In a fresh proposal, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has scaled down its plan to post Indian Information Service (IIS) officers in Indian missions abroad. The number has been brought down from 40 to 10.
The earlier plan was to create a global outreach unit under the Press Information Bureau. IIS officers were to be posted in missions to handle India’s image and respond to foreign media coverage.
The proposal did not get approval from the Ministry of External Affairs. The MEA raised objections. It said IIS officers may not have the required language skills. It also pointed out that media work in missions is already handled by Indian Foreign Service officers.
The I&B Ministry has now revised the proposal. It has suggested only 10 posts. These are likely to be in key global cities and business centres.
According to sources, even the revised plan may face hurdles. The MEA’s administrative wing deals with staffing and posts abroad. It may not clear the proposal.
The MEA has also raised issues about roles. Its External Publicity division already handles foreign media. There are also concerns about diplomatic rules under the Vienna Convention if duties overlap.
The move is part of efforts to improve India’s outreach abroad. But there are differences between ministries on how this should be done.
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