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South Asian Diaspora Build Bridges and Spell Economic Benefits for Singapore and the Region

Singapore hosted the first South Asian Diaspora Convention at the Resort World in Sentosa Island on 21st - 22nd July 2011 which was inaugurated by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. President of Republic of Singapore S R Nathan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong graced the gala dinner while the Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was invited for a dialogue with plenary speakers made up of notable and distinguished multi-industry leaders from the finance and banking, bio sciences, consumer, ICT, media and other industry sectors.

Global MBA participants of S P Jain Center of Management were among the delegates who attended the two-day conference, and engaged in discussions on topics related to geo-politics and socio-economic issues of the region.

Opening address by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
In his opening address, the Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong said the South Asian Diaspora made up 50 million members globally from a diverse group from India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Burma, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Many South Asians have done exceedingly well in their adopted homes, for example L N Mittal, who subsequently build bridges between their adopted and original homelands and are an important source of remittances. PM Lee said that Singapore can be a springboard for Asia and the world because of its geographic location, diverse population and diplomatic relations with all the countries.

Dialogue with Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
During his dialogue with the delegates at the Diaspora convention, the architect of Singapore and Former Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew touched and offered insights on the two economic giants China and India. Though there were tensions in the relationships between the two nations, the senior Mr Lee said he would “not see the two countries [India and China] as adversaries of each other”. As for relationships between India and Pakistan, he drew attention to “the deep-seated suspicions” between India and Pakistan and their “ever-lingering fear that there could be another war”.

Mr Lee said, “When they [the Indians and Pakistanis] are out of their local animosities and when they are a minority in the Western countries, say in America or Europe, then their animosities disappear. But they are a minority and that's why they tend to glue together”

Delegates at the convention had the opportunity to tap Mr Lee's views on the importance of governance and meritocracy for the success of a country. One common question raised during the dialogue was how Mr Lee would have governed India, if the country was handed to him.

Mr Lee replied: "First, what sort of Indian would I be: a Northern Indian, a Southern Indian? That identifies you with the interest of a particular group or a Bombay Indian, which is the most cosmopolitan of all. But it may well be that a Bombay Indian doesn't represent Indians at all. So it's a problem India has to face.”

He added, "It is important whoever leads India should find acceptance with the widest group of Indians possible. But I think it is very difficult for any Indian leader to find more than 40 per cent of Indians believing he represents them."

Mr Lee noted that Indians speak nearly 300 different languages, but in China, 90 per cent of the people speak the same language and that makes it a much easier country to lead than India.

Talking about growing numbers of foreign talents in Singapore, Mr Lee said Singapore would not be able to punch above its own weight if it were to depend on talent from its own population. "It's because we have been drawing talent from across the globe - South Asia, Northeast Asia, China, India and beyond that - you have a vibrant economy which is way beyond what three million Singaporeans with the talent they can produce can do”, said Mr Lee.

Multi-industry Plenary Sessions on Initiatives and Progress in Developing Asian Markets
The convention brought together speakers, entrepreneurs and members of the South Asian descent from across the region for a series of stimulating plenary discussions. The eminent speakers covered a wide range of industries, progress on initiatives and policies; they offered current perspectives on political-economy as well as how the Diaspora has shed additional different dimensions through the roles they played in their societies. Former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung Soo also addressed the occasion. The presentations shed light on the progress on initiatives, new development and the opportunities for growth through innovations across the region.

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