NEW DELHI: "India is as safe as any other part of the world," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured non-resident Indians on Monday.

"We are duty-bound to provide security to all those who come to India. The risk involved in carrying out activities [in India] is definitely not going to be more than in other parts of the world," he said speaking at the Pravasi Bharati Divas celebrations here.

Mr. Patil asked the Indian diaspora not to entertain apprehensions, and assured them that the Government would be as effective as any other country or power in providing security.

Opportunities

India provided abundant opportunities for investment in electronic and genetic engineering. It had made rapid strides in the software sector and the NRIs could offer assistance in hardware.

The country had the geographical advantages to pursue genetic science and overseas Indians could bring in skill and technology.

Another area of vital importance was ocean bed energy, Mr. Patil said and called for mutual cooperation between the NRIs and the Government.

Agri business

Speaking at another session, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said there was tremendous opportunity for the private sector in agri-business, especially in creation of marketing infrastructure involving the setting up of pack houses and cold storage. "Our Government is supporting such ventures in the form of equity participation.''

Stressing the need for a second green revolution to raise the growth rate of agriculture to four per cent, he said policies were being framed to ensure that growth was broadbased, benefiting all parts of the country, especially rural areas.

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