Become catalytic agents, focus on trade, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi to IFS officials

NEW DELHI: Laying stress on trade and commerce, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked Indian Foreign Service officials to become catalytic agents to convey the strengths of India to the world.

Addressing a batch of Indian Foreign Service ( IFS) probationers here, he said India needs to concentrate on 'zero-defect manufacturing' and 'packaging and presentation', to boost its exports.

Congratulating the IFS probationers on their selection as "representatives of India to the world", Modi asked them to reflect the essence of India's image and self-esteem as they take up their assignments across the world.

He told the group of 29 that their focus should be on expansion of trade and commerce and technology transfer, a PMO statement said.

Asking the young probationers to be well-acquainted with India's history and its historical links with various countries of the world, Modi said they should also motivate the Indian diaspora to take pride in India, it said.

Modi exhorted the officer-trainees to become "catalytic agents to convey the strengths of India to the world, so that mutually beneficial exchanges can take place."

Asking them to focus on 'zero-defect manufacturing' and 'packaging and presentation' to boost exports, he gave an illustration, highlighting that Indian herbal medicines were among the best in the world, but are lagging behind Chinese products due to poor packaging.

Similarly, the huge diversity and range of Indian handicrafts has not been presented properly to the world, he said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh were present at the interaction at his residence.