Diaspora representatives raise concerns over passports, NRI property disputes and emergency assistance during MEA Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan’s US outreach
Indian-American community leaders have urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to improve consular services and strengthen the participation of overseas Indians in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), during a meeting with MEA Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan in New York.
Ranganathan, Secretary for Consular, Passport and Overseas Indian Affairs, is undertaking an outreach programme covering New York, Texas, San Francisco and Seattle to hear concerns from the Indian diaspora and gather suggestions for the forthcoming PBD. Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, also attended the meeting.
Jaipur Foot USA chairman Prem Bhandari, Federation of Indian Associations chairman Ankur Vaidya, BRUHUD New York Seniors president Ajay Patel and FIA trustee Alok Kumar were among those who raised issues affecting Indians living in the United States.
Bhandari called for simpler and more consistent passport renewal procedures, improved VFS and consular services and stronger action against unauthorised agents and middlemen. He also highlighted cases involving alleged illegal occupation of NRI-owned properties and land in India.
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Among the suggestions were fast-track mechanisms for NRI property disputes, greater use of video conferencing in legal and administrative proceedings and a national-level coordination mechanism to assist overseas Indians
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Participants also sought stronger emergency consular support for Indians facing difficulties abroad
Vaidya, who has attended 16 of the 18 PBD conventions, offered suggestions on making the flagship diaspora event more representative and useful for overseas Indians.
The discussions also covered the role of community organisations in maintaining links with India through culture, education, business, technology and humanitarian work. Recent initiatives such as e-OCI, chip-enabled passports and Fast Track Immigration were cited as steps towards more technology-driven services.
The engagement comes amid wider consultations between Indian diaspora organisations and the MEA on improving services and strengthening India’s relationship with its overseas community.
