Par panel 'unhappy' over MEA projection of India as soft power

External Affairs Ministry is understood to have cited "turf war" with other ministries and "lack of funds" as hurdles in achieving the desired results during a meeting of a Parliamentary panel, which expressed its dissatisfaction over the ministry "doing little" in projecting India as a soft power.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on MEA had summoned Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to discuss the subject 'India's soft power diplomacy including role of Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR and Indian diaspora'. However, Jaishankar had excused himself due to a pressing appointment.
The Ministry was represented by Sujata Mehta, Secretary (Development Partnership Administration), Spokesperson Vikas Swarup and other senior ministry officials.

Sources said members pointed out that while MEA was spending more on administration, it was not investing much in actual projects. They said MEA was "doing little" on diplomatic front to project the country's image as a soft power.
When Karan Singh (now a member of the Parliamentary panel) was India's ambassador to Washington, he had proposed setting up a cultural centre there. "But it has not materialised yet," said a member.
The sources said the MEA also admitted to turf wars with other ministries like Culture and Tourism for its failure in projecting India's soft power abroad the way it could have.

The MEA on its part agreed on certain "flaws" such as turf war between various ministries and "lack of funds" in achieving the desired results, the sources said.

The panel now plans to summon officials from Culture and Tourism ministries to hear their stand on projecting India abroad.
Responding to a specific question on whether issues like intolerance were discussed as it has given New Delhi 'bad press' abroad, a member said though it is true that editorials abroad were critical of the government here, such "political messages" cannot be given to bureaucrats.
He said the message would be given to the government at some other fora.