The Union government, led by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs, plays a central role in the formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy. This includes:

Formulation of Foreign Policy:

• The Prime Minister, in consultation with the Cabinet Committee on Security, sets the broad strategic direction and priorities for India’s foreign relations.
• The Ministry of External Affairs, headed by the Minister of External Affairs, is the nodal agency responsible for advising the government on foreign policy matters and coordinating the implementation of foreign policy.
• The Foreign Secretary, as the top civil servant in the MEA, acts as the principal adviser to the government on foreign policy issues.
• Various other ministries and government agencies, such as the Ministries of Defense, Commerce, Finance, etc. also provide inputs that shape India’s foreign policy based on their respective domains.

Negotiation of International Treaties:

• The Union government, through the MEA, is responsible for negotiating and signing bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements with other countries and international organizations.
• The Prime Minister and the Minister of External Affairs lead high-level diplomatic negotiations for major treaties and agreements.
• The legal and technical aspects of treaty negotiations are handled by the MEA’s treaty division in coordination with other relevant ministries.

Representation in Multilateral Organizations:

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other multilateral bodies is appointed by the Union government and reports to the MEA.
• India’s positions and interventions in multilateral forums like the UN, G20, WTO, etc. are formulated by the MEA in consultation with other ministries and agencies.
• The Union government also nominates Indian nationals to leadership positions in various UN-specialized agencies and other international organizations.

Overall, the Union government, through the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, plays a central coordinating role in the formulation, implementation, and representation of India’s foreign policy interests globally. This allows for a coherent and consistent approach to India’s engagement with the world.