In a unique effort to make direct connect with the larger population, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday launched an initiative in Hyderabad called ‘Videsh Aaya Pradesh ke Dwaar’ (Foreign Policy at the doorstep of regions). The initiative will see the MEA spokesperson and senior officers meeting the media persons of the various regional newspapers and television groups to communicate Government’s foreign policy priorities in simple terms and highlighting the benefits through Government’s diplomatic efforts.
The MEA said that the initiative is part of Government’s enhanced public diplomacy outreach and its commitment to take the objectives of foreign policy to the people at the grassroot-level.
The initiative involves MEA’s engagement with the regional media based in different cities.
“Through our direct interaction with the local media, the Ministry desires to communicate our foreign policy priorities in simple terms, highlight the benefits accruing to the common people through our diplomatic efforts and bring the domain of foreign policy closer to the people. It also intends to create a pool of media professionals interested in foreign policy and guide them on connecting with the MEA,” officials in the MEA said.
The initiative was launched in Hyderabad, a key centre for Telugu and Urdu media, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. To bring a topic of interest to the local media, Nagendra Prasad, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in MEA and a native Telugu speaker, gave a brief presentation about India’s relations with the Gulf. A general presentation about the functioning of the MEA was also made. The event was attended by around 40 Editors and representatives from the main media organisations based in Hyderabad, MEA said.
According to the officials, the MEA spokesperson and an officer in-charge of a particular subject will be meetings media persons in various cities to rope them in the functions and activities of the Ministry and help them understand the benefits of certain measures and decisions taken in the foreign policy. Sources said the foreign policy has been traditionally covered by media in New Delhi while regional media picked up and translated news sent by correspondents from New Delhi. The government now wants the regional media to have direct connect with the MEA and the local reporters will be encouraged to access news of their interests.