It is quite complicated to describe diplomacy in a phrase. Diplomacy ranges from non-violent one to a fierce one, covering such dynamic character in 1 or 2 sentences is impossible. But what we will be discussing today is the more friendly and non-violent diplomacy that was quite prevalent in past and is being sidelined nowadays.
Diplomacy is a magic in politics; capable of solving almost all the dispute and strain in the international relations. This is the realization of “pen is stronger than the sword” to the fullest. It is quite fascinating how the leaders and diplomats are able to solve complex to complex situation by exchange of words and compromises in negotiation table.
However, such sights are becoming rarer and rarer with every passing year. I accept the prevalence of power play in negotiation table but open quarrel what we are witnessing these days were not the case atleast not in public. Whether be it the President Nixon’s visit to China or solving of Cuban missile crisis, it was all diplomacy that pulled world out from the lion’s mouth. Then, how is diplomacy being sidelined in the modern age?
The most substantial evidence of the sidelining of diplomacy can be easily witnessed in the federal budgets of top economies whether be it US, UK, India or China. Every nation is pouring large chunk of the budget on modernizing military but no one cares about the department handling the international affairs. The budget allocated to them are hardly enough to operate. All most all the department handling foreign affairs are understaffed, lacks resources and technology to collect and analyze information.
Post of US ambassador to India is vacant for two years despite India being a determining factor for balancing the regional power politics in IndoPacific region. Furthermore, the seat of Chinese ambassador to US is also vacant in the time when relationship between them strictly requires a diplomatic miracle. I think it is quite evident that powerful nations are not giving importance to the diplomacy as they did ages ago.
It also signifies the political shift that has swept the population around the world. There has been a significant rise in populist and nationalist movements around the world. In the post pandemic world, nationalism has become a trump card for the politician to win over the population. Rise of right is in greatest levels around the world whether be it in India, EU or even in US. So called “leftist” are also playing over the nationalistic feeling adding fire to fury. This over-the-top populist and nationalist politics has projected military action as the way forward and diplomacy as the one guilty of undermining the national interest or nationalism.
This shift towards the muscle power rather than soft power (diplomacy) has turned the world towards paranoia. The Citizens of the country having opposite view than the host countries are often condemned and mistreated. This has increased in recent years despite our claims of being more civilized. There has been increase in assault against Asians in America, Australia and EU while Americans too face same fate in the countries like China or Russia.
Unnecessary provocations are being initiated whether for public stunt or due to lack of political rationale. From Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan to Spy balloon flying over the US soil, we are moving towards geopolitical disaster. What can save us from it is diplomacy not any military forces.
As we all are aware, when military enters; there is no winner………