The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Government of India in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the Institutional Partner is organizing the 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention (PBD 2011) from 7-9 January 2011 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi with a special focus on North Eastern States of India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conventions provide the largest platform to the PIOs and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for exchange of views and networking on matters of common interest. Among the decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at these Conventions are formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualizing of Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, formation of Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, setting up of the India Development Foundation, enabling professionals holding Overseas Citizens of India cards to practice in India in accordance with the provision of relevant acts, providing for voting rights to Non-Resident Indians and launching of The Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global-INK).

The theme for PBD 2011 is “Engaging the Global Indian” and the Convention will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 8 January 2011. Hon’ble President of India will deliver the valedictory address on 9 January 2011 and would confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards for 2011.The PBD sessions will include an opportunity to interact with Cabinet Ministers from India on matters of interest and concern to them; PIO Ministers/dignitaries from other countries on the expectations and aspirations of the overseas Indian community from the land of their ancestors and how they could work towards strengthening the relationship between India and the country of their residence; and Chief Ministers on issues of their States need to attend on priority and facilities and incentives available in their states for the overseas Indian community. Concurrent sessions would be held on Education, Health Services, Youth, and Information Communication & Entertainment. PBD-2011 will also see the continuation of an annual Lecture series under the overarching theme of "Engaging the Global Indian", this year’s memorial lecture would be on Prof. C K Prahalad.