The External Affairs Ministry has asked Finance Ministry to issue directives to banks to allow Embassy officials to withdraw money on a priority basis. <br/><br/>The move came in the wake of difficulties faced by foreign missions based in Delhi in withdrawing money from banks following demonetisation.<br/><br/>External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters in New Delhi that the Foreign Secretary has met the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps today and discussed the issues raised by foreign Missions and how to best address them. <br/><br/>Mr Swarup said, India believes the Missions understand that the demonetization exercise is being conducted to combat the menace of black money and tax avoidance. <br/><br/>He expressed confidence that the Missions would bear with the temporary difficulties that arise in that process, even as New Delhi seeks to address their concerns.