The Nineteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conference will be held from January 7 to 9, 2027, in Kolkata, West Bengal. This ceremony is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Government of West Bengal, aiming to gather members of the Indian diaspora, young leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators, and other stakeholders from around the world.
Conference Details
The inaugural ceremony of this conference will be attended by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, and during this event, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards and preside over the closing session. One of the special segments of this event is the PBD Youth section, which provides an opportunity for young members of the Indian diaspora to participate in discussions and interactions with India.
History and Importance of PBD
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated annually on January 9 to honor the contributions of the Indian community abroad to the development of India. This date marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nineteenth edition of this conference builds on the successes of previous editions and seeks to strengthen the deep connections of the Indian diaspora with India and celebrate their contributions in India and around the world.
More details about the conference, including registration and programs, will be announced soon. Additionally, the local Indian embassy or consulate can be contacted for any urgent inquiries.
Since 2003, PBD has been celebrated to recognize the contributions of the Indian community abroad to the development of India, and since 2015, its format has changed. This conference is held every two years, and thematic conferences are organized in the periods between these conferences with the participation of diaspora experts and policymakers.
The conferences provide an opportunity for the Indian community abroad to collaborate with the government and people of India in mutually beneficial activities. These conferences also facilitate networking among the Indian community abroad in various parts of the world and allow them to share their experiences in different fields.
The upcoming conference in Kolkata will take place following the Eighteenth PBD conference, which was held from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The theme of the Eighteenth conference was "Diaspora Partnership in a Developed Bharat." Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Eighteenth PBD conference on January 9, 2025, and Christian Kangaloo, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, was the special guest of this conference and spoke virtually.
With the Nineteenth edition being held in Kolkata, the Ministry of External Affairs of India has announced that this conference will bring together various members of the global Indian diaspora and provide more opportunities for interaction, professional exchange, and strengthening ties with India.
Read more: Arrest of an Individual on Theft Charges in Oman · Nationwide Bank Strike in India and Its Impact on Expatriates in Oman
