January 22, 2026

Weekly Briefings, Passport Services & Diplomatic Updates

🔴 Watch Live: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

The Live Stream Hub

Access the official broadcasts of India's Foreign Ministry, including the Weekly Media Briefing and Joint Press Statements.

[PLACEHOLDER FOR YOUTUBE EMBED - MEA INDIA OFFICIAL]

🔴 LIVE STATUS: Event-BasedThe Flagship Event: Weekly Media Briefing (Usually Thursdays at 4:00 PM IST).Key Venues: Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (JNB) & Hyderabad House.Key Personality: The Official Spokesperson (JS-XP) & External Affairs Minister (EAM).Why Watch: For the official Indian stance on border disputes, visa issues, and global conflicts.

Introduction: The Shield and The Sword

(Why the MEA is India's Frontline)

In the 21st century, diplomacy is no longer just about cocktails in Geneva; it is about "Strategic Autonomy." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the agency tasked with navigating India through the stormy waters of global geopolitics.

Headquartered in the majestic South Block (with key offices in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan), the MEA manages India's relations with nearly 200 countries. It protects the interests of the 32 million-strong Indian Diaspora—the largest in the world.

For the modern viewer, the MEA channel has become "Must-Watch TV." Why? Because of the "Jaishankar Effect." The current External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has transformed foreign policy discussions from dry academic debates into viral moments of national pride. Whether it is defending India's oil purchases or articulating the "Global South" perspective, the MEA's podium is where the narrative is set.

This guide is your window to the world. We will decode the famous Thursday Briefing, explain how the MEA executes massive rescue operations (like Operation Kaveri), and provide a practical manual for the most common interaction citizens have with this ministry: Getting a Passport.

📅 The Thursday Ritual: The Weekly Media Briefing

If you watch only one thing from the MEA, make it this.

  • The Time: Every Thursday afternoon (timings vary, usually 4 PM).
  • The Host: The Official Spokesperson (Joint Secretary, External Publicity Division).
  • The Format:
    1. Opening Statement: Announcements of upcoming visits by the PM or President, and incoming foreign dignitaries.
    2. Q&A Session: This is the fireworks section. Journalists from global agencies (Reuters, AP, BBC) and Indian media grill the Spokesperson.
  • Why it matters:
    • If there is a skirmish on the LAC (Line of Actual Control), the official casualty count or stance comes here.
    • If Indian students are stuck in a war zone, the helpline numbers are announced here.
    • If a foreign leader makes a controversial remark about India, the "Strong Rebuttal" is delivered here.
  • Viewer Tip: Watch the body language. The Spokesperson's job is to say a lot without giving away anything. The phrase "We have noted the reports" usually means "We are unhappy but won't say it loudly," while "This is an internal matter" is a diplomatic warning to back off.

🛂 Passport Seva: A Citizen's Guide

For 99% of Indians, the MEA is the Passport Office. The Passport Seva Project (PSP) is one of the most successful e-Governance initiatives in India.

The Ecosystem

  • RPO (Regional Passport Office): The administrative head in your state.
  • PSK (Passport Seva Kendra): The TCS-managed centers where you go for biometrics and document verification.
  • POPSK (Post Office PSK): Smaller centers opened in Head Post Offices to reach rural India.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Faster Passport

  1. Apply Online: Never go to an agent. Log in to passportindia.gov.in.
  2. The "Tatkaal" Trick: If you have an Aadhaar, PAN Card, and Voter ID, you can apply under the Tatkaal Scheme. You can get your passport in 1-3 days before police verification (verification happens post-issuance).
  3. The Appointment: Arrive 15 minutes early. The process inside the PSK is divided into three counters:
    • Counter A (TCS): Photo and Fingerprints.
    • Counter B (Govt Official): Document verification.
    • Counter C (Granting Officer): Final approval.
  4. Police Verification: The bottleneck. Download the mPassport Police App to track the status. Be polite and have your address proof (electricity bill/rent agreement) ready.

🆘 Crisis Managers: The "Operation" Legacy

The MEA has earned a reputation as one of the world's most agile crisis response units. When Indians are in trouble abroad, the MEA launches an "Operation."

Notable Operations (Know Your History):

  • Operation Ganga (2022): Evacuation of 20,000+ students from Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
  • Operation Kaveri (2023): Rescue of Indians from the civil war in Sudan.
  • Operation Ajay (2023): Repatriation of citizens from Israel.
  • Vande Bharat Mission (2020-21): The world's largest civilian evacuation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How it works:
The MEA sets up a 24x7 Control Room in Jawahar Bhawan. They coordinate with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy. The "Helplines" flash on the live stream ticker.

🏛️ Key Institutions & Venues

Diplomacy has its own geography in New Delhi.

1. Hyderabad House

  • What is it? A former palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad, near India Gate.
  • Use: This is the premier venue for hosting visiting Heads of State. If the US President or French President is in town, the "Bilateral Talks" and the "State Lunch" happen here.
  • The Visual: Watch for the "Handshake Photo-Op" on the steps of Hyderabad House.

2. Sushma Swaraj Bhawan

  • What is it? A massive new complex in Chanakyapuri.
  • Use: It houses many diplomatic divisions and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) where new IFS officers are trained. Named after the late EAM Sushma Swaraj, who revolutionized "Twitter Diplomacy."

3. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

  • What is it? The "Soft Power" arm.
  • Role: They send Indian classical dancers, yoga teachers, and musicians abroad to promote Indian culture. They also offer scholarships to foreign students to study in India.

🦁 The Indian Foreign Service (IFS): The Steel Frame Abroad

While the IAS runs the districts, the IFS runs the world.

  • Selection: Through the same UPSC Civil Services Exam.
  • The Elite: It is a tiny cadre (only 30-35 officers selected per year), making it more exclusive than the IAS.
  • The Career Path:
    • Third Secretary: Language Trainee (Learning Arabic, Mandarin, French, etc.).
    • Consul General: Head of a mission in a major city (e.g., CG New York).
    • Ambassador / High Commissioner: The Head of Mission (Country Head).
    • Foreign Secretary: The top boss (Bureaucratic Head of MEA).
  • Note: In Commonwealth countries (like UK, Canada, Australia), the Ambassador is called a "High Commissioner." In others (USA, China, Russia), they are called "Ambassador."

🌐 Digital Diplomacy: MADAD & Twitter

The MEA has moved beyond files and faxes.

1. MADAD Portal

  • Purpose: A consular grievance monitoring system.
  • Use Case: If an Indian worker is imprisoned in the Gulf, or a student loses their passport in London, they file a complaint on MADAD. The local embassy must respond within a deadline.

2. Twitter Seva

  • Legacy: Started by Sushma Swaraj.
  • Impact: Tagging the EAM or the local embassy handle (@IndiainUSA, @IndiainDubai) often gets a faster response than email. The MEA handles are among the most responsive in the world.

For the global Indian and the traveler:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the difference between an Embassy and a Consulate?

  • Embassy: Located in the Capital City (e.g., Washington DC). It handles political relations and major treaties. There is only one Embassy per country.
  • Consulate: Located in major economic cities (e.g., New York, San Francisco, Houston). It handles citizens' issues like visas, passports, and trade. There can be multiple Consulates.

Q2. Do I need a visa to visit Nepal or Bhutan?

No. Indian citizens can travel to Nepal and Bhutan without a visa.

  • Nepal: Voter ID or Passport required.
  • Bhutan: Permit required (at entry), Voter ID or Passport needed.

Q3. What is the "Orange" Passport?

A proposal that was shelved. Currently, India issues:

  • Dark Blue: Ordinary Citizens (Type P).
  • White: Government Officials on official business (Type S).
  • Maroon: Diplomats and top ranking officials (Type D).
  • ECR Check: If you haven't passed Class 10, your passport has an "Emigration Check Required" stamp to protect you from labor exploitation abroad.

Q4. How can I join the MEA without UPSC?

The MEA has started hiring Consultants and Subject Matter Experts for its "Policy Planning & Research Division." If you have a PhD in International Relations or expertise in a specific region (like Indo-Pacific studies), you can apply for these contract-based lateral entry roles.

Q5. What is the "Raisina Dialogue"?

It is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics (similar to the Shangri-La Dialogue).

  • Venue: New Delhi.
  • Attendees: Foreign Ministers, Army Chiefs, and Think-Tank heads from around the world.
  • Why Watch: To see the global strategic community descend on Delhi to discuss the future of the world order.

Stay connected with Sansad Online. From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the maritime boundaries of the Indian Ocean, we bring you the updates that define India's place in the world.