This is my first blog, forgive me for any mistakes. This blog talks about lecture on ‘challenges in security & diplomacy’ by Ambassador amit dasgupta (retd) at Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Savitrbai Phule Pune University. The event was chaired by AIR MARSHALL BHUSHAN GOKHALE(Retd).
Ambassador dasgupta talked about risk assessment in the domain of diplomacy. He showed his admiration to former PM ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE for his decision to shake hands with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, when the later offered handshake to the former in midst of turbulent times on an International stage after Kargil war, If PM Vajpayee wouldn’t have shook hands ,it would have conveyed that India is not ready for talks despite Pakistan making the first move but the problem with PM vajpayee shaking hands was that it would have signified India is ready to talk. PM Vajpayee analysed the risk , shook his counterparts hand but the talks never happened. Mr. Vajpayee was sharp enough to understand and react to this gesture of warmth smartly.
Mr. Dasgupta also talked about new trend in diplomacy where world leaders prefer to talk to each other directly on telephone rather than following path suggested in Vienna convention. This new trend has it’s pros and cons. He also talked about uncertainty in world politics whose trendsetter has been President Donald Trump. He significantly stressed on requirement of specialists in diplomacy to take immediate and foresighted decisions.
Air Marshall Gokhale’s(Retd) praised PM Modi for his efforts to improve diplomatic ties with neighbours and International community. The trend set by PM Modi to set up friendly relations with other by changing diplomatic procedures is rather good was a mild argument put up by him in soft words.
In recent years India has made some new allies like USA, Israel and have deepened relations with Gulf and African countries. On the other hand it’s relations with old brothers like Nepal, Maldives & Sri lanka has seen a little upsetting trend. All this is because two reasons
1) China’s excellent diplomacy in these states supported by its regular economic aid to these countries &
2) India’s habit to rub the nose and let other states know that we are there for them even when they know we are there.
India had no need to beat it’s chest and let Nepalese know that we are there to help them in times of massive earthquake. Neither did they ask India to make a Constitution for them ,even then we offered them. Initiatives of building roads and other infrastructure promised by India is on the drawing pages. Reasons like this are impedimenting diplomatic and security success of the Indian state.
Thank you
Note – please don’t hesitate to bring any grammatical or informative mistake to my notice.
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