A 45-member delegation of diplomats from 21 nations across Central and South America and the Caribbean visited Lucknow to explore investment opportunities and experience Uttar Pradesh’s vibrant culture.
The visit is part of their training program under the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
The delegation was accompanied by Anita Shukla, Joint Secretary (MEA), and Dr. Ritika Sharma, Faculty (SSIFS), with coordination by Invest UP. The three-day visit, from October 31 to November 2, aims to showcase the State’s industrial growth, educational excellence, and cultural richness.
On Friday, the diplomats visited the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, where they interacted with faculty and students to learn about academic innovations, leadership development, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Discussions also focused on student exchange programs and the integration of emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence into academic curricula. The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Sanjay K. Singh, Dean (Programmes), and Prof. Madhumita Chakraborty, Chairperson (MDP), who presented mementos to the delegates.
The diplomats later visited Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), where they explored potential collaborations in technical education and research. Vice-Chancellor Prof. J.P. Pandey and Registrar Reena Singh apprised the delegation of the university’s cutting-edge initiatives in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Nanotechnology, reflecting Uttar Pradesh’s growing ecosystem of innovation and industry-academia partnerships.
The itinerary also included a visit to HCL IT City, where the delegation witnessed the State’s expanding digital and IT ecosystem employing over 11,000 professionals. They explored opportunities for cooperation in technology and digital innovation, gaining insights into the technical expertise driving the industry.
Beyond business and academic engagements, the diplomats experienced Uttar Pradesh’s cultural grandeur through a Kathak dance performance and a traditional Awadhi culinary showcase, celebrating the State’s artistic and gastronomic heritage at a city hotel.
Invest UP, the state’s investment promotion and facilitation agency, coordinated and facilitated the visit. This is one of the first-of-its-kind visits by trainee foreign diplomats to Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step toward fostering international collaboration, enhancing global partnerships, and attracting foreign investment to the State.