Friends of MY Bharat — Global Youth Connect Initiative, 2026

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PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

Friends of MY Bharat — Global Youth Connect Initiative, 2026

Context:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced “Friends of MY Bharat” as a dedicated global youth-connect module under MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat). It was announced by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on 19 August 2026 during the BRICS Youth Summit in Gandhinagar. The initiative seeks to connect Indian-origin youth living abroad with India’s development journey.

Background:
MY Bharat is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports designed to promote youth participation, volunteering, experiential learning and skill development. Friends of MY Bharat extends this engagement to the global Indian youth community.

Salient Features: The digital module allows Indian-origin students, young professionals and other youth abroad to access nation-building activities, volunteering opportunities, youth programmes and leadership initiatives hosted on the MY Bharat platform. It also provides avenues to join or create diaspora youth clubs, participate in global initiatives and engage in leadership dialogues.

India’s Approach and Significance: India sees its overseas youth community as an important source of ideas, skills, networks and soft power. The initiative seeks to channel these resources towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, while strengthening cultural links and youth diplomacy.

Current Status: The Friends of MY Bharat digital platform is operational, with facilities for registration, volunteering, youth-club networking and participation in India-focused initiatives. It represents an emerging institutional mechanism for sustained engagement between India and younger generations of its global diaspora.

Analytical Questions

1. Question: Why does India need a separate platform to engage young members of the Indian diaspora?

Answer: Younger diaspora members may not have the same emotional connection with India as earlier generations. A structured platform can keep them engaged through projects, volunteering and dialogue. This can build long-term cultural links. It can also convert goodwill into skills, ideas, investment and support for India’s development goals.

2. Question: How can Friends of MY Bharat strengthen India’s soft power?

Answer: Soft power grows when people abroad understand and trust a country. Young participants can experience India through culture, technology, social work and public programmes. They may later become informal bridges between India and their own societies. The key is to create genuine engagement, not just symbolic events.

3. Question: What practical challenges could reduce the impact of this initiative?

Answer: The biggest risk is low-quality participation. A digital platform alone is not enough. Opportunities must be meaningful, well managed and regularly updated. There should also be clear follow-up after volunteering or mentorship. Language, time zones, data privacy and coordination with Indian missions abroad may also create practical difficulties.

4. Question: How can the government ensure that this programme contributes to Viksit Bharat @2047?

Answer: Activities should be linked to real national needs. Young participants can contribute in areas such as innovation, climate action, education, public health and digital skills. The government should track outcomes, not just registrations. Successful ideas should be connected with ministries, start-ups, universities and local development projects in India.

5. Question: Should Friends of MY Bharat also include non-Indian foreign youth? What could be the advantage?

Answer: Yes, wider participation can increase its diplomatic value. Foreign youth can learn about India directly and work with Indian peers on common issues. This can reduce stereotypes and create long-term networks. However, the programme should maintain a clear purpose and ensure that activities remain useful, credible and professionally managed.