Maharashtra becomes first state to create FDI and Diaspora Affairs department

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has created a new Department of Protocol, Foreign Direct Investment, Diaspora Affairs and Outreach by revamping and renaming the Department of Protocol — the first state in India to do so with a larger aim to attract investments and foster international relationships.

The initiative is expected to be replicated by other states.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally pursued the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

Last month, the Maharashtra government inducted Indian Foreign Service officer Dr Rajesh Gawande on deputation to the state.

Dr Gawande, who hails from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra is an IFS officer from the 2009 batch.

He was earlier posted as Regional Passport Officer & Head of Branch Secretariat in Mumbai - and before than Indian missions in Nairobi, Kampala and Berlin.

This is for the first time in India that an IFS officer has been deputed to a State government.