PM Modi lauds MEA, Sushma Swaraj for 'helping Indians in distress across the globe'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while lauding the proactive approach of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as he addressed the Indian Diaspora in the United States, asserted that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has emerged as a strong humanitarian force for Indians globally.

"It is for everyone to see how the MEA has, in addition to its routine work, emerged as a strong humanitarian force for Indians globally. The Indian Government has been successful in bringing more than 80,000 people, who have been in any kind of distress, from across the world to their respective homes," Prime Minister Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the role of the social media in bringing a change in the functioning of the MEA.

Referring to the recent incident when Swaraj helped Indian national Uzma come back to her home from Pakistan where she was forcefully married off, Prime Minister Modi said, "The way Sushma Swaraj has worked and helped every Indian abroad is commendable. It is now well known that when anyone in trouble tweets to Sushma, she promptly replies and the Government takes a prompt action."

"The Indian diaspora now has faith in the Indian Embassies that their issues will be resolved," he added.

Prime Minister Modi also urged the Indian diaspora to further strengthen their association and bond with India and said, "Keep the bridge with India. Your younger generations must continue your strong bond with India."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met and interacted with 20 top American CEOs at a roundtable meeting in Washington D.C., where economy and the Good and Services Tax (GST) reforms were majorly discussed.

Prime Minister Modi will next meet United States President Donald Trump and would be the first world leader to have a working dinner with the latter at the White House.