Panel urges larger budget for India's Ministry of External Affairs

A parliamentary panel has recommended a significant budget increase for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to better support the country's expanding foreign policy needs. The current budget for 2025-26 is Rs 20,516.61 crore, a 7.39% decrease from last year. The committee, led by Shashi Tharoor, highlighted the inadequacy of the current budget amid India's growing diplomatic responsibilities. It called for a comprehensive foreign policy strategy that reflects India's increasing global influence and addresses challenges like climate change. In its report, the panel noted the importance of India developing a coherent long-term foreign policy. It emphasized that India's geopolitical stature requires a strategy that aligns with its evolving role on the world stage.