247. Increasing strength of diplomatic cadres; experts in foreign policy-making through mechanism; university of foreign policy; assisting states in international outreach
Status: The strength of different cadres of the Ministry of External Affairs has increased marginally. The cadres include the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), IFS General Cadre Branch B, Stenographers Cadre, Interpreters Cadre, and Legal & Treaties Cadre, among others. However, no substantial step has been taken in the past five years to set up a dedicated foreign policy university. Similarly, no separate mechanism has been instituted as yet to involve experts in foreign policy making. While no dedicated measure has been taken to assist the states in their international outreach, the programme of ‘One District, One Product-Districts as Exports Hub (ODOP-DEH)’ involves working with States/UTs to develop at least one product/brand from each district and market it overseas. More than 1200 such products from 767 districts across India are being promoted under the programme. i ii