“There are no permanent friends or foes in diplomacy; there are only permanent interests”, said Henry Kissinger.
Power in the 21st century is no longer about subjugating other countries, it is more about controlling the action of others
A country’s international stature and power is built in its fields, factories, classrooms, laboratories and neighbourhoods. Not at the high tables of diplomacy, nor on television.
CHANAKYA
If you can’t manage the own hinterland, then you should forget about rest of the world
Soft Power in international relations
Ability to persuade others using to do something without using force or coercion
3 Pillars
Diplomacy
Culture
Values
Cultural diplomacy
Project Mausam
Strategic Angle – Vietnam, Chahbar, Oz, Malabar, Help upgrade Mozambique, Coastal Radar, Islands in Seychelles, Diego Garcia issue
Yoga Day
Religion
Modi Abe Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
Modi visiting Buddhist shrine in Kyoto, Vesaka celebration in Sri Lanka , Myanmar
World Sufi forum organised by govt in India in 2015
Tourism
Incredible India
Food
Cinema
Sports
Qatar – PSG
Values
Food diplomacy – Water to Maldives ; SAARC Food bank – In case of emergencies
Disaster – Nepal
Diplomacy
Maintains good relations with almost all countries, Mediation in Korean wars – Gujral Dctrine
UNPKF
Space Diplomacy
Energy Diplomacy
Economic is also seen as Hard Power . But the soft concessions, dams,s buildings can still be mentioned
Strategic autonomy rather than strategic neutrality
LEMOA
No India support to Russia over Crimea annexation
Original NAM’s a prominent weakness was highlighted when no country came to India’s help in the war of 1962
Why Nam Lost relevance ?
Blocks
USSR no longer superpower
With Greater infusion of globalization, countries are connected to each other with all the blocks
Newer countries like China emerged
Original philosophies
Anti colonialism, sovereignty no longer very relavant
Indian gradual embrace of west
Evolution of related but contemporary bodies
Trade, environment more relavant today
G77- Hence, most NAM countries today come under this
Exit of countries like Argentina
War between members Iran – Iraq
India – founder member – did not choose to send the PM in Venezuela
Dehyphenated foreign policies
Treating each country with its own merit rather than putting a block together – NOT DEFINITION
Legacy of NAM
Israel – Palestine, Iran-Saudi Aravia taxa US : India- Pak
3 types of international relations
G2G – Govt to Govt
B2B – Business to Business – Track 2
P2P – People to People – Track 3
US stands high on all 3, while Russia in 80s, 90s did very well in G2G, but very poor in the rest, With China- B2B is growing
Geopolitics in International Relations
– politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Middle East
Israeel – Arab
Shia Sunni
Sadi Qatar
South China Sea
China Japan
China Taiwan
Korean Peninsula
Pivot
Doklam region
India – China
Problems/ Solutions – The Indian Foreign Services
Understaffed
Currently around 800 IFS officers
Shiv Shankar Menon committe – Increase to 1200 by 2018
But, it is on a cold stage
Though 1200 is also too less for India
Runs in Lakhs for Japan, Singapore
Data required of other countries
Need for inter-ministerial deputations
As global issues become more complex involving environment, trade, commerce, terrorism
Currently, only 1or 2 IFS officers in different ministries
This may be made compulsory for a few years
Parliamentary Standing Committee : Intake of private experts / researchers via another competitive exam on a parallel, contract basis
Update – Approved for the policy planning purpose
An altogether different exam for IFS, different than the Civil Services, so that more specialists can come
More acceptance of private think tanks, academic reports
Kautilya
Says Diplomats are the eyes and ears of a country and hene must be persons with Highest knowledge of economics, history and law as well as hold loyalty and integrity to the nation
Make in India Defence Systems, Space Diplomacy, Soft Diplomacy, Asia Africa Growth Corridor, ITER and Cultural Diplomacy, Medical Tourism , International Solar Alliance ( ISA)
REFUGEE – Challenges for International Relations
Refugees- Who are forcibly dispaced from their homes & seek refuge elsewhere
According to Amnesty International, the world facing worst refugee crisis since the WW2
No of such refugees worldlwide > 2 crore
Risen lately
Main reason- Arab Crisis, Problems in Myanmar, Africa
The UN coordinating body – UNHCR
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Inequality involved
The developed nations are in a better position to assimilate and locate the refugees
Yet, around 90% of all refugees find shelter only in developing countries
Recent instances of boat drowning near Oz, Greece, immigrants forced to drink urine in boats
An international agreement required
New york declaration
No xenophobia
Human rights
Education
Sexual violence
Assistance to countries most affected
India and Refugees
Pro – Role in Ban- 1-2 crore refugees – Being a poor country ; Similarly Tibetan, Tamils from Sri Lanka; Open borders with Nepal, Bhutan ; Now Citizenship Amendment Bill
Con
India does not provide Right to Political Asylum as desired Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHRC)
Not a signatory to 1951 Refugee convention or 1967 protocol
Hence, also accused of differential standards among refugee groups
Eg against Rohingyas – Being deported
Or Chakmas from Ban- Only provided support after SC intervention
Still controversy
Justification
Poor, density, Developed world inadequate, social tensions – ASSAM
Data now
Official data – 5 lakh annually from Ban. Many more unofficially
1.2 lakh refugees (stock) from Tibet
40-50k Rohingyas
Mainly in Kashmir, Hyderabad, Delhi area
Hindus from Pak, Ban
Difference
Migrant– moves to another countries mainly for economic opportunities
DACA issue in America , similarly H1B
Issue – comptitiveness, Dreamers, Freedom , US a country of immigrants, Tech, Universities, developed vs Developing, GATS mode 4
Refugees – Are fleeing persecution, terrorism, etc
Asylum seekers – They seek refugee status, but haven’t been granted
