New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s international communication architecture, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed the creation of a new global outreach unit within Press Information Bureau (PIB), including 40 cadre posts for Indian Information Service officers in Indian missions abroad to exclusively manage media and communications.
The proposal, currently under review, forms part of a larger cadre restructuring exercise of the Indian Information Service (IIS) and has been formally sent to Ministry of External Affairs for consideration. If approved, it would mark one of the most substantial structural expansions of India’s government communication network overseas in recent years.
Dedicated IIS Officers Proposed in Foreign Missions
According to sources, the proposal seeks to create 40 IIS cadre posts across Indian embassies and missions abroad, where officers would directly engage with foreign media, communicate India’s development narrative, and respond to misinformation affecting India’s image internationally.
The officers are expected to focus on presenting India’s position on issues related to economy, trade, tourism, culture, infrastructure, and heritage, reflecting the country’s expanding global role.
At present, media responsibilities in many Indian missions—particularly in smaller and mid-sized embassies across developing countries—are handled by diplomatic officers, usually at the rank of First Secretary or Second Secretary, as an additional assignment rather than a specialised role.
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Proposal Driven by Need to Counter Misinformation
Sources said the idea has gained urgency amid growing concerns over misinformation and hostile narratives in international media ecosystems.
Officials indicated that recent experiences, including developments after Operation Sindoor, reinforced the need for a more direct and institutional communication mechanism abroad.
According to sources, the government believes that in an era of rapid misinformation, India requires a dedicated system to communicate its own perspective directly to global audiences rather than relying solely on conventional diplomatic channels.
They added that rising international attention on India’s economic growth, trade agreements, and geopolitical positioning has made coordinated communication increasingly important.
No Overlap with Foreign Policy or Security Matters
Sources clarified that the proposed new communication structure will not deal with foreign policy, defence, or national security matters.
Those subjects will remain under the jurisdiction of the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, which currently manages engagement with foreign journalists in New Delhi and official external communication on diplomatic matters.
The new IIS-led mechanism is intended purely for structured media engagement and public communication around developmental and thematic issues.
PIB’s Proposed New Division to Be Led by Director General-Level Officer
The new global outreach unit within PIB is proposed to be headed by a Director General-level officer.
Its primary function would be to disseminate information from multiple central ministries to foreign journalists based in New Delhi and support overseas media communication through structured content distribution.
Sources said the exact size of the domestic coordinating team is still under discussion, and its eventual functioning may either be in coordination with MEA’s External Publicity Division or as an information support mechanism for that division.
Part of Wider Communication Restructuring Under Central Media & Communication Board
The proposed global outreach division is linked to the broader restructuring initiated last year under a newly created Central Media & Communication Board.
This Board will include senior leadership from major government communication institutions such as:
• Press Information Bureau
• Central Bureau of Communication
• Press Registrar General of India
• All India Radio
• Doordarshan
The official leading the new international media division would be part of this larger communication framework.
India’s Rising Global Profile Behind New Communication Push
Officials said India’s expanding economic and strategic role has generated new global curiosity about developments inside the country.
They noted that foreign media interest increasingly extends beyond diplomacy into sectors such as trade, investment, culture, heritage, and tourism.
One example cited by sources was strong Southeast Asian media interest during the recent exhibition of Piprahwa gems in New Delhi, demonstrating how cultural events are attracting international coverage.
This, according to officials, underlines the need for dedicated professional communication channels to manage such attention effectively.
Model Inspired by Foreign Embassies Operating in New Delhi
The proposal also draws inspiration from many foreign embassies in New Delhi, where specialised media officers are already posted to manage public communication and media relations.
Government officials believe Indian missions abroad similarly require trained communication specialists instead of relying only on diplomatic officers performing multiple roles simultaneously.
Doordarshan Also Planning Global Correspondent Network
Separately, sources said Doordarshan is planning to appoint correspondents in major world capitals.
The objective is to establish credible India-backed reporting platforms globally, similar to international state-supported broadcasters such as France 24 and RT.
Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is also considering upgrading studio infrastructure in geopolitically significant regions and expanding overseas reporting teams.
MEA Yet to Respond, Proposal Under Review
Sources said the proposal is presently under examination by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Further discussions at the senior bureaucratic or ministerial level are expected once the MEA communicates its position.
If cleared, the move could significantly alter how India communicates internationally through its diplomatic missions.
