How can MEA facilitate

Rajasekhar IFS OSD/Head (States)

At Haryana Africa Conclave

Friday, 29th October 2021 Chandigarh

Hon’ble EAM, Dr S. Jaishankar highlighted in Feb’21 how international

partnerships can make a difference in the development of a state.

Spirit of Cooperative

Competitive Federalism - propounded by PM

“So, for the first time, we are working as

Team India – a new partnership between

the Centre and the States. We speak of

cooperative federalism, but also of

competitive federalism, where states

would excel by competing with each other

for investments and jobs. We are also

giving them more resources, so that they

can build the infrastructure that you need. I

also see them as partners in our

international engagement.”

12th April 2015

Hannover

Creation of States Division: At the behest of the Hon’ble PM,

mandated to facilitate the entire spectrum of International Outreach efforts

of all States/UTs of India

Interfacing between States & Union Territories and Indian Missions/Posts,

Foreign Missions in India and various Trade bodies (both Foreign & Indian)

Hon’ble PM addressed the nation on 06 August 2021 exhorting to prepare

Action Plan/Road Map to increase exports to $400 bn p.a.

Branch Secretariats and Regional Passport Offices in

State Capitals. Complemented, inter alia, by

OIA-I, OIA-II, CPV, PGE & XP etc. support

Foreign counterparts States/

UTs

Scope

• MoUs, Smart City, Sister City/State

InitiativesGujarat – Guangdong, Karnataka – Indiana, Rajasthan

– South Australia, Mumbai – Busan (RoK),

Chennai – Kuala Lumpur; Almora-Saas Fee (Swiss)

Focus on StatesMission/Posts

Branch Secretariats

• Funding for Missions & Branch

Secretariats/RPOs for State promotion

activity

Foreign counterparts States/

UTs

Scope (contd.)

• Capacity building of State/UtsIn collaboration with SSIFS, launched this new Training

Program, for officers from the States/UTs, in International

engagement.

• Dev., Mgt, oversight of institutions/

• structures like Branch Secretariats

Mission/Posts

Branch Secretariats

/RPOs• Facilitation of Diplomatic

outreachHelping foreign missions engage with States/UTs

(First calls by foreign HoMs is done by Protocol)

Foreign counterparts States/

UTs

Scope (contd.)

• Facilitate Externally aided

Infrastructure projects in N E

StatesMEA’s role as a Member on the Committee, inter

alia, on N E States Infra Dev Scheme (NESIDS),

facilitating development of infrastructure with the

help of external funding through ADB, WB, NDB

Kohima Water supply scheme

• Coordination of communication

between State/UT Govts. and

Missions/PostsWorld Bank Funded NDMA project

Mission/Posts

Branch Secretariats

/RPOs

Conversations through

Paradiplomacy

Deccan Dialogue

Round Table with RCs

Launching a new North East

Round Table Dialogue shortly

Specific focus for Outcomescontd.

Global Best Practices

through Sister City/

Sister State

Partnerships

State Allotment to IFS

officers

State Facilitation ActivitiesIllustrative:

• Help our Missions/Posts abroad to undertake activities for promotion

of economic interests of States/UTs

• E.g. State Days abroad

• Focus on a particular State, e.g. Focus Haryana

• Diplomatic showcase etc.

• Tourism Promotion Events/Roadshows

(Indemb in Brazil Tourism promotion in Virtual format - Kerala,

Maharashtra, Gujarat in Dec 2020, Goa in August 2021)

• Facilitation of Delegations- Conducting events during visits – Both

incoming & outgoing

(Incoming HOG/HOSs are encouraged to visit a state, besides Delhi)

• Buyer-Seller Meet, with focus on north-east - Promoting

handicrafts/gifts 25 February 2021

(Targeting neighbouring countries)

State Facilitation Activitiescontd.

EVENTS IN STATES

● First, Second and Third Deccan

Dialogues in 2018, 2019 & 2020

● Rising Himachal- 2019

● Global Investors Summit

Magnetic Maharashtra:

Convergence- 2018

● Global Investors Summit

Advantage Assam- 2018

State Investment Summits (contd)

● Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit-

2018

● Bengal Global Business Summit-

2018

● Happening Haryana Investors

Summit

- 2016

Rising Himachal

Rising Himachal (contd)

• HP Global Investors Meet at Dharamsala, November, 2019.

• The two day event showcased investment opportunities and the

business friendly framework created by the State government to promote

investment in various sectors.

• Leading Captains of Industry (S/Shri Ratan Tata, Adi Godrej, Anand

Mahindra & Mukesh Ambani).

Diplomatic Outreach to States/UTs

Inviting Diplomatic Community to States- to enable interactions

● with Government officials and business community

● Presenting State investment and industrial policy, innovations,

(Recent visit of 60 Envoys to Hyderabad to showcase vaccine dev.)

● Holding bilateral meetings with Ambassadors

● We are open to ideas to create event/activity as required

Diplomatic Outreach to States/UTscontd.

Deccan Dialogue (3.0), 2020:

Crisis and Cooperation: Imperative in the times of

Pandemic

Connect to Reconnect Through

Bordering states - Cultural/Heritage Linkages

Manipur/Mizoram – Myanmar Cultural Linkages

Bihar - Bhutan Cultural Affinity

• Explores opportunities in communications and networking to

promote bilateral economic cooperation.

• The initiative opens new vistas for constructive discussions

through webinars, inter alia, on the current state of connectivity

between bordering states of India and the neighbouring country.

Connectivity Through Cultural Linkages (contd.)

All IFS officers are sensitised of PM’s Vision

on requirements of States

● A durable and continuing mechanism of

allocation of States and UTs to each

officer of the Foreign Service

● Continuous exchange with States/UT

Governments on matters related to

external engagement – State

Attachment Modules of MCTPs for IFS

● Visits by Indian Ambassadors & High

Commissioners, as part of Bharat

Darshan, to States & UTs concerned.

International Cooperation to

Build on Core Competencies

Infrastructure Development

Attracting FDI

Capacity Building through Technical Assistance

Building on Core competency

Boosting the economy by increasing foreign trade – exploring

MoUs between organisations.

Showcasing the rich handicraft tradition and boosting its

exports.

Cooperation with foreign institutions/ entities for cultural

exchange.

Way Forward

1. Feedback from States: Sharing of Inv. Policy/Investible Projects/ sectors/

priorities/ expectations/ Technology Transfer. States will do well to focus on offering

Ready Made Proposals for foreign investors, factoring in the comparative

advantages and possible facilitation. Gujarat & TN.

2. IFS Officers as Ambassadors of State- Email Groups/ regular updates on

Policies/ events/ visits /State Attachment Modules

3. Liaisoning : RCs / Nodal Officers in States – periodic meetings.

4. Visits Abroad facilitation- Prior consultation on program with

Mission/Territorial Division, to optimise the effort/outcome

Way Forward5. Incoming Delegations- with inputs from Territorial Division on reciprocity,

protocol formats

6. Planning Ahead- Sharing of the States’ planned investment promotion

events and visits abroad schedule with MEA at the beginning of the year

7. Diplomatic Outreach Events – Upon formation of a new Govt. in the State

for Promotion of a specific sector/ policy

8. Para-Diplomacy Dialogues- With State Industry/ Tourism Department/

Export Promotion Bodies in partnership, with prestigious academic institutes / think

tanks.

Way Forward

9. Twinning- Sister City and State Partnerships – Outcome oriented agreements

for sharing of best global Tech/Mgt practices/ skill development/ tech exchanges with

similarly placed City/State.

10. Training Officers from States, improving constantly, through your feedback.

11. Nodal Officers in States are encouraged to take pro-active initiatives.

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