MEA organises Videsh Sampark Programme in collaboration with Rajasthan govt

New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs organised its Videsh Sampark Programme in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan on Thursday as part of its outreach initiative with the States and Union Territories to strengthen cooperative federalism.
According to the MEA, the Programme was co-chaired by Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA), MEA, and V Srinivas, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, in Jaipur. Senior officials from the ministry and the Government of Rajasthan, the Regional Passport Officer, Jaipur, business leaders, recruiting agents, and stakeholders from the education sector also participated in the event.
Reflecting on the details of the programme, the MEA stated that it featured comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues, including diaspora engagement and welfare initiatives of both the MEA and the Government of Rajasthan, with particular emphasis on the welfare of Indian nationals abroad, including students.
Deliberations also covered the Ministry's initiatives relating to consular, passport, and visa services; collaborative efforts to promote safe and legal migration and mobility; and opportunities to enhance business, investment, employment, and international engagement for the State.
The interactive sessions provided a valuable platform for the MEA and the Government of Rajasthan to strengthen institutional coordination and cooperation.
The MEA further highlighted that the participants exchanged best practices, explored measures to streamline procedures, enhance synergies, and identify areas where mutual support and assistance could facilitate the effective implementation of diaspora-related schemes and initiatives at both the Central and State levels.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reflected on the key discussions of the event on X and wrote, "Secretary (CPV & OIA), Smt. Sripriya Ranganathan, and Rajasthan Chief Secretary, Shri V. Srinivas, co-chaired the Videsh Sampark Programme in Jaipur today. The discussions focussed upon strengthening coordination between MEA and the State Government of Rajasthan in the spirit of cooperative federalism to foster diaspora engagement, support to Indian students abroad, promote safe and ethical migration and to promote trade and investment ties."
https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2077723323853664570
The Videsh Sampark Programme was launched by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2017 to foster closer engagement with State Governments on issues relating to the Indian diaspora, consular services, and international cooperation.
Since its inception, the Programme has been organised in collaboration with the Governments of Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tripura, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh. Ministry remains committed to expanding this outreach and will continue to engage with other States and Union Territories through the Videsh Sampark Programme in the years ahead. (ANI)