New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with officer trainees from the 2023 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) on Thursday, August 29, 2024, emphasising that India engages with the world on an "equal footing, with mutual respect and dignity."
 

During the meeting, the trainees commended the success of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and sought his guidance for their upcoming assignments. The Prime Minister encouraged the trainees to strengthen their engagement with the Indian diaspora when posted abroad and to carry the country’s culture with pride and dignity.
 

Modi advised the trainees to move beyond the colonial mindset in all aspects of life, including their personal conduct, and to represent India with pride. He highlighted how India’s global perception is changing, stating, "We engage with the world on equal footing, with mutual respect and dignity."
 

The Prime Minister also discussed how India’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic compared favourably with other nations and mentioned the country's progress towards becoming the third-largest economy.
 

The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The 2023 batch of IFS trainees consists of 36 officers from 15 different states and Union Territories.

/BI