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Ministry

Ministry of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs is the Government of India's department for the conduct of foreign relations — diplomacy, treaties, the diaspora, and representation abroad. It runs India's embassies and high commissions and is the lead agency for the country's borders diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and consular services.

Updated

Formed
1948
Headquarters
South Block, New Delhi
Diplomatic missions
~200 worldwide
Cadre
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

Role

The MEA formulates and executes India’s foreign policy. It is headed politically by the Minister of External Affairs and administratively by the Foreign Secretary, and staffed by the Indian Foreign Service. Its territorial and functional divisions mirror India’s diplomatic priorities — from neighbourhood relations to the multilateral and economic-diplomacy desks.

Desk maintained by IndiaStand editorial cycles.

Timeline since 1947

  1. reference

    Indian Foreign Service established

    The diplomatic cadre that staffs the ministry was created on 9 October 1946.

  2. reference

    Ministry of External Affairs constituted

    Formed shortly after independence, initially handling both external affairs and Commonwealth relations.

Frequently asked

What is Ministry of External Affairs?
The Ministry of External Affairs is the Government of India's department for the conduct of foreign relations — diplomacy, treaties, the diaspora, and representation abroad. It runs India's embassies and high commissions and is the lead agency for the country's borders diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and consular services.
When was Ministry of External Affairs established?
Ministry of External Affairs was established 1948.
What does Ministry of External Affairs do?
Its remit covers Bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, Treaties and international agreements, Passports, visas and consular services, Diaspora and overseas Indians, Development partnership and foreign aid.
What is the latest on Ministry of External Affairs?
As of 2026-07-02: Ministry of External Affairs constituted. Formed shortly after independence, initially handling both external affairs and Commonwealth relations.

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