New Delhi, Jun 11 (KNN) Neeraj Kedia, Banking Committee Chairman and former President of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), has commended Indian diplomatic missions abroad for their enhanced cooperation and accessibility to Indian citizens overseas.
In an exclusive interview with Knowledge and News Network (KNN India), Kedia shared his positive experiences with multiple Indian embassies during recent business engagements.
During his interaction with the Indian Embassy in Colombia, where he sought information about business opportunities, economic conditions, key sectors, and market payment scenarios, Kedia noted the ambassador’s willingness to accommodate his request on short notice.
The meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, provided comprehensive responses to all his business-related queries.
Kedia’s experience with the Indian mission in Peru further highlighted the diplomatic staff’s commitment to citizen assistance. When the ambassador was unavailable due to travel to India, the first officer stepped in to provide guidance.
During this period, he faced a visa-related issue while planning a trip to Bolivia, having mistakenly applied for a tourist visa instead of a business visa. The embassy provided prompt assistance and guidance, ensuring a safe and hassle-free resolution.
The effectiveness of embassy support was particularly evident during Kedia’s visit to China for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
When he encountered difficulties with an uncooperative and threatening travel agent in the foreign country, Kedia contacted the Indian embassy via email.
Within three hours, embassy officials had contacted the travel agent, resulting in a marked improvement in the agent’s cooperation and service quality.
According to both Kedia and Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General, FISME, this enhanced responsiveness represents a significant transformation in diplomatic services since the current government took office.
Bhardwaj highlighted the contrast with earlier experiences, recalling the challenges faced by Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in previous decades.
Bhardwaj described the difficulties of the early 1990s when conducting business with the United States. During that period, he would send emails to Indian embassies requesting verification of American businesses using DUNS numbers to assess their legitimacy and creditworthiness.
However, the response rate was extremely poor, with embassies typically responding to only one out of every ten inquiries, forcing exporters to proceed with the remaining nine business relationships despite the risk of payment defaults.
The testimonials from these business leaders suggest a marked improvement in the Indian diplomatic corps’ engagement with citizens abroad, particularly in facilitating business activities and providing timely assistance during emergencies.
(KNN/BS)
