India's Foreign Service to receive corporate training

Hindustan Times ^ | New Delhi, June 30 | Saurabh Shukla

[DeaconBenjamin]

With economic diplomacy becoming central to India’s foreign policy, Indian diplomats will now have to spend time with corporate houses before they go for a foreign posting.

The Ministry of External Affairs has approved a proposal to send IFS probationers for a 3-4 week attachment to select corporate houses for hands-on experience on corporate and business issues.

The stint is expected to accustom them to the corporate environment. It is aimed at coordinating the functioning of Indian missions and MNCs and corporate houses.

Besides this, officials believe, a stint with an MNC or a corporate house will help diplomats understand the problems and issues facing such companies.

The corporate attachment will be a part of a special course being devised by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, for IFS trainees. It follows an MEA proposal that the thrust on economic diplomacy should reflect in the training for Indian diplomats.

The project has the approval of the External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha who has been a strong supporter of economic diplomacy.

The move seems driven by pragmatic thinking, given economic relations between nations have assumed greater importance in the globalised world.

The recent example is Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s China visit where economic diplomacy played a key role.

“This hands-on training was the need of the hour as the focus of Indian diplomacy is changing. Since most of these probationers come from different background, it is essential they get experience in a corporate environment,” a senior official said.

The attachment will begin in September with 16 probationers from the 2002 batch of the IFS.

The training will be part of a six-week course in IIM Bangalore, which will comprise courses on trade disputes, economic negotiations, on issues like attracting foreign direct investment, organising trade fairs and marketing Indian companies abroad.

Officials believe the attachment will bridge the gap between the thinking of Indian diplomats and corporate houses. Indian diplomats can then help these companies in getting business abroad or attracting foreign companies to India.

IIM Bangalore sources say it will be a prestigious project.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Those who own the gold make the rules.

[mikeIII]

At least, it isn't the kind of training camp graduates that the Pakis export!

[DeaconBenjamin]

Your list not only tracks the US state department, but other foreign ministries around the world?

[Always A Marine]

Smart move by New Delhi, I believe. A sound economy is as important as a strong defense, since it pays the bills. What's good for General Veggie Moose is good for India.