Seeking reverse brain drain, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday suggested tapping the vast pool of knowledge among the Indian scientific community abroad and introduction of international peer review in research laboratories.

"The global Indian diaspora is a vast pool of knowledge that we must tap, especially in the sciences. We must try and attract the best and brightest of our scientists abroad to return home and participate in the adventure of building a knowledge-based economy here," he said inaugurating the 94th Indian Science Congress in this temple town.

Dr Singh said many bright young Indian scientists working abroad in advanced fields of research wish to come home for varying periods of time and "we must fully exploit the potential of this reverse brain drain."

Dr Singh said India's visa regime, employment procedures and remuneration systems, especially in universities and government institutions, must change and respond to facilitate this.

"Our mindset must change too," he added. Expressing concern over declining standards in scientific research work, the prime minister proposed introduction of a system of international peer review in the research labs.

He said while new careers in science were opening up in private sector and multinational companies were also investing in science research, "We must also ensure that the public sector too is able to attract bright researchers in science and technology."

Expressing concern over the declining enrolment in schools and colleges in basic science, Dr Singh said, "The teaching of science and mathematics in our schools ought to be made sufficiently interesting for young people."

Dr Singh said the government was committed to increasing the annual expenditure on science and technology from less than 1 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent in the next five years.

The prime minister said investing in science was "not an end in itself nor was it merely a means to advance knowledge and promote development. It should help inculcate a rational and modern outlook so that we can address the complex problems we face in a rational and humane manner."

Stressing the need to make science research "an attractive career option," Dr Singh said while more and better students should be attracted, "this will not happen unless younger scientists are groomed to take over top positions. Only when students see prospects of early reward and recognition, will they be induced to tread the often lonely and toilsome trail of advanced research."

Dr Singh said economic incentives and rewards should be so oriented as to attract more bright students.