Lok Sabha Question No. 2153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Welfare of Tamil Diaspora
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2153

ANSWERED ON - 01/08/2025

WELFARE OF TAMIL DIASPORA

2153. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to safeguard the interests and welfare of  the Tamil diaspora living in countries such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Middle East;

(b) whether the Ministry consults or coordinates with the Government of

Tamil   Nadu   on   matters   affecting   the   Tamil   diaspora   or   cultural exchanges abroad, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the initiatives taken to promote trade, investment and cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and foreign countries, particularly in sectors like textiles, IT and manufacturing;

(d) the measures adopted to address concerns related to the repatriation of Tamil workers facing distress abroad; and

(e)   whether   the   Government   plans   to   establish   a   dedicated   Tamil diaspora cell within the Ministry to better address the specific needs and issues of Tamils overseas?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) Safeguarding the interest and welfare of  Indian diaspora living overseas is a top priority for the Government of India. The Government has a robust policy framework to engage with the vast Indian diaspora spread   across   the   globe   and   protect   their   interests   and   welfare, irrespective of the Indian state that they hail from.

Government of India closely monitors developments affecting the Tamil diaspora,   particularly   in   regions   with   high   concentration   of   Tamil diaspora, such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and West Asia, and responds to their   welfare   concerns   through   Indian   Embassies   and   Consulates. Consular   assistance,   particularly   to   address   legal,   labour,   and immigration issues, is extended to affected persons on a priority basis. Indian   Embassies   and   Consulates   in   these   countries   also   closely coordinate with local authorities and the Tamil community associations to address the specific grievances of the Tamil diaspora.

(b) The Government of India coordinates with all State Governments of India on matters pertaining to its Diaspora engagement policies across the globe. It regularly conducts Videsh Sampark Programme (VSP) with the State Governments of  India and regularly engages with them to promote   Cooperative   Federalism.   Such   interactions   enable   the Government   of   India   to   consult   and   coordinate   with   the   State governments to promote safety and welfare of  the Indian diaspora. Requests received from State Governments, including that from Tamil Nadu, are examined and acted upon in coordination with the concerned Indian Embassies and Consulates abroad.

(c) During the interactions of the Government of India with the State Governments under the VSP, several trade and investment opportunities for   commercial   enterprises   from   the   State   in   foreign   lands   are presented. Moreover, Indian Embassies and Consulates abroad assist the State Governments, including that of Tamil Nadu, to organize special events to promote trade, investment and cultural ties between the Indian states and the respective foreign countries. This Ministry also supports visits   of   business   and   official   delegations   from   Indian   States,   B2B meetings in foreign countries, cultural events, and Investor Summits, particularly in focus sectors such as Textiles, IT, and Manufacturing.

(d) Government of India has established institutional mechanisms to assist Indians in distress in foreign countries. Indian Missions and Posts pro-actively help distressed/stranded Indians by providing food, shelter, medicine and evacuation to India, if necessary, irrespective of the State to which they belong. Operation Devi Shakti, Operation Ganga, Operation Kaveri, Operation Ajay and Operation Sindhu are some of the operations launched   during   recent   years   through   which   Government   of   India evacuated Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, Israel and Iran, respectively.

(e) While   this   Ministry   has   not   established   State/region   specific Diaspora  Cell,   matters   concerning   the   Indian   diaspora   are   promptly addressed through its concerned Divisions and Embassies/Consulates. This Ministry has also deployed dedicated and well-trained Community Welfare Officers in Indian Embassies and Consulates in countries with high concentration of Indian diaspora to handle issues concerning the diaspora while factoring in their linguistic and cultural sensitivities.

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