Singapore: Singapore to host an
international convention on South Asian Diaspora in July,
where topics related to geopolitics and socio-economic issues
will be discussed.
More than 500 delegates are expected to participate in
the government-supported convention to be held on July 21-23
this year. The theme of the convention is "Linking the South
Asian Diaspora".
Singapore President S R Nathan, Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister
Goh Chok Tong would be attending and addressing the three-day
convention.
High-level experts from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh would also be addressing the conference on various
aspects of South Asian region, especially on geopolitics and
socio-economic subjects, said Gopinath Pillai, Chairman of the
Institute of South Asian Studies of Singapore (ISAS).
Speakers from Japan, South Korea, China and the United
States would be presenting their views on the South Asian
region at the convention.
"We expect eminent members of the diaspora from the
United States, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia," said
Pillai.
The conference would also see the launch of a book on
South Asia, and end with a cricket match as well as
presentation on Bollywood, the two passions of South Asian
communities, he said.
The event would likely lead to the establishment of an
institute on the studies of South Asian Diaspora, Professor S
D Muni, visiting professor at ISAS said.
Singapore, already host to more than 400,000 Indian
origin and Indian expat communities, aims to enhance its
status as financial, commerce and trading hub for Asia, said
Pillai.
PTI
