Indian heads of mission to meet next month

There would be much brainstorming among 120 Indian heads of missions on the topic - 'India's Place in Changing World Order: Where Do We See Ourselves? What Do We Wish to Achieve?' - during a four-day conference next month.

The fifth heads of mission conference is being held here Nov 4-7.

"We expect approximately 120 of Indian ambassadors and high Commissioners to various countries to converge in Delhi for this annual feature," said external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin here Thursday.

The heads of mission would interact with President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also to address them.

In addition to the usual focus on neighbours and South Asia, the effort this year would also be "to focus in a very specific regional manner. Therefore, we are having with CII and FICCI roundtables focused on different regions", he said.

There would be specific sessions devoted to Africa, Latin America, Central Asia, Europe and also sessions devoted to consular and passport issues which are assuming increasing importance, he added.

Sam Pitroda, adviser to the prime minister on public information infrastructure and innovation would address the envoys on "Innovations as Instruments of Foreign Policy". This is again a new venture that we are endeavouring," said the spokesperson.

--Indo-Asian News service

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