RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1366
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020
INDIA’S DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
1366. SHRI PRASANNA ACHARYA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the countries with whom India does not have diplomatic relations and its reasons; and
(b) how many diplomatic offices are operating in different countries and the number of sanctioned posts including the vacancy position as of now?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) India has diplomatic relations with all UN recognized member states.
(b) There are 197 Missions/Posts and 3 Representative offices of India in different countries. The sanctioned Cadre strength of the Indian Foreign Service is 978 against which there are 815 Cadre officers and 49 officers on deputation. The Ministry has placed
an indent of 48 with DoPT and UPSC for Civil Services Examinations 2019 and 2020. Vacancies are regularly reviewed and officers appointed. Generally, gaps between the departure of incumbents and the arrival of their successors are kept to a minimum. However,
as the posting chains often involve several officers, on some occasions, Missions/Posts abroad face some short-term vacancies. The COVID-19 situation has also led to temporary delays in the movement of personnel. It is not possible to determine the exact number
of vacancies since this is a continuous process with some officers demitting charge and others assuming charge in some of our 197 Missions/Posts abroad.
Recently on account of the global pandemic of COVID-19, various countries including India enforced strict lock-downs and restrictions on movement. This has severely impacted movement of officials to allotted stations of posting in a timely manner. Vacancies
arising on account of delayed movements are temporary in nature, and all efforts are being made by the Ministry to facilitate the movement of its officers through Vande Bharat Mission flights or under air-bubble agreements with partner countries.
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