Indians working in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries have a larger and decisive role to play in shaping the future of India, according to A. Saeed, National President of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a new political party in Kerala State.

Addressing NRIs at a function on Friday in Jeddah, he said SDPI has a ‘Pravasi Forum’ in India to look after the welfare of the returning NRIs.

He said that NRIs in several areas can influence results by advising their families and friends back home. He appreciated Indian Fraternity Forum’s humanitarian activities for Indian worker in the Kingdom. He noted that foreign remittance of the overseas Indian community to India is the backbone of the country’s economy and invaluable in achieving the present development of the country.

He added that Indian expatriates should be aware of the situation back home and have their say in the political process.

He termed mainstream political parties including Congress as private corporations working for their own vested interests.

Moulana Osman Baig explained SDPI’s political agenda and the party’s success in several states in local body elections.

The function was attended by leaders of various socio-cultural organizations of Jeddah. Indian Social Forum’s President Mohammed Ashraf Morayur presided and Mohammed Iqbal welcomed the guests.