Community welcomes Indian Embassy’s new Minister for Community Affairs

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Fairfax, Virginia: The National Council of Asian Indian Associations (NCAIA), in collaboration with community organizations in the Washington DC Metropolitan area hosted a welcome reception for the newly appointed Minister (Community & Personnel), Embassy of India, Jag Mohan, on April 23, 2023, at the Bollywood Bistro restaurant.

Mohan, a 1995-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Bihar cadre, has been serving in his current role at the Embassy since February 2023. He previously served in the Ministry of Home Affairs in India and worked on internal security matters.

Thanking the four-million strong Indian Diaspora in the US, for the enormous assistance rendered during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Mohan noted “people drive partnerships beyond leaders, institutions, and bureaucracy.”

He said, “Indo-US relationship has steadily grown over the years from strength to strength particularly under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” while underscoring the advancements in science and technology and the progressing relationship between the world’s two largest democracies.

Mohan pointed out areas such as defense, space, trade, economic investment, education, research & development, and information technology as vital components of the US-India collaborations. He also talked about the recent development about India taking over China as the most populous country in the world and noted half of India’s population is under 30 years of age and that India is poised to become a global economy very soon.

Applauding India’s ascension from 10^th largest economy in 2014 to 5^th largest economy even amidst domestic and global challenges, he went on to praise India’s digital innovations in Unified Payments Interface, progress achieved in digitization and financial inclusiveness, and achievements under the Swachh Bharat Mission. He also highlighted India’s G20 Presidency theme “one earth, one family, one future,” and urged everyone to extend their “wholehearted support to India to realize its full potential and rightful place in the world.”

NCAIA Chairman of Trustees, Sunil Singh, welcomed Mohan on behalf of the community organizations in the DC area, and assured him of the community’s support and assistance during his tenure. Singh also provided an overview of NCAIA’s leadership role in organizing national and local events in concert with other organizations.

Welcoming Mohan, Senior Advisor of NCAIA, Alok Srivastava pledged all necessary support to the Embassy on behalf of the community. Another Senior Advisor of NCAIA, Sukhpal Dhanoa, praised the role played by the Embassy and Community Affairs wing during the pandemic and expressed that he looked forward to working with Mohan on community issues.

NCAIA Trustee, Gopinath Durgaiyanaidu recalled seeing Mohan in action, and added “I can certainly say that he is a unique officer who has demonstrated already that he is more than capable of doing his role.”

President of NCAIA, Yogendra Gupta and other community leaders also spoke at the event, and NCAIA Co-coordinator and past-President of the Tamil Sangam of Greater Washington (TSGW), Rajaram Srinivasan, delivered the vote of thanks. NCAIA past-President, Nayna Desai felicitated Mohan with a bouquet, while Srinivasan, along with members of TSGW, honored him with a silk shawl. A cultural dance and live singing performances took place as well.

First Secretary (Culture & Education), Embassy of India, Aditi Walunj was also present at the event.