Dr. Jyoti M. Pathania is an academician and analyst with over twenty years teaching and research experience in various universities. A doctorate in Political Science; she graduated from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University; earned her M.A. and M.Phil. in International Politics, from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She holds another Masters in ‘Peace and Conflict Studies’, from European Peace University (Austria, Spain and Ireland). Currently, she is a Senior Fellow & Chairperson Outreach Committee at Centre for Land Warfare Studies, (CLAWS) New-Delhi.
Dr. Pramod Jaiswal, Research Director NIICE had a conversation with Dr. Jyoti M. Pathania on the changing contours of diplomacy in the COVID-19 pandemic times and how South Asian Nations should cope with it. Excerpts of the interview:
How will diplomacy work in the COVID -19 stricken world?
Diplomacy will have to make a shift into the digital platform, in other words, diplomacy will work with the aid of information and communication technologies i.e. Virtual diplomacy. The first foreign ministry to develop an e-diplomacy unit was the United States in the year 2002. Unfortunately, not many countries followed suit. Infact in these pandemic times digital diplomacy/ virtual diplomacy will only increase manifold.
What is virtual diplomacy and how is it different from normal diplomacy?
Virtual diplomacy is altered diplomacy since it is an authoritative communication and interaction between the officials of the different governments in the reel world. It is different from normal diplomacy because herein officials are not meeting in person. While maintaining social distancing which is the need of the hour, meetings as well as important decisions are being taken online. The first virtual meeting of the SAARC nations was called by the Indian Prime Minister on the 15 March 2020. Leaders of the SAARC Member states attended and discussed a strategy to tackle the coronavirus. SAARC nations met almost after six years, the last summit was hosted by Nepal in November 2014.
What was the result of the Virtual SAARC Summit meeting?
Some positive decisions were taken, like setting up of a COVID-19 emergency fund for SAARC nations for which India contributed USD 10 million; a common framework for telemedicine; online training modules, a ministerial level group for discussing coronavirus related issues was set up; website with information in each SAARC languages was also initiated. In COVID-era Virtual Diplomacy seems to be the only way to advance foreign policy goals of a nation which further helps in advancing national interest.
For Virtual Diplomacy to work, internet connectivity is a must, what is the status in South Asia?
As per the mobile internet connectivity 2019, the proportion of the population connected to mobile internet has almost doubled since 2014 and currently stands at 33 percent and more than 500 million additional people in the region have gained mobile broadband coverage during the same period. You will be surprised to know that South Asia has the most affordable broadband across the world but two largest impediments remain, lack of digital skills and lack of literacy.
What are the advantages as well as disadvantages of virtual diplomacy as a foreign policy tool?
There is no denying the fact that virtual diplomacy is more cost effective as no travel, food lodging costs are incurred; moreover easy accessibility, 24/7 availability and transparency makes it a reliable and trustworthy tool of foreign policy. Some diplomats and world leaders use their Twitter accounts to share important messages with the public at large. This increase in the digital footprints in international relations will help to connect with the diaspora at large, especially the youth through online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Hangout, Skype, Zoom, Webex etc. This further strengthens public diplomacy; wherein common people get a chance to influence policy decisions by giving credible inputs and information to the government which can be beneficial to policy makers.
The disadvantages relate to the security aspects; Cyber- attacks, cyber -crimes, hacking, information leakage, anonymity of users and public sparring on certain issues which create an unhealthy atmosphere. Phrases like ” can you hear me, am I audible, unmute the microphone” are repetitive phrases used during online meetings which break the momentum and the thought process.
What do you think will be the alterations in functioning of traditional diplomacy in these pandemic times?
The diplomats and the good offices need to reinvigorate their mechanism of functioning. Courtesies and mannerism, and protocol will have to be kept at bay for some time. Even though, virtual diplomacy will not supersede traditional diplomacy, it will supplement and complement it. But in today’s COVID-19 stricken world, virtual diplomacy seems to be the only plausible way of interactions in international relations. It is here to stay even in the post COVID-19 world order. Within a few months of the outbreak the most powerful grouping of the world – G7, G20, SAARC, World bank and UN have started using and utilising the potential of virtual communication and meetings.
In 2007, Maldives became the first country in the world to open a Virtual Embassy in Second Life, the online virtual world. Such embassies are very useful for diplomatic outreach for small and developing countries.
