Topic: FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE in 2006

FSI has been shifted to its new premises in November, 2006 at old JNU Campus.

The Indian Foreign Service Probationers of the 2004 batch completed the one year training course at the FSI in January, 2006 and the 2006 Batch of the IFS Probationers commenced their one-year comprehensive training programme with the Institute on 8 January, 2007.

After participating in the Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, the 2005 Batch of IFS Probationers commenced their one-year comprehensive training programme with the Foreign Service Institute on December 5, 2005. Besides modules on international relations and foreign policy, defence and security, economic diplomacy, international law, parliamentary affairs, cultural diplomacy, protocol and consular matters, the programme included sessions on practical skills such as administration and accounts, communication skills, representational skills, relations with the media etc. The programmes included Mission Orientation visits to Sri Lanka. They were also deputed to a four week visit to different Missions for training viz. Geneva, Vienna, New York, Addis Ababa, Bhutan, Bangaldesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Kuwait and UAE. Upon completion of the training, the 2005 batch of IFS Probationers were reverted to the Ministry for training in various Divisions before posting abroad in January, 2007.
FSI was tasked with conducting the first Special Orientation Programme for IFS(B) Garde I officers. to provide them an insight on International Relations, Economic and Cultural Diplomacy and Representational Skills.
In 2006 a total of five Basic Professional Courses were organized for the staff of the Ministry of External Affairs. The first Special Refresher course for Section officers was also organized in 2006.

At the request of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), the second course on "Main Currents in India's Foreign Policy" for senior officers of the Indian Police Service, following the successful and well received First course for IPS officers; will now be held in the first quarter of 2007. A special training programme was also organized, for the first time, for officers from the Cabinet Secretariat in May, 2006.

Together with the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, FSI conducted the two courses on "Diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy" for journalists from March 20 to 24,2006 and from August 28 to September 1, 2006. 27 and 22 media persons participated in the programme respectively representing the print as well as the electronic media, dailies and wire services. The programme was open to foreign correspondents/ representatives of foreign media and among the participants were representatives of BBC, CNBC, Moroccan News Agency, and the Vietnam News Agency, as well as Foreign correspondent from Afghanistan and SAARC countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.


At the request of AIR INDIA, a senior officer of the Institute addressed Air India Officers proceeding abroad on posting, At the Air India Staff College, Mumbai.

Special Event:
A special event was organized at the Foreign Service Institute on 3 January 2006 for the inauguration of "The J.N. Dixit Collection" in the Library of the Institute and to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing away of Shri J.N. Dixit, former National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary. Shri Dixit had in his will gifted his personal collection of books to the library of the Institute.
Programmes for Foreign Diplomats:
The 40thand 41st Professional Courses for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) were organized from 1 February to 10 March 2006 and 4 October to November 10, 2006 respectively. Twenty eight diplomats from 26 countries attended the 40th PCFD and twenty five diplomats from 21 countries attended the 41st PCFD.

The PCFD is the premier programme run by FSI for foreign diplomats and is fully funded, including international passage and hospitality cost. About one thousand foreign diplomats have attended these programmes since the PCFD commenced in 1992.

The PCFD curriculum includes workshops on bilateral diplomacy, multilateral negotiations, communication skills and crisis management; talks on India's culture, society, polity, economy, achievements in science and technology, and foreign policy; and, on international relations. Each PCFD also includes two out-station study tours as well as lectures.

The 4th Special Course for Afghan diplomats were held during 3 April to 3 May, 2006. Twenty Afghan Diplomats attended the course. A course for diplomats from ASEAN countries was also organized during August 21 to September 22, 2006, following the announcement by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the 4th INDIA-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 13 December 2005 in this regard.

Agreements/MoUs providing a framework of cooperation between FSI and corresponding institutes of Ecuador and Romania were signed during the year. Discussions on possibilities of cooperation were also held with Mexico, Mauritius and Sudan. Senegal showed keen interest in training their Diplomats in the ongoing courses conducted by FSI and requested for ten slots in FSI courses to be reserved for them. FSI hosted the Deans of counterpart Institutes from Crotia, Bulgaria and Mexico and issues such as mutual cooperation and exchange programmes were discussed with them.

Special Event:
A special event was organized at the Foreign Service Institute on 3 January 2006 for the inauguration of "The J.N. Dixit Collection" in the Library of the Institute and to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing away of Shri J.N. Dixit, former National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary. Shri Dixit had in his will gifted his personal collection of books to the library of the Institute.
Programmes for Foreign Diplomats:
The 40thand 41st Professional Courses for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) were organized from 1 February to 10 March 2006 and 4 October to November 10, 2006 respectively. Twenty eight diplomats from 26 countries attended the 40th PCFD and twenty five diplomats from 21 countries attended the 41st PCFD.

The PCFD is the premier programme run by FSI for foreign diplomats and is fully funded, including international passage and hospitality cost. About one thousand foreign diplomats have attended these programmes since the PCFD commenced in 1992.

The PCFD curriculum includes workshops on bilateral diplomacy, multilateral negotiations, communication skills and crisis management; talks on India's culture, society, polity, economy, achievements in science and technology, and foreign policy; and, on international relations. Each PCFD also includes two out-station study tours as well as lectures.

The 4th Special Course for Afghan diplomats were held during 3 April to 3 May, 2006. Twenty Afghan Diplomats attended the course. A course for diplomats from ASEAN countries was also organized during August 21 to September 22, 2006, following the announcement by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the 4th INDIA-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 13 December 2005 in this regard.

Agreements/MoUs providing a framework of cooperation between FSI and corresponding institutes of Ecuador and Romania were signed during the year. Discussions on possibilities of cooperation were also held with Mexico, Mauritius and Sudan. Senegal showed keen interest in training their Diplomats in the ongoing courses conducted by FSI and requested for ten slots in FSI courses to be reserved for them. FSI hosted the Deans of counterpart Institutes from Crotia, Bulgaria and Mexico and issues such as mutual cooperation and exchange programmes were discussed with them.