New Delhi: The First Special Course for Diplomats from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is being held at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Services (SSIFS). Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi from September 20 – October 1, 2021.
In all 35 diplomats from six IOR countries namely the Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka are participating in the programme.
The Special Course was inaugurated on 20 September 2021 by Arun K. Chatterjee, Dean (SSIFS). A welcome reception is also being hosted.
The two-week special course encompasses modules on India’s polity and foreign policy, contemporary maritime issues, challenges and strategies, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiatives, international framework under UNCLOS, multilateral diplomacy, economic and commercial diplomacy, diplomatic protocol and communication, negotiation skills, development partnership cooperation, climate change challenges and responses, health diplomacy, disaster management etc.
The lectures are delivered by senior officials of the MEA, retired Ambassadors as well as experts from academia and think tanks.
In addition, as part of their study tours, the diplomats would be undertaking visits to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Election Commission of India, and Gandhi Smriti. The course includes study tours of historical and cultural monuments in order to experience the rich cultural heritage of India.
Throughout history, the waters of the Indian Ocean have brought the littoral countries closer together in their quest for greater cooperation and common endeavour. India considers the countries of the India’s policy of fostering greater and meaningful cooperation with them is founded on the Indian vision of SAGAR (security and Growth for All in the Region).
This first-ever Special Course will further promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the countries of the IOR and be instrumental in disseminating awareness of this region as one of ‘Peace, Progress and Prosperity’ for all, the MEA stated.
-global bihari bureau
