New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Dec 14, 2003) said there was a need to form a 'cultural commonwealth' of Indians staying around the globe to fight the challenges of terrorism, poverty and development of the nation.

"Indians staying in various parts of the world should come together to form a cultural commonwealth to fight the challenges of terrorism and poverty and build a strong and resurgent India," he said laying the foundation stone for a four-storied centrally air-conditioned building for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Vajpayee said culture had an important role to play in the rapidly growing "globalisation" besides just the advancement in communications.

The Prime Minister said the Government has taken several measures for benefit of NRIs, including appointment of an Ambassador-at-large as also the L M Singhvi committee, for suggesting steps to extend facilities to NRIs.

"However, there is still a lot more which needs to be done for NRIs and we will do still more," he said.

He said the "Brand India" (Made-in-India) label is creating waves worldwide and "we have to help in stepping this up."

PTI