Changing Trends in International Relations and Practice of Diplomacy

1. Changing Trends in International Relations and Practice of Diplomacy GhanshyamBhandari Joint Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2. Presentation Outline • The Basics: International Relations, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy • Genealogy of International Relations: Then and Now • Major Theories and Approaches to International Relations • New Global Context: Trends and Issues in International Relations • Diplomacy as a Tool in International Relations • Changing Nature of Diplomacy: From Secrecy to Nakedness? • Negotiation as an Instrument of Diplomacy • Conclusion: Moving beyond ‘Protocol’

3. The Basics: International Relations, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy • IR- Narrow sense: Interaction between/among nation states • Broader sense: totality of interactions between, below or above nation states (also includes organizations, communities, peoples, etc.- Palmer and Perkins, 1997) • Foreign Policy: ‘a systematic statement of deliberately selected national interests’- F.H. Hartman • Totality of objectives, plans and actions taken by a state in its external relations • Diplomacy : Tool of foreign policy in international relations • Substance of foreign relations • Application of intelligence and tact in the conduct of official relations by independent states (Satow)

4. Genealogy of International Relations: Then and Now • Traditional View: Upto the end of WW I, IR was studied in terms of historical description • After WW I the focus was on current affairs • Soon after WW II, scientific understanding of causes of war was the focus • Modern/Current View: Broadening of meaning, scope, dimensions • Multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional • Multiplicity of actors- states, people, societies, institutions

5. Genealogy….(Contd.) • In general IR is now understood as management of independence, interdependence, integration and interaction of states and other actors below and above states • It includes diverse issues pertaining to national interest, power, institutions, international politics, law, organizations, etc.

6. Major Theories and Approaches to International Relations • Positivist: (realism, liberalism, regime)- human reason, states, power, human laws, science and linear view of history are at the centre. • Post-positivist: (International society theory, social constructivism)- opposes the notion of ‘power’ as a ‘just there’ phenomenon • Reason as a human construct, beliefs/cultural practices matter • Institutions and collective identities are important • Post-structuralist: (feminism, post-colonialism)- redefining power as a construct, post-truth, discourse, ‘centre under erasure’

7. New Global Context: Trends and Issues in International Relations • Political fragmentation but economic integration • Trends towards regionalismand globalization- the paradox? • Five escapes- ethnoscapes, technoscapes, financescapes, mediascapes, ideoscapes (ArjunApadurai, 1997) • Dominance of non-traditional issues: trade, climate change, sustainable development, IP, health, migration, etc. • Emergence of non-state actors, changing nature of power (military, economic and smart)

8. New Global Context….(Contd.) • Five waves: geo-political realignment, ‘triadization of world economy’ (Joseph S Nye), countering terrorism, emergence of BRICS and other developing countries, growing importance of climate change and sustainable development • Five major challenges: doing away with ‘The Great Divide’ (Joseph E. Stiglitz) and managing globalization, unemployment,, tackling geo-political tensions, addressing climate change challenges and fighting ‘post-truth’ phenomenon

9. Diplomacy as a Tool in International Relations • Diplomacy: a tool to implement foreign policy of a nation state • Opposed to sanctions, war, other coercive means • Art of negotiation: ‘getting others to yes’ • Its instruments include persuasion, agreement, adjustment, alliances, imperialism, allegiances • Method or art of a diplomat, hence typical skills required

10. Diplomacy as a Tool ….(Contd.) • Fundamentals of diplomacy • National interest • Tact and intelligence ( to see and solve problems) • Relations based on common interests • Desire to use peaceful means • Skills:- • Rhetoric • Protocol and etiquette • Language • Media skills • Common sense • Diplomatic correspondence

11. Key ingredients of National Interest: Main Stake of Diplomacy

12. Institutional Coordination

13. Changing Nature of Diplomacy: From Secrecy to Nakedness? • Traditional view: • State centered approach, government-to-government relations, limited actors, primacy of geo-strategic and security issues ; war and peace; acquiring and losing territory ; alliances and counter-alliances; balance of power • Modern View: • Competence in unlimited areas: from agriculture to culture to biotechnology to climate change; economic development and technological progress dominating the agenda • Broad-based relationship, cooperative networks, government and non-government actors, the private sector, civil society and people-to-people contacts

14. Changing Nature….(Contd.) • New Trends: economic diplomacy, public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy (examples of China, Russia ) digital diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy • From secret and opaque to people centred approach, democratic decision-making • Networked organizations, synergies • Transparency, accountability, impact of ICT and public opinion, informatics, speed- the naked diplomacy? (Tom Fletcher)

15. Changing Nature…(Contd.) • The ‘nakedness’ through disruptive technologies: • ‘disruptive’ technologies: to use or not to use in negotiation, that is the question, • Challenges: Getting in tune, security, no ‘humane’ touch, distance • Need to be more alert, cope with distance/space/time differences • Different situation skills: dealing with powerful opponents, human side? more objective?

16. Negotiation as an Instrument of Diplomacy • Negotiation: You must be fully prepared to lose a great deal to make a great deal (Ancient proverb) • ‘Getting to Yes without Giving in’ (Roger Fisher and WillianUry) • Do not bargain over positions but interest • Separate people from the problem (hard on problem, soft on people) • Focus on interests and principle • Use objective criteria • Develop BATNA (‘What if’ option) • Be aware of ‘dirty tricks’

17. Negotiation as an ….(Contd.) • Approaches: avoiding, collaborating, competing, compromising, accommodating • Game Theories: win-lose options (prisoner's dilemma) • Nepali scenario: ‘one track’ syndrome, win-lose syndrome, random walk syndrome, conflict avoidance syndrome • Six useful tactics: sharing information, rank your priorities, know your target outcomes, make the first offer, don’t counter too low, flexibility-the key (Grant and Galinsky)

18. Take Aways • Diplomacy is the craft to conduct IR • Enduring instrumentalities, not just business as usual approaches • Negotiation: role of homework and consultations • Global context, local practice and individual skills- all make the difference

19. Nepali Diplomacy: Status, Prospects and Pathways

20. Presentation Outline • Diplomacy: National Scenario • Foundations of Nepal’s Foreign Policy • Evolution of Nepal’s Foreign Office • Nepal’s Diplomatic Architecture: Issues and Institutions • Old Challenges, New Vulnerabilities • Current Prospects • Pathways: Role of MoFA and MIssions • Conclusion: Time to Thrive

21. Diplomacy: National Scenario • Nepal’s Case: A Slow but Steady Evolution • Strong foundation, slower progress • Managing interests- national and external • Focus on institutionalization • Geopolitics and the question of balance (YadunathKhanal) • Collaborative partnerships and networks- government institutions, diaspora and communities (the common man narrative) • Elusive national consensus

22. Diplomatic Engagement: What is at Stake For Nepal • Nepal’s options: containment ? self-sufficiency ? sovereign obligation (Richard Hass) • Politics, economics, and trust • Multilateralism and use of soft power • Championing the cause of LDCs and LLDCs • SDGs and climate change

23. Foundations of Nepal’s Foreign Policy • Directive Principle-enhancing the dignity of the nation [---] while safeguarding freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national interest of Nepal [Article 50(4)] • State Policies: Foreign policy based on Panchsheel, UN Charter, Non-alignment, International law and norms of world peace [Article 51(m)] • The principles of neutrality and peace not only guide our FP but are intrinsically attached to our people • Development dimension, a new thrust

24. Foreign Policy: Settings • Bilateral (diplomatic relations with 143 countries, including all the permanent members of the UN Security Council) • Regional (SAARC, BIMSTEC, SCO) • Multilateral (UN and Specialized Agencies) • Theme-based conferences

25. Foreign Policy Priorities

26. Evolution of Nepal’s Foreign Office • Legacy of JaisiKothaand MunshiKhana • Isolationist approach constrained the development during Rana regime • Establishment of independent Foreign Ministry in 1951 • Pronouncement to consolidation phase (2007-17) • Execution phase (Panchayat Era) • Democratization and institutionalization post-2047

27. Nepal’s Diplomatic Architecture: Issues and Institutions • Issues: • Geopolitical sensitivities • Capitalizing from the rise of India and China, the schoolmates of modernization (LiiHaibo) • Using soft power and strategic space • Economic diplomacy, the key priority • Multilateralism – building on international goodwill • Creating synergies and coordination

28. Nepal’s Diplomatic Architecture…(contd.) • Institutional Architecture: • MoFA - 2 Departments, 10 Divisions and 36 Missions (27 Embassies, 3 Permanent Missions, 6 Consulates) • Human resources (278 foreign service officials) • Departments and divisions at MoFA coordinate with embassies and missions • Division/Department Head–Ambassadors’ point of contact • Ambassadors report to the foreign secretary

29. Old Challenges, New Vulnerabilities

30. Our Strengths • An old nation-state with independent political history, established identify • Neutrality • All friends, no enemy; • Tremendous international goodwill and support • Committed internationalist • Possibility to act as Economic and civilizational bridge between India and China • World landmarks (Mt. Everest, Lumbini)

31. Current Prospects • At the national level • Principled foreign policy and soft power • Conclusion of peace process and promulgation of the new constitution • Gradual evolution of economic orientation • International scenario • Tremendous goodwill towards Nepal • Dynamic communities and diaspora dividend • Expansion and professionalization of Nepali missions and diplomats

32. Pathways: Role of MoFA and Missions • ToR – the main guideposts for ambassadors • Active diplomatic engagement with the host government and diplomatic community • Building synergies and partnerships with local governments, think tanks and epistemic communities • Economic diplomacy: exploring and exploiting the potentials available in the host country • Public diplomacy: engagement with academia, media and local communities • Digital diplomacy (branding and promoting Nepal through social media) • Promote the interest of Nepali diaspora and facilitate their engagement in Nepal’s development efforts • Engagement through B2B, G2G, G2C and others

33. Pathways…..(Contd.) • Diplomatic Engagement (negotiating not to win but losing is definitely not an answer) • Negotiation, not demonstrating on the streets • Connectivity and building linkages • Join new initiatives

34. Pathways…(Contd.)

35. Conclusion: Time to Thrive, not Just Survive • Political will and consensus • Need to walk the talk, lest it becomes a mere ‘diplomatic’ rhetoric • MoFA and Embassies need plans and programmes with concrete deliverables. • Management of resources • Clarity of roles and responsibilities, • No straitjackets will help (wind and windmill narrative)

36. Thank you (Questions and Comments are Welcome.)