“For you, it is important to read between the lines”; President Kovind’s 10 advices to young diplomats

Young diplomats of 2017 batch IFS while listening to the Prez

PRESIDENT of India Ram Nath Kovind has asked the country's youngest diplomats to master the art of nuances, understand subtleties and read between the lines. While addressing the officer-trainees of the 2017 batch of Indian Foreign Service at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, the President also asked them to learn more than one foreign languages. Here below are 10 advices of President Kovind to the young diplomats:

1. For you, it is important to master the art of nuances, understand subtleties and read between the lines.

2. Each one of you have been assigned a foreign language, but my advice to you would be learn as many languages as you can.

3. To be effective in your work, you must appreciate and understand their cultural sensibilities.

4. I must say that you are joining the Indian Foreign Service at an exciting time. India is fast expanding its global footprint.

5. Economic diplomacy is a priority for us. You have to scout for new technologies, look at ways to expand our exports and create opportunities to boost economic growth and productivity. 

6. We have to maintain robust relations with all our friends and partners to fashion a secure and prosperous world and meet our developmental aspirations.

7. You have to engage, contest and reconstruct global governance structures that adequately reflect and accommodate our interests.

8. In today’s hyper-connected world, diplomacy has become an essential component of domesticaction. There is an international connect to every aspect of our country’s growth and development, be it clean energy pathway, Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, or building High-Speed Trains. 

9. As a representative of India, you will have a privileged responsibility and a privileged life. I am sure you are going to put them to the benefit of the country in the best possible manner. And while you do so, you must remember those back home who still need to climb the ladders of development. 

10. You must commit yourselves to giving back to the society in whatever form you can.