PM Narendra Modi asks IFS officers to read Indian history, motivate Indian diaspora

PRIME minister Narendra Modi exhorted 29 officer trainees of 2012 batch of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) to be well-acquainted with India’s history, and its historical links with various countries of the world. While interacting with the would-be-diplomats at 7 Race Course on Thursday, Modi added that IFS probationer should…

reflect the essence of India’s image and self-esteem, as they take up their assignments across the world. He added that as members of the Foreign Service, they should also motivate the Indian diaspora to take pride in India.

Significantly, 2012 batch happens to be the largest batch of IFS, and also has the largest number of women probationers in it.

Prime Minister said focus should be on expansion of trade and commerce, and technology transfer. He said India needs to concentrate on “zero-defect manufacturing” and “packaging and presentation”, to boost its exports. Giving an illustration, he said Indian herbal medicines were among the best in the world, but are lagging behind Chinese products due to poor packaging, a statement issued by the PMO said.

Similarly, the huge diversity and range of Indian handicraft has not been presented properly to the world.

The Prime Minister exhorted the officer trainees to become catalytic agents to convey the strengths of India to the world, so that mutually beneficial exchanges can take place.

Those present during the interaction included national security adviser Ajit Doval, principal secretary to prime minister Nripendra Misra, and foreign secretary Sujatha Singh.