Parliamentary Panel Recommends Comprehensive Security Assessment of Indian Missions

A parliamentary panel has advised the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to conduct a comprehensive security assessment of all Indian missions and posts abroad. 

• The recommendations are part of the ‘Fourth Report of the Committee on External Affairs (2024-25) on Demands for Grants (2024-25) of the Ministry of External Affairs’.
• The recommendation takes into account geopolitical risks, potential threats, and vulnerabilities in host countries.

Key Recommendations of the Parliamentary Panel

• Security of Indian Missions: The committee stressed that the safety of personnel, protection of sensitive information, and continuity of diplomatic functions are paramount.
  • The report highlighted recent security concerns in regions such as West Asia, Bangladesh, and Canada, where anti-India activities have been flagged.
• Expansion of Indian Missions: The panel recommended accelerating efforts to establish new missions, especially in countries with significant economic, strategic, or diaspora interests.
  • The report noted that India lacks resident missions in 42 countries.
• Financial Stability for Diplomatic Engagements: The committee emphasized that India’s growing global stature requires consistent and predictable financial investments in diplomacy, economy, and culture.
  • The MEA was advised to protect key diplomatic areas from budgetary cuts and be prepared for unforeseen financial shortfalls through supplementary grants.
• Enhancing Passport Services: The panel acknowledged MEA’s significant strides in improving passport services through the Passport Seva Programme.
• Progress on Nalanda University’s Revival: The committee reviewed the progress of Nalanda University’s new campus in Rajgir, Biha.
  • The university, conceived as a collaborative project with East Asia Summit (EAS) nations, aims to revive Nalanda’s ancient academic and spiritual legacy.

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Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is a Department-Related Standing Committee (DRSC) of the Indian Parliament. 
• It is responsible for providing legislative oversight on India’s foreign policy and the decision-making process of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Role and Function: The committee is one of 24 DRSCs tasked with ministry-specific oversight.
  • It examines and evaluates MEA’s policies, budget allocations, and international engagements.
  • It also reviews India’s diplomatic strategies, security concerns, and global partnerships.
• Currently, the committee is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and consists of 31 members

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Department-Related Standing Committee (DRSC)

• The Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) are permanent parliamentary committees that oversee the functioning of various ministries and departments of the Government of India. 
• The DRSC system was introduced in 1993 to improve parliamentary oversight over executive decisions.
• 17 DRSCs were established in Parliament in 1993 on the proposal of the Lok Sabha Rules Committee.
• Seven more similar committees were established in 2004 and their numbers were thus increased from 17 to 24.
• Composition and Tenure: Each committee consists of 31 members
  • 21 from Lok Sabha 
  • 10 from Rajya Sabha 
  • Members are nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

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