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Suvendu Adhikari, Jaishankar launch PBD 2027 official website. (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday highlighted the significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) as he joined External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi for the launch of the official website of the 19th edition of the convention. The event will be hosted in Kolkata in January 2027.
The event marks an important opportunity for West Bengal to strengthen its engagement with the Indian diaspora and showcase its cultural heritage across the world. The event will be organised in collaboration with the West Bengal government from January 7 to 9, 2027.
Speaking at the website launch event, CM Adhikari described Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a flagship programme of the Government of India dedicated to recognising the achievements and contributions of Indians living abroad.
"About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. PBD is a flagship initiative of the Government of India dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Indian diaspora across the world. Observed since 2003, on or around 9th January, it commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9th January 1915—a symbol of the enduring spirit of service, commitment, and connection to the motherland," he said.
Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari says, "About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. PBD is a flagship initiative of the Government of India dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Indian diaspora across the world. Observed since 2003, on or around 9th January, it commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9th January 1915—a symbol of the enduring spirit of service, commitment, and connection to the motherland. Since 2015, the convention has been held in partnership with a state government, providing a platform for dialogue between the Government of India and overseas Indians. 18 conventions have been held so far. The most recent was in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in January 2025..."
— IANS (@ians_india) November 11, 2026
The event is observed around January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915. It provides a platform to recognise the contributions of overseas Indians to their adopted countries as well as their continuing links with India.
Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar confirmed that the 2027 convention would take place in Kolkata from January 7 to 9 in collaboration with the West Bengal government.
"You all know that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for 2027 is being organized in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal in Kolkata from the 7th to the 9th of January next year," he said.
The External Affairs Minister also spoke about the journey of the Indian diaspora, highlighting its contributions across different fields, including business, education, innovation and community leadership.
"The journey of the Indian diaspora is really a remarkable story of heritage, of enterprise, of resilience, and of achievement. From the early generation of Indians who traveled across continents in search of opportunities to the present generation of entrepreneurs, academics, professionals, innovators, and community leaders, this diaspora has made an invaluable contribution to the societies and countries they call home while maintaining their enduring connection with Bharat," he added.
Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launch the official website of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention https://t.co/GIb07SUbXp
— IANS (@ians_india) November 11, 2026
EAM also outlined the broader objective behind the convention's theme, emphasising the need to strengthen the connection between younger members of the diaspora and their Indian heritage.
"The theme reflects our endeavor to deepen the connection of overseas Indians with their civilizational, cultural, and ancestral roots. It seeks to create meaningful opportunities for the younger generation of the diaspora to rediscover their heritage, understand contemporary India, and build a stronger and more enduring connection with the land of their ancestors."
Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar says, "The theme reflects our endeavor to deepen the connection of overseas Indians with their civilizational, cultural, and ancestral roots. It seeks to create meaningful opportunities for the younger generation of the diaspora to rediscover their heritage, understand contemporary India, and build a stronger and more enduring connection with the land of their ancestors. As India moves forward towards the vision which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid out of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the role of our diaspora will be increasingly important. Their knowledge, expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and technology capabilities, as well as their global networks, will all contribute to India's growth and to India's development..."
— IANS (@ians_india) November 11, 2026
He stressed the importance of the diaspora in India's long-term development goals, particularly the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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"As India moves forward towards the vision which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid out of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the role of our diaspora will be increasingly important. Their knowledge, expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and technology capabilities, as well as their global networks, will all contribute to India's growth and to India's development..."
The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will bring together members of the Indian diaspora, government representatives, and other stakeholders in Kolkata for discussions and engagement from January 7 to 9, 2027.
