MEA rejects I&B plan to post IIS officers abroad; scaled-down proposal faces fresh hurdles

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has returned a proposal by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) to post Indian Information Service (IIS) officers across Indian missions abroad, prompting a scaled-down revision that is still facing resistance, sources said.

The original proposal, reported on March 18, had sought to create a global outreach unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB), with 40 IIS cadre posts stationed in foreign missions. The initiative aimed to strengthen India’s international communication strategy, project its growth story, and counter negative narratives in global media.

However, the MEA flagged multiple concerns, including the lack of language expertise among IIS officers and a potential overlap with responsibilities already handled by diplomats. The proposal was subsequently returned.

In response, the I&B ministry submitted a revised plan last month, reducing the number of proposed postings to 10. These positions are intended for key global capitals and business hubs such as Washington DC, London, Brussels, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo and Dubai—regions witnessing heightened global interest in India’s economic and geopolitical trajectory.

Despite the revision, sources indicate the proposal may still struggle to gain approval from the MEA’s administrative wing, which oversees human resource policies, including the creation of overseas posts. Officials argue that the core competencies required—such as linguistic skills and deep familiarity with local contexts—fall squarely within the mandate of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Further complications arise from potential conflicts with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs diplomatic privileges and immunities. The I&B proposal envisages IIS officers also functioning as correspondents for Prasar Bharati alongside their communication roles at missions, raising questions over their diplomatic status.

Diplomatic sources underscored that press wings in Indian missions are not merely communication arms but serve a broader strategic function. “They act as the eyes and ears of the ambassador or high commissioner, requiring continuous political judgement,” a source said, highlighting the sensitive and political nature of the role.

Government sources, however, maintain that the intent behind the proposal is not to duplicate the MEA’s External Publicity (XP) division but to bolster India’s global communication capacity. IIS officers, trained in media strategy and countering misinformation, would focus on promoting India’s economic growth, trade potential, soft power and cultural narrative, without delving into foreign policy or national security issues.

The proposal also includes empanelling foreign media outlets for government advertising and enhancing diaspora engagement to amplify India-centric content. The MEA, however, maintains that it already operates a dedicated framework for diaspora outreach.

At present, communication and media relations at Indian missions are managed by IFS officers, typically at the level of First Secretary or Counsellor. The I&B ministry has proposed appointing joint secretary-level IIS officers to head press wings, signaling a significant structural shift.

Sources said the push for an expanded global outreach has been under consideration for years but gained urgency following Operation Sindoor, which exposed vulnerabilities in countering misinformation and shaping international narratives. Officials believe a coordinated inter-ministerial approach could strengthen India’s voice globally, though consensus on its execution remains elusive.