New Delhi [India], March 17 (ANI): The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday presented its Twelfth Report on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha, offering 62 recommendations across eight chapters.
The panel strongly reiterated its demand for a 20 percent increase in the MEA’s budget, noting that the current allocation of ₹22,118.97 crore reflects only a 7.81 percent rise from the previous year and accounts for just 0.41 percent of the Union Budget—significantly lower than comparable global standards.
“The Committee noted that MEA currently ranks 23rd among all Ministries in terms of budgetary allocation. Pursuant to the Committee’s earlier recommendation, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) has prepared a report titled ‘Analysis of Trends of MEA Budgetary Allocation,’ examining MEA funding through inter-ministerial and cross-country comparisons,” the report stated.
The panel also called on the MEA to draft a formal Indian Foreign Policy Document through its Policy Planning and Research Division. This document, it said, should be publicly available and clearly outline India’s foreign policy objectives, global and regional priorities, key bilateral and multilateral engagements, and guiding principles.
The Committee noted that India currently lacks a single overarching foreign policy strategy document, unlike several countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Russia, which have published formal policy or national security strategies.
In addition, the Committee stressed the urgency of introducing the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, in Parliament. The proposed legislation aims to replace the decades-old Emigration Act, 1983 and enhance protections for Indian workers abroad.
Highlighting diaspora welfare, the panel recommended reviewing allocations and establishing a dedicated Department of Overseas Indian Affairs within the MEA to better support India’s approximately 32 million-strong global diaspora.
The Committee also emphasized safeguarding development assistance funds under the Scheme section of the budget, suggesting that unutilized funds be redirected toward other development initiatives instead of being surrendered.
Further recommendations included expanding the Protector of Emigrants network, completing the rollout of the mPassport Police App across all States and Union Territories, and filling vacancies within the Central Passport Organisation to improve service delivery.
Amid rising global security concerns, the panel called for a dedicated budget sub-head for Mission Security and immediate security audits of all Indian missions abroad. It also urged strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy by increasing funding for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to ₹500–600 crore and maintaining key cultural centres, including those in Washington, DC.
The report further highlighted the need to ensure the financial sustainability of Nalanda University and secure commitments from member countries of the East Asia Summit.
Overall, the report underscores the Committee’s focus on enhancing budgetary support, strengthening institutional capacity, advancing legislative reforms for emigrant welfare, and expanding India’s strategic and cultural engagement globally. (ANI)
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