New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- States have become pro-active stakeholders in India's economic diplomacy. The economic reforms of 1991, growing importance and stature of certain regional leaders as well as growing attention of the outside world towards India's state capitals are some of the key factors for the same. Initially, a few states had taken the lead in state intervention in foreign policy - referred to as para-diplomacy. Several policies introduced by the central government to encourage state participation in India's economic outreach have resulted in more states emerging as pro-active stakeholders.

Maharashtra's role in Para-Diplomacy

Maharashtra is one of the front runners in para-diplomacy for several reasons: it's geographical locati...