Election Commission will decide whether or not overseas Indians can vote, according to Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan on Monday.
Muraleedharan is on a visit to Singapore for two days.
Muraleedharan agreed that Indians living abroad should be permitted to take part in the election process in response to a query at a meeting with the diaspora here.
“It is ultimately to be decided by the Election Commission,” he added.
He stated, “We ought to allow them the opportunity to work out the logistical part of the process and come out with a solution.”
He took note of the desire of Indian nationals working abroad to vote and be a part of India’s success story.
The minister mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views the 34 million people of Indian descent who live and work throughout the world as bridges connecting other nations to India.
Muraleedharan also reaffirmed India’s position on the situation in Ukraine and Russia during the meeting with the diaspora.
In response to a question on India’s involvement in the war, he stated, “Right from the beginning when the conflict broke out between Ukraine and Russia, we have held the view that it has to be resolved through diplomatic ways, dialogue, and they have to engage each other.”
Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded Russian President Vladimir Putin last year that “today’s era is not of war,” India has not officially criticised Russia for its military intervention in Ukraine.
Global leaders praised Modi’s public comments made during a meeting with Putin in Samarkand last year, and they were even mentioned in the G-20 declaration in Indonesia.
He met with Dr. Mohamad Maliki Osman, Singapore’s second foreign minister, earlier in the day to address bilateral concerns.
According to Murleedharan, “We discussed bilateral issues, green energy, startups, and fintech among others as part of the bilateral talks.”
He added that the subject of talented and skilled Indian labour as well as their potential future contribution to Singapore’s development was also covered.
The two ministers also talked about how to increase investment and trade between their countries.
