External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed his happiness over the 22% per cent growth in the budget for his ministry and said that it will help the MEA focus on its neighbourhood, support Global South and give impetus to other key policies.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been allocated a significant budget of Rs 22,154 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the Union Budget, a notable increase from last year’s outlay of Rs 18,050 crore.

Speaking to ANI news agency, Jaishankar said, “As Foreign Minister, we are very happy we’ve got a 22% growth in the budget of the Ministry of External Affairs. It will allow us to focus on our neighbourhood. It will allow us to support and work with the Global South. It will help us to facilitate and service and support Indians going abroad. Our passport services will definitely improve in many ways. As a result of all of this, the country will be more secure because our own neighbourhood will be much more friendly as a result of all that we do.”

He said given the difficult time in the global situation, this is a very good budget which will sustain India’s growth in a very complicated environment.

“Naturally, I’m pleased with the budget. Our country should appreciate that at this very difficult time in the global situation, this is a very good budget which will sustain India’s growth at a very complicated environment. It will allow Indian diplomacy to serve the country. I think that’s the reason why it should be applauded,” added the minister.

The budget allocation for the MEA is meticulously divided across various sectors, including aid to foreign nations, establishment expenses, and funding for autonomous bodies and international institutions.

A considerable portion of the budget, amounting to Rs 5,667.56 crore, is earmarked for central programs and schemes aimed at providing assistance to other nations, particularly those in need of humanitarian aid. This allocation also supports international training schemes funded by India through both multilateral and bilateral assistance programs.

With inputs from agencies

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22% growth in budget will help MEA focus on neighbourhood, Global South, says Jaishankar