– Ramesh Prasad Khanal,
Former Ambassador of Nepal to Germany (2016-2020)
and Chief of Protocol (2015-2016)
Diplomacy is construed as one of the major statecrafts of which trajectory of success and failure create history in the world.
Consequently, in many instances, it has become the leading cause for the rise and fall of empires or regimes in different phases of world history.
Diplomacy consists of state-of-art skills developed over the ages through continuous practices between and among the states that are generally blended with precedents, rules and norms as well as experiences.
In order to interact, negotiate and resolve issues peacefully among states/one ruler to another, diplomacy has evolved with the geographical locations, changing times, events and technology.
The key to successful diplomacy is to effectively communicate, negotiate and resolve issues in an amicable way keeping all sides happy or at least satisfied.
When diplomacy fails, issues on hand may turn into violent conflicts, if not checked on time.
This failure was visible during the two World Wars between 1914-1918 and 1941-1945 respectively.
As long as there are interests, nations tend to claim their “legitimate right to defend their claims over interests.
Since 1946, after the end of the 2nd World War, nations have strived to choose peaceful means to preserve and promote their respective national interests.
The multilateral and regional mechanisms are also used to pursue their agendas through negotiation and peaceful means. Despite efforts through such mechanisms, the world has been experiencing armed conflicts and wars in several parts of the globe.
As expected after the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and so called “end of history”, a peaceful world with equality, dignity and human rights is still elusive. Intractable issues are addressed by diplomats through the art and skill inherent to diplomacy.
In order to arm diplomats with necessary skills, states heavily invest in diplomatic mechanisms, help sharpen apparatus and develop skillful human resources to keep it updated to face emerging challenges either through bilateral or multilateral mediums.
With tactful engagement and personal involvement, diplomats could play a very crucial role in bringing many derailed negotiations to the right track.
As Defense personnel defend national borders with their blood and sweat, diplomats do the same albeit in a subtle way through innumerable engagements and negotiations, sometimes too tiring, sometimes too irritating and sometimes seemingly far-fetched ones to preserve their national interests.
Diplomats are regarded as “warriors without a uniform”.
They are trained in such a way to deal with issues in a disciplined manner, keeping in sync with time, place and purposes.
Diplomatic service, therefore, is treated as a “special service” by states around the world. Diplomats are trained and groomed in a rigorous way to face challenges of unforeseen events and issues emerging or making predictions on future course of actions with options for the concerned state to choose.
In the absence of knowledge on the significance of diplomacy and works of diplomats, many tend to criticize that such institutions are “white elephants” with no tangible outcome.
By its nature, diplomacy generally carried out quietly to garner better results. Pursuance of quiet diplomatic endeavors brings in tangible outcome than cacophonic diplomacy which mars the very core of diplomacy to make it a win-win situation for all sides.
Being a “special service”, diplomatic works should be carried out by specially trained personnel.
If an untrained and inexperienced personnel is sent to the battleground, it is certain that one will lose the battle.
In our context, if Nepal keeps sending untrained, inexperienced personnel to man a diplomatic mission, expecting the desired result is far-fetched.
Only a diplomat, laden with necessary skills, knowledge and experiences would be able to work out a ‘win-win’ at the negotiation table either at the bilateral, multilateral or regional level.
Diplomacy, therefore, is and should be carried out by the diplomatic cadres to garner maximum benefits to one’s states.
Persuading one’s position to the other party to come to an agreement is actually a herculean task due to complexities arising from conflicting interests of each party.
Diplomacy is an art of persuasion and negotiation.
In diplomacy, one has to lead, stir and persevere.
Diplomats are problem-solvers and crisis managers.
They should lead, they should inspire and they should shed their blood and sweat for preservation and promotion of mutual interests on an equitable basis.
Diplomacy is sometimes ridiculed as “half protocol, half alcohol” but far from it, in practice, it is an arduous process to maximize national interests through relentless efforts and tiring negotiations that involves, among other, exchange of substantive agendas to each other.
Perseverance, persuasion and relentless efforts are hallmarks of diplomacy. States possess different capabilities called by eminent scholar Hans J Morgenthau as “power”.
Such powers mainly vary according to geography, population and economy among others.
But, in international forums such as the UN, each state holds a sovereign voting right irrespective of the size, location, population or size of economy of a state. Influential powers in international affairs wish to push forward their interests through lesser powerful states.
In order to safeguard national interests, smaller countries with less power” should keep themselves ready to negotiative with “big power” on equal terms.
Diplomacy is the only effective tool for smaller powers” to navigate in the complex networks of international affairs.
They have no choice but to keep engaged and strive to defend their interests.
Diplomacy means much more to “smaller powers” as it keeps sharpening their skills and acumen to sit face to face with bigger powers ate the negotiating table.”
Diplomacy is and should, therefore, be handled by diplomatic professionals who are well-acquainted with necessary diplomatic skills, experiences and wisdom developed over the years and networks established during their diplomatic tenure abroad.
With required diplomatic paraphernalia, experienced diplomats tend to sail the boat smoothly even during storms at the unpredictable sea.
Merely heading a diplomatic mission does not necessarily bestow upon the much-needed skills, wisdom and experiences.
Being a “special service’, diplomatic service should be predominantly handled by professionals who have devoted their life in this profession.
Projection, prediction and factual assessment of the situation and issues are major attributes of a professional diplomat. Smaller countries and economies should, therefore, give much priority to enhance the competence of its diplomatic professionals.
Diplomacy is not everybody’s cup of tea as assumed.
In order to not to face setbacks, diplomatic professionals could play pivotal roles in safeguarding national interests.
“Every trained groomed professional diplomat is regarded as an asset to the respective states and their experiences and expertise are well-received and utilized in time of need”.
End Text.
#Text courtesy: Association of Former Career Ambassadors of Nepal (AFCAN). Volume 2, 2021.
Thanks AFCAN and the distinguished author Mr. Khanal: N. P. Upadhyaya.
Our contact address is: editor.telegraphnepal@gmail.com