Modi urges envoys to help India take global leadership role

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked New Delhi’s envoys around the world to shed old mindsets and strive to help India take the lead in global affairs, rather than continuing the traditional balancing approach.

He outlined the contour of India’s new foreign policy approaches in a speech after inaugurating a conclave of New Delhi’s envoys from across the world. He noted that the current global environment represents a rare opportunity, with the world keen to embrace India, and India moving forward with confidence.

With around 120 High Commissioners and Ambassadors, and several senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers attending the Heads of Missions conference this year, Modi asked them to use the opportunity to help India position itself in a leading role globally. The prime minister also urged them to be quick to adapt to changing global scenarios.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organises the annual Heads of Missions Conference in New Delhi. The conclave that commenced on Saturday with “Diplomacy for Development” as its theme was the first after the new government took office last May.

Modi's call to the envoys came just 10 days after his government shook up the Ministry of External Affairs by replacing Sujatha Singh as foreign secretary, almost eight months before the end of her term, with S Jaishankar, India’s erstwhile envoy to the US, on January 28—just two days before his retirement from the IFS.

Though the government officially did not make public why Singh, appointed by the previous government, was shunted out, sources said Modi was keen to put Jaishankar at the helm of the MEA to infuse new dynamism into New Delhi’s diplomatic engagements with the world.

The prime minister on Saturday emphasised the roles of the heads of missions in projecting India to the world. He described them as “shining vibrant representatives” of glorious heritage, and urged them to work ceaselessly, focusing on India's development priorities.

He said the 21st century had brought with it new “actors” and new threats to global peace and prosperity. India, which always stood for “Vishva-Bandhutva” (international amity) and peace, had a great responsibility in helping the world counter these challenges.

Modi said protecting the environment was part of India's cultural heritage, and therefore, the country must take the lead in countering this challenge, and also work towards a change in global attitudes towards it. He said Indian culture was replete with illustrations of “prakriti-prem” (love for nature).

The prime minister also called for preparation of a compendium of best practices of India’s diplomatic missions, and its horizontal circulation.

He called upon the missions to contribute to develop a culture for “swachhata” (cleanliness), and remain ahead of the curve on digital diplomacy.