Trade, tourism and tech key: PM to envoys

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants India’s envoys to foreign nations to focus more on international trade which , he believes, is an intrinsic and crucial part of the country’s diplomatic outreach. In a meeting with his ministers and bureaucrats earlier this month, the Prime Minister also spoke about how diplomats posted in foreign countries can try to boost inflow of tourists and technology from foreign shores to the country.

Modi’s focus on the three Ts, trade, tourism and technology comes at a time when New Delhi has drastically improved its ease of doing business and opened up more avenues for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The government, which is also dealing with an economic slowdown , is keen to attract investment to push growth.

According to an official present in the meeting, which took place on January 17, there was also a discussion about greater synergy and cooperation between the external affairs ministry and ministries which have international exposure -trade, finance, and defence, for instance. Currently, ministries such as finance and defence have a permanent post allocated to foreign service officers.

According to official data available till FY 18-19, India has exported goods worth $52,458.60 to USA, its largest export destination, followed by UAE ($30,077.70). Apt from China, Hong Kong and Singapore, Indian exports have not reached $10,000 in other countries.