Indian's increasing engagement with the international community has resulted in a large number of exchange of VVIP/VIP visits. This trend has amplified considerably in the past few years. 114 incoming visits took place in 2006-There were 13 State Visits, 17 Official/Working Visits and 30 Private/ Transit Visits by Foreign Head of State/Government/Vice President and Equivalent Level and 42 Official Visits by Foreign Minister and Equivalent Level. There were 10 Visits Abroad of President(2)/Vice President(2) Prime Minister of India(6). A similar trend has emerged in terms of increase in the number of Foreign Resident Diplomatic Missions in Delhi whose number had gone up 130 in 2006. There were 126 foreign Diplomatic missions, 30 offices of International organizations and other agencies, 69 Consular, Trade and Information offices and 122 Honorary Consulates. Correspondingly 3514 personnel of the Ministry of External Affairs carried India’s diplomatic presence abroad with 90 embassies, 37 High commissions, 67 Consulates and 7 other missions. During this period, India concluded or renewed 16 multilateral and 120 bilateral treaties/conventions/agreements with other countries. And as member of hundreds of international organisations India had to attend a number of international conferences every year. |
