Varanasi, January 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressing at 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention in Varanasi said that government is taking several steps to help overseas Indian and soon chip-based e-passports will be introduced. "Ab toh Kabam badthey hue chip based e-passport jari karne ki disha mai kaam chal raha hai (Now, we are working to introduce chip based e-passport)." Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019: History, Significance And All About 15th PBD Convention in Varanasi.

"Our embassies and consulates are being connected to the Passport Seva Project worldwide. This will prepare a centralized system connected to the passport service for all of you. Going one step ahead, work is on for issuing of the chip-based e-passport," PM Modi said addressing the inaugural ceremony, reported IANS. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 Convention Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

"In the last four-and-a-half years, more than two lakh Indians stranded in crisis situations abroad have been helped by the government and its efforts," he said. PM Modi also added that work is on for simplifying the process of issuing visas to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO).

The theme of this years Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was invited as a chief guest at PBD convention. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament of New Zealand was the Guest of Honour while Himanshu Gulati, Member of Parliament of Norway was the Special Guest at this edition of PBD.

Meanwhile, India ranked 79th position this year in the list of world's most powerful passport in 2019. According to the Henley Passport Index, India jumped two positions from 81st position in 2018 to 79th position in a year. Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan ranked further low at 94, 102 and 104 respectively. The global list was topped by Japan for the second year in a row.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2019 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).