Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), dedicated to the multitude of Indian Nationals settled abroad was established in May 2004 as the Ministry of Non-Resident Indians’ Affairs, it was renamed as the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in September 2004. Driven by a mission of development through coalitions in a world without borders, MOIA seeks to connect the Indian Diaspora community with its motherland.

Positioned as a Services’ Ministry, it provided information, partnerships and facilitations for all matters related to Overseas Indians (comprising Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non- Resident Indians (NRIs). Besides dealing with all matters relating to Overseas Indians, the Ministry was engaged in several initiatives with them for the promotion of trade and investment, emigration, education, culture, health and science & technology.

In 2016, this ministry was merged with Ministry of External Affairs because majority of its activities were done through MEA only. It was felt that a separate ministry was not needed and the same can be done by a division under MEA. Hence, currently division of Overseas Indian Affairs exists performing the functions done by erstwhile ministry.