ndian embassies and consulates should be very proactive in reaching out to Indian students in their respective countries to make them feel that Indian missions are really a ‘home away from home’, a parliamentary panel said on Monday. In its latest report, the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs also noted that the profile and geographical distribution of the Indian diaspora presents a great opportunity to promote the country’s soft power and cultural diplomacy abroad. The committee recommended that potential of the diaspora community should be harnessed to serve as an effective tool in furthering India’s interest and influence globally.
“The committee also recommends that the ministry should prepare a policy framework in this regard and work out an action plan to implement the same in a time-bound manner,” the panel said in the report that was tabled in Lok Sabha.
The report said the ministry told the committee that it is exploring the possibility of creating a facility for compulsory online registration of all emigrants who are proceeding abroad for employment through various airports and check posts in India.
The committee desired that “Indian embassies/consulates should be very proactive in reaching out to our students in their universities/institutes so that they are made to feel that our Missions/Posts are really a ‘home away from home’”.
