By Mir Mohsin Ali

RIYADH — Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj lauded the non-resident Indians for their exemplary and professional attitude by becoming individual ambassadors of India in their place of work and said they have done India proud.

“India is a great country and you all NRIs make it more great by working and living with honesty, hard work and patience in foreign land,” she said while addressing the Indian community at the Indian International School Riyadh (IISR) auditorium on Tuesday night.

She highlighted that the relations between India and Saudi Arabia, which are historical and time tested, are very close and growing with the cultural bonds taking a new fillip in the strengthening ties. “This is why we are invited as a guest country at Janadriya Festival as a guest of honor country this year,” she added.

Swaraj mesmerized the audience with her magnificent and free-flowing oratory, while addressing enthusiastic Indian community members at a reception here. The minister also spoke in length the growing relations between the two countries, India and Saudi Arabia and she also informed all the Indian Diaspora that she personally monitors issues of NRIs through her Twitter handle and ensures that missions respond to them on real time basis.

At the end of her speech, she urged all the NRIs to visit the forthcoming Janadariya festival to see a glimpse of a modern and rapidly growing India along with the boosting of the cultural ties with Saudi Arabia.

She said that Indian Embassies are the homes of all the NRI’s living abroad. She praised former Commissioner of Mumbai police and the present Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed and his team at the Indian missions in the Kingdom for responding to the Indian community promptly and solving the problems and issues of Indians in Saudi Arabia.

Swaraj met with the Indian Diaspora and the community, in return, were super excited to meet the Indian external affair minister, who took time out to address the community.

Swaraj arrived here Tuesday afternoon at the Royal Terminal where the Protocol officer received her. He was accompanied with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India, Indian Ambassador Ahmed Javed DCM, Suhel Aijaz, Col. Maneesh Nagpal, SM, defense attaché, First Secretary Dr. Hifzur Rahman Azmi.

She is on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will attend the inauguration of the Janadriya Festival of Saudi Arabia. She said that the over 3 millions Indians living in Saudi Arabia have won over the hearts of the Kingdom nationals with their commitment and hard work. She invited all Indians to visit Janadriya festival in droves.

Swaraj revealed that Indians are known for three things in every country — they are good neighbors, dedicated worker and law-abiding citizen — and the residents in the Kingdom have sustained that reputation. She praised Ambassador Javed for serving the Indians with forward-looking solutions.

During the visit Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and enhance close bilateral relation between the two countries.

Ambassador Javed welcomed the large number of Indian Community across the Kingdom. On this occasion Consulate General and Embassy Staff, many Indians from various regions attended the event.

PBD awardees Shihab Kottukad and Zeenat Jafri presented the flower bouquets to Swaraj. Anil Nautiyal, consul, introduced Swaraj and conduct the proceedings.

After the community function Swaraj visited India House where Ambassador Javed hosted a dinner in her honor. Many dignitaries attended including Indian businessman Yusuff Ali M.A, T.Srinivasan, EVP head, Riyadh Metro Project, Larsen and Turbo, Nouf M.Al-Marwaai, president Arab Yoga Foundation, Saudi Arabia. Earlier Ambassador of India introduced all the Embassy and Consulate staff to Swaraj.