Mulay, Former Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs says Every Lok Sabha Constituency to have a passport office soon

MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and All India Association of Industries organized an interactive meeting that was attended by diplomatic corps and delegates from trade and industry, academic institutions and government departments and former secretary of Minister of External Affairs, Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay highlighted government’s steps to protect overseas Indians.

Commenting on this occasion, Mulay, Former Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, says, “Diplomats are the nation builders as they promote trade, investment and exchange of technologies. Diplomats make the world feel like one family and they are the bridge that connects people across borders similar to platforms such as Facebook and Whatsapp. Embassies play a vital role in connecting start-up enterprises and new entrepreneurs with their potential business partners abroad. Chambers of commerce must connect start-up enterprises and new entrepreneurs with Embassies abroad so that they can tie-up with business partners abroad”.

He also added, ”In 2014, Government of India has set up ‘states division’ under the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with state governments and incorporating their concerns and suggestions in foreign diplomacy. The number of passport offices in the country has risen from 77 to 436. In the days ahead, the government aims to have at least one passport office in every Lok Sabha constituency. In order to encourage tourism sector, Government of India has introduced e-visa facility for nationals of 165 countries without reciprocal arrangement”.

For the last four years, over 90,000 Indians have been rescued from various countries and government of India has provided additional funds to upgrade the counselor sections in its embassy abroad. Indians embassies abroad now support local Indians in organizing social or cultural events and strengthen bonding within the diaspora community.

Vijay Kalantari, President, All India Association of Industries &  Vice Chairman, MVIRDC- World Trade Center Mumbai, comments, “Mr. Mulay was a simple and unassuming diplomat who served in India’s mission in USA, Russia, Japan, Maldives and other countries. Promoting trade and investment is a crucial component of international diplomacy. Today, the entire world is a village and diplomacy plays an important role in connecting people through trade, tourism, cultural exchange, education and investment. Indian economy is growing at 7.4 percent today and diplomacy plays an important role in enhancing this growth to 10 percent level. Greater engagement in foreign trade and exchange of knowledge and technological knowhow can enhance economic growth”.

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