The Officer Trainees of the Indian Foreign Service (2024 Batch) called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 19, 2025.
Congratulating the young officers, the President said that as they embark on their diplomatic careers, they should carry forward India’s civilizational values of peace, pluralism, non-violence, and dialogue, while staying open to diverse perspectives.
She noted that the global environment is undergoing rapid changes due to geopolitical shifts, the digital revolution, climate change, and contested multilateralism, and stressed that the agility and adaptability of young IFS officers will be vital to India’s success.
Highlighting India’s growing role in the world, the President said the country is now an essential part of solutions to global challenges, including North-South disparities, cross-border terrorism, and climate change. She reminded the officers that as diplomats, they would be the first face of India that the world sees—through their words, actions, and values.
Underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy, the President urged creative promotion of India’s heritage, from Yoga, Ayurveda, and millets to its artistic, linguistic, and spiritual traditions.
She further stressed that diplomacy should remain closely aligned with India’s domestic priorities and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, calling on the officer trainees to see themselves not only as custodians of India’s interests but also as ambassadors of its soul.
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