Lucknow: A delegation of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers from the 2013-14 batch is currently on a visit to Uttar Pradesh to gain insights into the state’s key initiatives in trade, exports, tourism, and skill development. The visit, organised in coordination with Invest UP, aims to showcase the state’s policy strengths and project Uttar Pradesh as a top-tier destination for global investment, employment, and tourism.
As part of their itinerary, the IFS officers visited the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), where Principal Secretary Hari Om and other senior officials led an in-depth discussion on upgrading the state’s skill infrastructure. The focus was on aligning training standards with international benchmarks and enhancing global employment opportunities through flagship programmes such as ‘Special Project Praveen’ and rural skill-building initiatives.
In a separate session, the delegation met with officials from the State Tourism Department, where they were briefed on the state’s 12 mega tourism circuits, including the renowned Spiritual Triangle—Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj—and the globally significant Buddhist Circuit. These regions attract millions of domestic and international pilgrims annually. Discussions focused on forging collaborative efforts between Indian embassies abroad and the tourism department to increase Uttar Pradesh’s visibility as a cultural and spiritual destination for high-value foreign travelers.
Earlier, on May 21, the delegation reviewed the state’s flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and received a preview of the upcoming Export Policy 2025. They also held consultations with officials from the Information Technology and Electronics Department to understand Uttar Pradesh’s growing digital and tech infrastructure.
The visit is part of a broader strategy to familiarise Indian diplomats with successful state-level models of economic development, enabling them to promote India’s subnational strengths more effectively on the global stage.
