- Foreign secretary to have a minimum tenure of two years; merit and performance—and not seniority alone—to be main criteria for selection. This measure would impart perspective and stability to policy-making;
- Performance and merit to define promotion policy for entire cadre, with the weeding out process beginning at director level;
- Develop capabilities to deal with new emerging areas that have become central to diplomacy such as energy, counter-terrorism, environment, export controls and international crimes;
- Integrate further the policy planning and research division with MEA functioning, with inputs from intelligence agencies and think-tanks;
- Create internal advisory committee to help reach key policy decisions;
- Rightsize missions abroad;
- Strengthen staffing pattern at Delhi to achieve a ratio of 1:2 between headquarters and the various missions abroad;
- Emphasise on economic aspect of diplomacy, and directly involve CII, FICCI, Assocham to provide economic inputs, especially in places like London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore, Brussels, Paris, Moscow, Dubai;
Towards A Lean And Mean Ministry
Armed with an insider's perspective, S.K. Lambah drafts a charter to change the face of the MEA
- Revive post of inspector general for bringing greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of missions abroad;
- Post officers to state capitals.To begin with, in states that have borders with other countries and those where foreign investors are concentrated (like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore);
- Upgrade passport offices and suggested head of the CPV (Consular, Passport, Visas division) be an additional secretary;
- Separate office of spokesperson from the external publicity division; suggests the office of a deputy spokesperson to coordinate with media and other MEA divisions. (The Sen Committee too underscored the importance of making such an officer free from administrative responsibilities); and
- Expedite construction of Videsh Bhavan (Foreign Office), for which land has been allotted.
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