New Delhi, Aug 24 - Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Monday asked 112 Indian ambassadors to 'introspect on the art of diplomacy' and adapt diplomatic tools to address emerging global challenges with 'future-oriented strategies.'

Welcoming Indian heads of missions to a three-day conference here to debate key foreign policy and strategic challenges facing the country, Rao underlined the need to revamp and upgrade the foreign office in the context of an emerging international order.

Rao focused on key organisational issues like training, capacity building, greater use of technology, inter-agency cooperation, security, media relations, effective communications, the Indian diaspora and consular matters.

Outlining the challenges confronting Indian diplomats, Rao said that the context in which they work today was defined not only by the external dimensions of India's foreign policy but the country's domestic needs and aspirations.