New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on young Indian Foreign Service officers to deepen India’s engagement with local communities in their countries of posting and build relationships that go beyond governments and institutions.

Interacting with 50 Officer Trainees of the 2025 IFS batch at Seva Teerth, Modi urged the young diplomats to expand their networks at the grassroots level and strengthen India’s connection with people in different parts of the world.

The Prime Minister asked the trainees to combine India’s civilisational strengths with technology, innovation and effective communication to expand the country’s global engagement. He also called on them to act as catalytic agents for India’s economic engagement with the world.

Modi stressed the need for Indian Missions to strengthen their digital presence and make greater use of technology to improve consular and other services. He noted that a mission’s website is often the first point of interaction for people and called for services that are more seamless, responsive and citizen-centric.

The Prime Minister also asked the young diplomats to contribute to India’s efforts to become a more attractive global tourism destination by showcasing its civilisational, cultural and geographical diversity.

He suggested using the “Bharat ko Janiye” (Know India) Quiz to create greater interest in India among young people worldwide and encouraged the use of artificial intelligence and gaming to make such initiatives more engaging.

The Officer Trainees, who represent different States and Union Territories, shared their experiences from their training and Bharat Darshan. They also discussed the importance of understanding India’s civilisational and cultural links with countries across the world.

BI Bureau