{"id":11237,"date":"2025-08-02T16:25:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T10:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=11237"},"modified":"2025-08-05T12:31:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T07:01:07","slug":"ministry-of-external-affairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ministry-of-external-affairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Ministry of External Affairs, History, Functions and Responsibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ministry of External Affairs is a central government agency managing and conducting India\u2019s foreign relations and its diplomatic affairs. The Minister of External Affairs heads the Minister, who is also a cabinet member, and reports directly to the Prime Minister of India. The ministry plays an important role in formulating and implementing India\u2019s foreign policy, sharing the country\u2019s interest abroad and fostering friendly relations with other nations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ministry of External Affairs History\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

The Ministry of External Affairs history can be traced back to the British Colonial era. In 1783, the foreign department was set up to manage the diplomatic relations of the East India Company. Later after 1947, when India got independence, the Foreign Department was reshaped as the Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations. The organisation was renamed as the Ministry of External Affairs in 1948.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ministry of External Affairs Organisational Structure<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

The Minister of External Affairs is responsible for managing the Ministry of External Affairs. He is assisted by the Minister of State for External Affairs and Foreign Secretary. The foreign secretary manages the administration of Foreign Ministry and heads the Indian Foreign Service. The Foreign Ministry is subdivided into functional areas, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n