Lateral entry into the MEA :)

[Rowdy]

@Mad Indian @Sakal Gharelu Ustad @Khagesh @blueblood @Yusuf @maomao @pmaitra @OneGrimPilgrim and others
(also ex-servicemen oops veterans @Bhadra )
Instead of typing Keyboard theories on DFI... I hope some of you would apply and get paid for the same

 

[Sakal Gharelu Ustad]

Too big a price for giving up independent views.

Criticism is easy!!

 

[blueblood]

@Mad Indian @Sakal Gharelu Ustad @Khagesh @blueblood @Yusuf @maomao @pmaitra @OneGrimPilgrim and others
(also ex-servicemen oops veterans @Bhadra )
Instead of typing Keyboard theories on DFI... I hope some of you would apply and get paid for the same

They just opened the doors for the best and brightest who do not want go through the messy UPSC, which essentially means that all of us are already selected.

 

[blueblood]

The limitations that this leads to become obvious when one looks at MEA’s territorial divisions. The MEA has a single joint secretary to look at North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan and Tibetan refugees. A single joint secretary handles all the 20 Latin American countries and a dozen Caribbean countries in New Delhi and India does not post full fledged ambassadors to smaller but important Latin American countries like Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. The entire South East Asian region, comprising the 10 ASEAN member states, along with Australia and New Zealand is handled by one joint secretary.

http://www.stratpost.com/indian-diplomacy-fails-numbers-test

Indian diplomatic corps is about the same size as Singapore.

 

[Rowdy]

The limitations that this leads to become obvious when one looks at MEA’s territorial divisions. The MEA has a single joint secretary to look at North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan and Tibetan refugees. A single joint secretary handles all the 20 Latin American countries and a dozen Caribbean countries in New Delhi and India does not post full fledged ambassadors to smaller but important Latin American countries like Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. The entire South East Asian region, comprising the 10 ASEAN member states, along with Australia and New Zealand is handled by one joint secretary.

http://www.stratpost.com/indian-diplomacy-fails-numbers-test

Indian diplomatic corps is about the same size as Singapore.

And talk about joblessness.

 

[DingDong]

And talk about joblessness.

IFS is not a very attractive service/placement, no maal-pani you know. Just look at the size of the US Embassy in Delhi and compare it with other embassies. If India wants to become global player, we need eyes and hands on ready.

I say good step by the government, it will be interesting to see how many opt for it.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

For a large nation and emerging market and growing economy the diplomat numbers seems to be far behind other economic powers.

 

[blueblood]

IFS is not a very attractive service/placement, no maal-pani you know. Just look at the size of the US Embassy in Delhi and compare it with other embassies. If India wants to become global player, we need eyes and hands on ready.

I say good step by the government, it will be interesting to see how many opt for it.

You are very very wrong. IFS constitutes the top 1-2% of the people who qualified UPSC. Enjoying your lavish lifestyle in different countries at govt expense is a dream. While, your local patwari is a multicrorepati, he can never buy diplomatic protocol. :grin:

 

[Compersion]

The same ought to apply for all ministries and departments. It is a good step and it would be good to develop a study on how the US and others use entrance standards for mid-level entrants because the level needs to be of a certain high level. There is also a standard where people are caught outside the system because of recognition of their talents. But that is more important for the special agencies.

The above approach also needs to be in conjunction with expanding and developing the MEA into a larger body. The figures are ridiculous and how small we are and with out footprint growing larger overseas. One must not fear the purity of a beautiful physique is downgraded by larger numbers and also apprehension for loyalty and nationalism not being there because that was always the case and much more hazardous before. It can work in our favors always.

The fastest way would be to change the title of MEA to Department of Foreign Affairs and (External) Trade. MEA can take a lot of the Commerce ministry staff (lateral hire). The Commerce ministry that is left over can be put into the Finance Ministry. A Indian Foreign Services entity needs to think not only in Foreign Affairs but also about Foreign Trade. Many countries want and need to trade and we have a lot to offer and we ought to do it in a professional and simple approach to them. A Indian Ambassador needs to be measured on not only how good the foreign relationship is with India but how much trade has improved. Private industrial sector needs to have a equity in the MEA. ****** On a side note - Shashi Tharoor would have applied through such a route and not come through Congress if he was given a choice. Thats the reason for his tweets (is it a tint of regret - good of him to let it flow - i know he is on the foreign committee and he would have known about the decision and part of its discussion).