"Interest in Indian foreign policy commendable": EAM Jaishankar meets MP LEAD fellows
New Delhi, August 13
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met young participants of the MP LEAD Fellowship Programme and discussed India's foreign policy and key national priorities.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to meet talented young participants from different parts of India under the MP LEAD Fellowship Programme, organised by my parliamentary colleague @Drajeetgopchade."
He added, "Their interest and enthusiasm for Indian foreign policy is commendable."
Jaishankar said he spoke to the fellows about India's international partnerships, diaspora welfare, the Neighbourhood First policy, technology, Viksit Bharat (Developed India), and Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance).
"Spoke about our international partnerships, diaspora welfare, Neighbourhood First, technology, Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbharta," he added.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also met a group of MP LEAD Fellows on Thursday and held an interaction with them on India's foreign policy.
In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met a group of MP-LEADS Fellows today and held an engaging discussion with them on India's foreign policy. MP (RS) Dr. Shri Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade was present for the interaction."
The interactions come as part of the MP LEAD Fellowship, a two-month internship programme initiated by Rajya Sabha MP Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, which provides young people with exposure to governance, public policy and legislative processes.
The fellowship selected 40 participants from over 5,000 applicants, with 62 per cent of the fellows being women and participants representing diverse regions of the country, according to a July 2 press release issued by the Vice-President's Secretariat.
Interacting with the fellows at the Uprashtrapati Bhavan on July 2, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan urged young people to become ethical leaders committed to national service.
"Leadership is measured not by authority but by one's ability to serve society with humility, integrity and compassion," he said.
According to the official press release, emphasising India's civilisational unity, the Vice-President said, "Bharat was one, Bharat is one and Bharat will always remain one," while urging the fellows to rise above region, language and caste.
He also encouraged the participants to pursue excellence and contribute to nation-building, saying that the fellowship provides young people with an opportunity to move beyond classrooms, build confidence, and interact with national leaders.
"Who knows, one of you may also be holding the position of the Vice-President of India," Radhakrishnan remarked, encouraging the fellows to dream big and serve the nation with dedication.
The Vice-President further stressed the importance of constitutional values, citizens' duties, and the larger national interest, expressing confidence that the fellowship would help nurture future nation-builders contributing to a developed and self-reliant India.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see our foreign policy being discussed with the youth. The emphasis on Neighbourhood First and diaspora welfare is crucial. Truly commendable that 40 out of 5000 applicants got selected - this shows the competition was tough but the selection is merit-based.
Vishal Anand ji's comment about VP Radhakrishnan saying "Bharat was one, Bharat is one and Bharat will always remain one" really resonates. We need more such platforms to expose our youth to national and international affairs. Good work by MP Gopchade ji.
As an NRI, it makes me proud to see the emphasis on diaspora welfare. India's foreign policy under Jaishankar has really stepped up. The engagement with young people is a smart move - they are the future ambassadors of our nation.
While I appreciate the initiative, I wish such fellowships were more accessible to students from smaller towns and rural areas. The reach often remains limited to urban centres. Hope the selection process considers this aspect in future editions.
"Leadership is measured not by authority but by one's ability to serve society with humility, integrity and compassion" - powerful words from VP Radhakrishnan. This is exactly the kind of ethos our future leaders need. Kudos to the entire team behind MP LEAD!
M We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.