Officer Trainees of Indian Foreign Service Meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi– The Officer Trainees of the 2024 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Welcoming them, the President extended her best wishes for their careers and emphasized that while representing India abroad, they must embody the timeless values of peace, pluralism, dialogue, and non-violence. At the same time, she advised them to remain receptive to diverse cultures and viewpoints. Highlighting the dynamic global environment shaped by geopolitical shifts, technological revolutions, climate change, and contested multilateralism, she stressed that flexibility and adaptability would be essential qualities for young diplomats.

President Murmu observed that India is increasingly being recognized as a key contributor in addressing global challenges—from bridging the gap between the Global North and South, tackling cross-border terrorism, to combating climate change. With India’s growing democratic and economic stature, she noted that the words, conduct, and values of IFS officers will serve as the world’s first impression of India.

Underscoring the significance of cultural diplomacy, the President remarked that bonds built through culture and heritage endure the longest. She encouraged the promotion of India’s soft power assets such as Yoga, Ayurveda, millets, and its rich artistic, linguistic, and spiritual traditions across the world.

She further emphasized that diplomacy must be closely tied to national priorities and the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. She urged the officer trainees to see themselves not only as guardians of India’s strategic interests but also as representatives of the nation’s soul.