According to the Standing Committee of the Parliament, the budget estimated based on the previous year’s budget is Rs 20,516.61 crore, down 7.39% from the previous year’s budget estimate and 18.83% from the revised 2024-25 estimate. The committee, led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, stressed the need for a comprehensive foreign policy strategy that reflects India’s growing economic influence and global role.
The committee expressed concern that the MEA’s budget remains disproportionate despite India’s expansion of diplomatic and development responsibilities. India’s growing diplomatic influence, including its role in multilateral warfare, regional security and its role in addressing challenges such as climate change and global health, is inconsistent with current funding.
The panel also questioned whether the MEA has explored the development of the “Grand Strategy” that will provide a coherent and long-term diplomatic approach to foreign policy. It stressed the need for a foreign policy roadmap that is aligned with India’s growing global position and growing role on the world stage.
In its nearly 250-page report, the commission acknowledged the MEA’s efforts to assess foreign policy strategies in other countries, but stressed the importance of India’s illumination of future strategies. The panel concluded that India must not lag behind the development of a foreign policy that matches its expanded global role as its geopolitical influence continues to grow. On March 17, 2025, the “Request for the Fifth Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (2024-25) (2025-26)” was put forward in the parliament.
