Eleanor Finch
Deft diplomacy is a term used to describe a country's ability to maintain good bilateral relations with nations hostile to each other. It is often used to describe India's cooperation with Iran, and its growing relations with Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia. Deft diplomacy is also used to describe China's balancing act in its policy on Ukraine, where it supports Russia while also calling for a negotiated settlement. While some argue that India's success in deft diplomacy is due to its economic growth and market power, others attribute it to the country's neutrality in regional disputes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maintaining good bilateral relations with nations hostile to each other | India's cooperation with Iran and its growing relations with Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia |
| Avoid taking strong positions on any regional dispute | India's refusal to take a stand on the blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt |
| Maintaining neutrality | India's neutrality in Middle Eastern regional disputes |
| Emphasizing affinities with the Global South | India's emphasis on keeping the interests of developing countries front and center |
| Holding summits to give voice to the Global South | India's "Voice of the Global South" summit |
| Influencing the decisions and behavior of foreign governments | India's efforts to extradite Kim Davy from Denmark |
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What You'll Learn
- Deft diplomacy is a vague term used to describe India's foreign policy successes
- It is also used to describe China's policy on Ukraine, supporting Moscow and rebuking the US and NATO
- India's deft diplomacy is characterised by its cooperation with Iran and growing relations with Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia
- Deft diplomacy is also used to describe India's efforts to signal that it will not turn its back on the interests of developing countries
- Despite India's deft diplomacy, it did not secure a seat at UNESCO, losing to Pakistan by a large margin
Deft diplomacy is a vague term used to describe India's foreign policy successes
India has pursued an expansive foreign policy, including the neighborhood-first policy and the Look East policy, to forge stronger economic and strategic relationships with countries in its region and beyond. India is also a member of several intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, BRICS, and the G-20. India has emphasized its affinities with the Global South and its commitment to promoting the interests of developing countries in multilateral contexts.
However, there have been instances where India's diplomacy has fallen short, such as in the case of its failure to secure a seat at the UNESCO table. Additionally, India's relations with China have been strained due to border conflicts and India's participation in the Quad-alliance. Despite these challenges, India continues to play a significant role in international relations and has maintained its standing in the Middle East and other regions.
The concept of defence diplomacy, which involves the peaceful employment of defence resources and capabilities to achieve foreign policy objectives, is also relevant to India's foreign policy. India seeks to develop mutually beneficial relationships and contribute to a stable international and regional environment through defence diplomacy. In summary, while the term "deft diplomacy" may be vague and overused, India's foreign policy successes are a result of a complex interplay of economic, strategic, and diplomatic factors.
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It is also used to describe China's policy on Ukraine, supporting Moscow and rebuking the US and NATO
Deft diplomacy can be defined as a country's ability to maintain good bilateral relations with nations hostile to each other. In the context of China's policy on Ukraine, this term can be used to describe the country's delicate balancing act between supporting Moscow, rebuking the US, and maintaining its relations with NATO.
China has been cautious not to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and its trade ties with Russia have strengthened since the conflict began. This has helped Russia offset the impact of Western sanctions to some extent. China has also been accused of providing equipment, microelectronics, and tools that enable Russia to build weapons used in the Ukraine war. However, China denies providing military aid to Russia, claiming that its trade with Russia is "normal" and "above board."
At the same time, China has criticized NATO and the US for their role in the conflict, accusing them of overreaching and causing turmoil in Europe. China's stance on the Ukraine crisis has drawn strong reactions from NATO and its allies, who have rebuked Beijing for being a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war efforts. They argue that China's "'no-limits partnership' with Russia and its support for Russia's defense industry have increased the threat Russia poses to its neighbors and Euro-Atlantic security.
China's policy on Ukraine can be understood in the context of its broader strategic goals. Beijing has sought to defend Ukraine's sovereignty while also ensuring that Russia is not defeated. This dual approach has led to increased economic, diplomatic, and military interactions between China and Russia. China's support for Moscow aligns with its interest in countering the US-led liberal international order and challenging US hegemony.
In conclusion, China's policy on Ukraine exemplifies deft diplomacy as it navigates complex geopolitical dynamics by supporting Moscow, rebuking the US and NATO, and pursuing its strategic objectives. China's role in the Ukraine crisis has highlighted the interconnected nature of global security concerns and the challenges faced by international alliances in responding to them.
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India's deft diplomacy is characterised by its cooperation with Iran and growing relations with Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia
Deft diplomacy is a term used to describe India's ability to maintain good bilateral relations with nations hostile to each other. India's deft diplomacy is characterised by its cooperation with Iran and growing relations with Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
India has a long history of trade and cultural communication with Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. During the Persian Gulf War (1990-91), India officially maintained neutrality, and since then, both nations have taken steps to improve ties. In 2023, Iran and India stated their commitment to strengthening relations and increasing cooperation in transportation and energy security.
India's relations with Israel have also been growing since the 1990s, with comprehensive economic, military, and political relationships in place. India recognised Israeli sovereignty in 1950 and established full diplomatic relations in 1992. India's opposition to official diplomatic relations with Israel stemmed from domestic and foreign considerations, including its dependence on Arab countries for oil imports and trade routes. However, with more countries outside the Middle East wanting to sell oil to India, New Delhi has increased its bargaining power and can pursue a more independent Israel policy.
India's relations with Saudi Arabia have strengthened considerably due to collaboration in regional affairs and trade. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest suppliers of oil to India, and India is one of the top seven trading partners and the fifth biggest investor in Saudi Arabia. In 2019, Saudi Arabia increased India's Hajj quota, making it the second-highest country in the number of pilgrims.
India's relations with the US are founded on shared values, including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system. India is one of twelve countries partnering with the US on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), where the US is a dialogue partner.
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Deft diplomacy is also used to describe India's efforts to signal that it will not turn its back on the interests of developing countries
Deft diplomacy is a term used to describe India's ability to maintain good bilateral relations with nations that are hostile to each other. For example, India has been able to maintain relations with both Iran and Israel, the US and Saudi Arabia, despite the tensions between these countries.
India has also used deft diplomacy in its relations with Bangladesh. When the Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5, India was left without a friend in the neighbouring country as it had put all its eggs in the Awami League basket. However, quick moves by Indian diplomats to reach out to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)'s top leadership bore fruit, and the BNP recognised the benefits of having India as a friend.
In addition, India has emphasised its affinities with the Global South and has claimed that it keeps the interests of developing countries front and centre in its positions on social and economic issues in multilateral contexts. During India’s G20 Presidency, the Modi government stressed that it was giving voice to the aspirations of the Global South. It held a “Voice of the Global South” summit in January and again virtually in November.
However, despite these efforts, India did not secure the support of the Global South countries in the election for one of the Vice President’s positions for the Executive Board of UNESCO, losing to Pakistan by a large margin. This raises questions about the efficacy of India’s efforts with countries of the Global South.
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Despite India's deft diplomacy, it did not secure a seat at UNESCO, losing to Pakistan by a large margin
Deft diplomacy is a term used to describe India's ability to maintain good bilateral relations with nations hostile to each other. For example, India has been able to cooperate with Iran while also growing its relations with Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia. This is often referred to as "quiet diplomacy", "backroom diplomacy", or "deft diplomatic footwork".
In 2023, India was in the running for a Vice-President's position on the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Despite its deft diplomacy, India did not secure a seat, losing to Pakistan by a large margin of 38 votes to 18. This defeat has prompted reflection on India's efficacy in garnering support from the Global South.
There are several possible reasons why India did not secure the seat. Firstly, it has been suggested that India's UNESCO delegation and the relevant ministries did not adequately assess the election dynamics and failed to secure enough support from developing countries. Secondly, India's efforts to extradite Kim Davy from Denmark, linked to the Purulia arms drop case, may have played a role. Despite Davy publicly acknowledging his involvement in breaking Indian laws, there has been limited progress in securing his extradition, which has raised questions about India's approach.
Additionally, India's position on regional disputes in the Middle East may have been a factor. India tends to avoid taking strong stances on regional disputes, which allows it to maintain good relations with multiple countries. However, this neutrality may have worked against it in the UNESCO election, especially when compared to Pakistan, which may have taken stronger positions that resonated with developing countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Deft diplomacy is a phrase used to describe a government's ability to maintain good relations with hostile nations. The phrase is often used to avoid looking at deeper structural factors behind a foreign policy success.
India's cooperation with Iran and its growing relations with Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia is an example of deft diplomacy.
The phrase is used due to its versatility. For instance, instead of looking at deeper structural factors behind a foreign policy success, one can simply credit the government's "deft diplomatic touch".
Some other phrases that mean the same thing as "deft diplomacy" are "quiet diplomacy", "backroom diplomacy", and "deft diplomatic footwork".
Critics of the phrase argue that it betrays the intellectual lethargy of the Indian foreign policy commentariat. They argue that the phrase is used to avoid looking at deeper structural factors behind a foreign policy success.
