Diplomacy and Politics – Some Random Thoughts
Diplomacy is a process of interaction between nations often
involving negotiations and agreements, resorted to achieve political and
foreign policy goals of the country. It's closely linked to politics,
as diplomatic
actions are frequently guided by broader political objectives and can also
shape political outcomes. While diplomacy is a tool within the larger
realm of politics, in simple words, it can be put like this -
Interdependence: Diplomacy and politics are intertwined, with each
influencing the other.
Shared Goals: Both diplomacy and politics share the common goal of
promoting the interests of a state or group.
My immediate pretext to write something on the subject is the
ongoing controversy and fist-fighting between the opposition parties of India
led by Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party and the BJP and its government at the
Center about the role of EAM S. Jaishankar in executing the Operation Sindoor,
undertaken to control and neutralize cross border terrorism.
It is a sensitive subject and any opinion on it must be
weighed well before it is made public. Unfortunately, this fine line or
Lakshman Rekha is increasingly being crossed by the politicians and opinion
makers including the media. India that is Bharat is a democratic country of
standing. It is gratifying to note that, like any civilized and strong country,
there is a national consensus on the matters of interest and concern to the
country as a whole particularly with regard to the foreign policy responses to
safe-guard the sovereignty and integrity of the country. This national consensus was visible with
regard to the Operation Sindoor too, prima facie. But it was a short lived
situation and things were back to the square one.
It seems, to my mind, political mistrust and slugfest for
brownie points, is increasingly creeping in our polity which is not a healthy
attribute of a good democratic set up. It must be understood that foreign
policy of a country is nothing but an extended hand of internal policy and
standing of the country concerned. The opposition parties have the right to
question and criticize the government. The government is required to be answerable
and responsible in a prudent manner as possible and feasible to safeguard the
sovereignty and integrity of the country. The exercise is complete – the
opposition led by the LOP, Rahul Gandhi has done its job and the government has
explained the matter openly and publically.
Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri refuted the assertions of the
opposition that EAM Jaishankar had alerted Pakistan in advance before the
Indian armed attack on terror infrastructures and facilities on May 7. Foreign
Secretary Misri clarified that the DGMO had
informed, the action taken, to his
Pakistani counterpart after the attack on the dens of terror inside Pakistan
and POK. The Ministry of External Affairs on May 17 rejected Rahul Gandhi’s
accusations against EAM Jaishankar claiming that he had informed Pakistan ahead
of Operation Sindoor, calling it a “misrepresentation of facts”.
Diplomacy and Politics are the two sides of the same coin.
One needs to have a sense of discretion in understanding diplomatic issues. I
think, in the given situation, it is only prudent to accept the explanation
given by the MEA at its face value. Only time will see and ascertain the
voracity of the happenings, in due course. Our
foreign policy machinery is
manned by competent and intelligent people. EAM S. Jaishankar is a consummate
diplomat himself and is a man of integrity, apart from his appreciable innings
in politics. He knows his job well and knows what he is talking about. In these
days, it is not possible to hide things for long. Truth would come out in due
course. There is no conflict between politics and diplomacy.
Chinese intellectual, Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war
is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Perhaps India taking a que from this
has paused the conflict with Pakistan after neutralizing terror machine of Pakistan.
The GOI, headed by PM Narendra Modi and fully supported by the opposition in a
strong and vibrant democracy, has firm and unwavering political will to face
the challenges to its sovereignty and integrity. Strong and trained armed forces
of India, fully competent to teach lessons to the enemy, stood behind the
political leadership and the people of Bharat. As a practitioner of diplomacy, I
conclude this piece with a quote from George F. Kennon, “You have no idea how
much it contributes to the general politeness and pleasantness of diplomacy
when you have a little quiet armed force in the background” But at the same
time, we should not be oblivious of the ground reality asserted by Theodore Roosevelt,
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” As usual I take this
opportunity to caution and warn our political and diplomatic leaderships with
an Urdu couplet –
Chupa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyan Rakhi
Hain Gardoon Ne
Anadil Bagh Ke Ghafil Na Baithen Ashiyon Mein
The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve
Garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests
*****
Postscript: In a lighter vein -
i) Failed Marshal in Pakistan has promoted himself as Field Marshal
ii) The gains attained and obtained by the Godi Media and WhatsApp University with great efforts in the Operation Sindoor have been returned by the FS and DGMO