PTI

New Delhi, Feb 16: India will soon open special offices in five countries to address the myriad problems faced by its nationals working abroad and to coordinate their investment plans back home.

The offices, likely to be named as "Pravasi Welfare Centres", to be set up in the Middle-East, Europe, the United States and South-East Asia would be under the direct control of Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA).

"These centres will cater to the problems faced by pravasi Indians like labour issues, visa troubles and their social and cultural needs," Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told reporters here.

Two centres would be opened in the Middle-East, where a large number of Indian reside, he said, adding they may come up in Dubai or in Abu Dubai, but a final decision on their locations have not been taken.

The offices would also play a role in taking care of the non-resident Indians' short and long-term investment plans in India as it will work as an interface between them and various Government departments.

The day-to-day affairs of the offices would be taken care of by the respective Indian missions, but their overall administrative control would be with the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry, he said.

"Indian missions abroad are looking after diplomatic functions. So we felt the need for opening up special offices for catering to the needs of the Pravasis," he said, adding at least three of them would be set up within three months.