20 Journalists/Editors from five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan) are visiting India on a familiarization programme on 22-29 April 2019. As part of the programme, the delegation visited the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India on 24 April 2019.
Amb J.S. Mukul, Dean FSI briefed the Journalists/Editors on the activities of FSI. He informed the delegation about the training programmes conducted by FSI for Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers and other/officials of MEA and other ministries. Amb. Mukul gave a detailed briefing on training programmes conducted by FSI for foreign diplomats in the spirit of South-South Cooperation.
He noted that over 2500 diplomats from 180 countries, including nearly 140 from Central Asian countries, have participated in these programmes. He also informed the delegation that a 2-week first Special Course for Diplomats from Central Asian countries would be conducted by FSI from 24 June to 6 July 2019. This was followed by a question-answer session. Amb. Mukul hosted a lunch reception for the delegation.
The visit of the Journalists/Editors is one more step in strengthening of centuries old ties between India and Central Asia.