IIM Kozhikode breaks silence over training Taliban Diplomats via crash course

In the past few days, various media houses reported the development and the Taliban leadership confirmed that their officials will be participating in an online crash course on "immersing with Indian thoughts” rendered by IIM Kozhikode in association with the Ministry of External Affairs.

With the rising hustle around the Indian Institute of Management (IIM Kozhikode) training of Taliban diplomats, the business school has finally broken the silence and issued a long statement. In the past few days, various media houses reported the development and the Taliban leadership confirmed that their officials will be participating in an online crash course on "immersing with Indian thoughts” rendered by IIM Kozhikode in association with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Taliban delegates were among the members from various countries who took part in the online course on March 14.

The b-school has no role in the selection of participants

Talking about the selection of the participants, IIM Kozhikode stated that the participants/countries for the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme are selected by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the institute has no role whatsoever in selection of these candidates nor the knowledge of their political affiliations.

While the statement does not refer to Taliban diplomats being trained through the courses, the institute in its statement said, "IIM Kozhikode has no role whatsoever in selection of these candidates nor the knowledge of their political affiliations. The e-ITEC programme “Immersing With Indian Thoughts, An India Immersion Program For Cross Sectoral Foreign Delegates” is the latest ITEC programme which is being conducted online by this Institute from 14 -17 March, 2023, under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs, with participants selected by the Ministry. Day 1 of the programme on March 14 witnessed online participation from 20 participants from three countries – Afghanistan (18), Thailand (1) and Maldives (1) who joined virtually from their respective countries.”

The Institute conducts many national and international training programmes

The IIM Kozhikode also said, "As a leading global school for thought leadership, the Institute conducts many national and international training programmes in the area of leadership and management education. This also includes conducting training programmes for delegates/participants from public/private sector from foreign countries, under the aegis of ‘Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)’ programme of the Ministry of External Affairs’ (GoI).

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