Indian diplomacy is getting a boost – but it’s still ‘no match’ for likes of US, China or UK
- The expansion of the 850-strong foreign service reflects India’s aspiration for a significant role in the evolving global order
- But it will continue to dwarf the diplomatic corps of countries like China and the US in not just size but skills, from language to technological expertise
India plans to add some 200 employees to its “short-staffed” diplomatic corps over the next five years in a mark of its expanding global ambitions, but even as observers welcome the move, concerns linger about the calibre of such staff members to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Simultaneously, two conflicts on different continents, intricately tied to India’s interests, demand diplomatic finesse.
While the Indian government downplays the significance of the recent approval, the move has been lauded by members of the Indian diplomatic community and its close observers.
“The news that we’re expanding our diplomatic corps is welcoming. Capacity issues have long influenced Indian foreign policy, and considering the extensive nature of India’s global engagements, it’s time to address this aspect,” said Harsh V Pant, Vice-President Studies and Foreign Policy at the Observer Research Foundation think tank in Delhi.
