Familiarisation Program for Resident Heads of Mission

The Program is an initiative of SSIFS, pursuant to request of some Foreign Heads of Mission (HoMs) based in New Delhi that they would like to attend training at SSIFS with a view to understanding the background, evolution and more importantly the current status of India’s foreign policy positions, including relations with key countries. The objective is to brief the HoMs on India’s major foreign policy planks and the rationale governing them.

The Program includes modules on India’s foreign policy, trade policy, development partnership and key international issues. The Resident HoMs also get an exposure to India’s economic and technological advancements.

The week-long program has 10 sessions over 05 days in the afternoons.

The 1st Familiarisation Program for Resident HoMs was conducted at SSIFS on 20-24 August 2018. HoMs from Latin and Caribbean countries participated in the 1st Program.

The 2nd Familiarisation Program for Resident HoMs was held on 18-22 February 2019. Resident HoMs from East, South and West Africa participated.

The 3rd Familiarisation Program for Resident HoMs was conducted from 19 to 23 August 2019. Resident HoMs of Arab, Caucasian, Central Asian and North African countries participated.

The 4th Familiarization Program for Resident HoMs was conducted from 23 -27 August 2021. Resident HoMs of all regions participated.

Familiarization Program for Resident Diplomats

This Program is an initiative of SSIFS and follows a series of Familiarization Programs for Resident Heads of Missions conducted in 2018 and 2019. These latter Programs proved to be so popular with the diplomatic missions in New Delhi that SSIFS regularly received requests from them to conduct familiarization programs for their resident diplomats (not just limited to HOMs), including the newly arrived ones. Responding to these requests and in continuation of the Familiarization Programs for Resident Heads of Missions, SSIFS conducted the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions of the Familiarization Program for Resident Diplomats in January, February and March 2021 respectively. These Program have received an overwhelming response from resident diplomatic missions.

The week-long program has 10/15 sessions over 05 working days in the afternoons.  The Program is aimed at giving an introduction and perspective on India and its foreign policy including contemporary dimensions and challenges, strategic issues, relations with neighbouring countries and major powers, economic initiatives, development partnership and health diplomacy etc. to foreign diplomats resident in India. The sessions are addressed by senior serving/retired officers of the MEA and domain specialists.

Familiarization Program for Resident Diplomats