonial disputes and issues affecting students abroad.

Regional Passport Officer Vipul Dev outlined recent improvements in passport services, while Tarun Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs Under-Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa), presented the Indian government’s initiatives relating to diaspora welfare, consular assistance, citizenship verification, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

The second thematic session focused on safe and legal migration, skill development, overseas employment opportunities, investment promotion, and tourism.

Participants discussed measures to strengthen awareness, improve skill readiness for international employment, promote ethical recruitment practices, and enhance coordination among government agencies and stakeholders to facilitate safe overseas mobility for Rajasthanis.

–IANS

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