High Commission of India
Nairobi

Press Release

Conference - Kenyan-Indians’ contribution to the development of Kenya

1. High Commission of India, Nairobi, is organizing a weeklong celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ commemorating 75 years of India’s independence. As part of the celebrations, a Diaspora Conference – ‘Kenyan-Indians’ contribution to the development of Kenya’ is scheduled on 13 June 2023 at Movenpick Hotel, Nairobi. The conference is being co-organized with United Asian Network (UAN), Kenya.

2. The Conference aims to incubate conversations and dialogue to support a nuanced and detailed understanding about the role of the Indian-origin Kenyans from perspective of history, including its freedom struggle, and economic development of Kenya, its place in the East African region as well as the Indian origin Kenyans' role in linking of India and Kenya and their contributions to the bilateral relations. The Conference will examine this contribution from multiple perspectives.

3. The conference programme is lined up with the participation of over 200 high-level dignitaries from the diaspora, academia, think tanks, business, media as well as from the host government. It will include a plenary session and two-panel discussions diving deep into the contribution of Indian-origin Kenyans’ contribution in the history and development of Kenya, including in the economic aspect. The panel discussions are titled: (i) Exploring Asian-Indian Identity in Kenya through History and (ii) Contributing to the Economic transformation of Kenya.  The panelists will include prominent diaspora members, academia, and businesspersons.

4. Publications by various authors highlighting the connect between India and Kenya through history will also be displayed at the Conference venue.

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