Jonah Patel
Paradiplomacy, or the participation of local and regional governments in international relations, has gained prominence in recent years. The term was first defined in the 1980s as the direct and indirect entries of non-central governments into the field of international relations. Paradiplomacy can be performed in support of central state diplomacy or in conflict with it. It can also be referred to as 'state diplomacy', 'continent diplomacy', 'decentralized cooperation', or 'subnational diplomacy'. This form of diplomacy is especially relevant in the European context, where it is seen as an instrument of international development aid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Direct and indirect entries of non-central governments into the field of international relations" |
| Other names | Multilayered diplomacy, substate diplomacy, subnational diplomacy, decentralized cooperation, people-to-people diplomacy, intermestic affairs, state diplomacy, continent diplomacy, regional diplomacy |
| Use cases | Supporting or complementing central state diplomacy, or coming into conflict with it |
| Actors | Sub-national actors and organisations, including NGOs, religious leaders, cultural organisations, and the Indian diaspora |
| Advantages | Broadens the reach and impact of a state's foreign policy, creates new ways of pursuing foreign policy goals, strengthens federalism, promotes trade and cultural exchange |
| Disadvantages | Can affect national security, may lead to conflicts due to differing political priorities or ideologies |
| Examples | Indian foreign policy since the early 1990s, Canadian provinces, Argentinean provinces, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group |
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What You'll Learn
- Para diplomacy is a tool to enhance a country's economic and political influence abroad
- It is a way to complement traditional diplomacy by leveraging sub-national actors' resources and expertise
- Para diplomacy can help create new and innovative ways of pursuing foreign policy goals
- It can strengthen a country's federal system by empowering states to play a more active role in international affairs
- Para diplomacy can be used to promote trade and cultural exchanges with foreign countries
Para diplomacy is a tool to enhance a country's economic and political influence abroad
Para-diplomacy is a tool that has gained prominence in recent years as countries seek alternative avenues to advance their foreign policy objectives. It involves the use of sub-national actors and organisations to promote a country's interests and influence on the international stage. This can include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious leaders, cultural organisations, and the diaspora community.
In the context of Indian foreign policy, para-diplomacy has been employed since the early 1990s to enhance the country's economic and political influence abroad. India's diaspora community, one of the largest and most influential in the world, has played a pivotal role in advocating for Indian interests in various regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. They have facilitated increased trade and investment, fostered cultural understanding, and promoted India's values in these regions.
The Indian government has actively engaged with its diaspora through initiatives like the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a biannual event that unites members of the Indian diaspora. Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) established the "'States Division" in 2014 to coordinate with states and promote their exports, tourism, and attract overseas investments.
Para-diplomacy offers several advantages, such as broadening the reach and impact of a state's foreign policy and creating innovative ways to pursue foreign policy goals. It can also lead to a more decentralised and responsive foreign policy, as seen in the case of Canadian provinces, which spend significantly on diplomacy relative to their size.
However, there are challenges to consider. Engaging in para-diplomacy may inadvertently impact national security, especially in sensitive regions. Additionally, establishing and maintaining international partnerships can strain states' financial resources, and political differences between state and central governments may lead to conflicts or a lack of support.
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It is a way to complement traditional diplomacy by leveraging sub-national actors' resources and expertise
Paradiplomacy, or "para-diplomacy", is a term that has gained prominence in recent years as countries seek alternative methods to advance their foreign policy objectives. It refers to the use of sub-national actors and organisations to promote a state's interests in the international arena.
Para-diplomacy can be seen as a way to enhance traditional diplomacy by leveraging the resources and expertise of sub-national actors. This can include NGOs, religious leaders, cultural organisations, and the diaspora. For example, Indian NGOs can promote development cooperation, human rights, and environmental sustainability, while also serving as intermediaries between the Indian government and other countries. The Indian diaspora, spread across the world, can promote India's interests and values, helping to build bridges with other countries and boost trade and investment.
Para-diplomacy allows states to capitalise on their specific advantages to promote trade and cultural exchanges with foreign countries. For instance, Kerala leveraged its diaspora to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchange with Gulf countries. It can also lead to a more decentralised and responsive foreign policy, giving states a more active role in international affairs.
However, para-diplomacy can also present challenges. It may affect national security, especially in sensitive regions. There may be resource constraints, and political differences between state and central governments can lead to conflicts or a lack of support. Nonetheless, the rise of paradiplomatic activity should be viewed as a complement to the state, not a displacement.
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Para diplomacy can help create new and innovative ways of pursuing foreign policy goals
Paradiplomacy, also referred to as "multilayered diplomacy", "substate diplomacy", and "people-to-people diplomacy", among other terms, refers to the use of sub-national actors and organizations to further the interests of a state in the international arena. It is a concept that has gained prominence as countries seek alternative ways to pursue their foreign policy goals.
Paradiplomacy can help create new and innovative ways of pursuing foreign policy goals by leveraging the resources and expertise of sub-national actors such as NGOs, religious leaders, cultural organizations, and the diaspora. These actors can promote a country's interests, values, and soft power, as well as help build bridges with other nations and cultures. For example, Indian NGOs can promote development cooperation, human rights, and environmental sustainability, while the Indian diaspora can boost trade and investment and help build cultural ties and understanding.
Paradiplomacy allows states to capitalize on their specific advantages to promote trade and cultural exchanges with other countries. For instance, Kerala, a state in India, leveraged its diaspora to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchange with Gulf countries. Similarly, Canadian provinces are among the most active sub-national units on the international stage, playing a significant role in diplomacy despite their small population and economy relative to the United States.
Paradiplomacy can also lead to a more decentralized and responsive foreign policy. For example, since 1994, an amendment to the Argentine constitution has allowed its provinces to establish treaties and agreements with foreign nations in areas such as the administration of justice, economic interests, and common utility works. This decentralization of foreign affairs empowers sub-national units to play a more active role in international relations and can lead to innovative ways of pursuing foreign policy goals.
In conclusion, paradiplomacy offers new avenues for pursuing foreign policy objectives by engaging sub-national actors and organizations, promoting trade and cultural exchanges, and enabling a more decentralized and responsive foreign policy approach.
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It can strengthen a country's federal system by empowering states to play a more active role in international affairs
Paradiplomacy, or para-diplomacy, is a term that has gained prominence in recent years as countries seek alternative methods to advance their foreign policy objectives. It refers to the involvement of sub-national actors and organisations in international relations, either in support of or in competition with the central state's diplomacy.
Para-diplomacy can strengthen a country's federal system by empowering states to take on a more active role in international affairs. This can lead to a more decentralised and responsive foreign policy, as seen in the case of India. The Indian diaspora, for instance, has been instrumental in promoting the country's interests in various regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. They have played a crucial role in advocating for Indian interests in the US Congress and other forums, boosting trade and investment, and building cultural ties and understanding.
In a similar vein, Canadian provinces are among the most active sub-national units on the international stage. Despite having a population and economy much smaller than that of the United States, the combined diplomatic spending of ten Canadian provinces equals that of the fifty American states. This demonstrates the potential impact of para-diplomacy in projecting a country's influence on the world stage.
The concept of decentralised cooperation, which is closely related to para-diplomacy, is particularly relevant in the European context. It is understood as "aid extended by local and regional governments to reinforce capacities and service delivery in partner authorities". In France, for example, it falls within the framework of "territorial collectivities' international action" and is formalised through bilateral partnerships.
While para-diplomacy can strengthen a country's federal system, it is important to consider potential challenges. For instance, engaging in para-diplomacy might inadvertently impact national security, especially in sensitive regions. Additionally, there may be resource constraints as establishing and maintaining international partnerships can strain states' financial resources. Furthermore, political differences between the central government and state-level governments might lead to conflicts or a lack of support.
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Para diplomacy can be used to promote trade and cultural exchanges with foreign countries
Para-diplomacy, or paradiplomacy, is a term that has gained prominence in recent years as countries seek alternative methods to advance their foreign policy objectives. It refers to the use of sub-national actors and organisations to advance a state's interests in the international arena. This can include NGOs, religious leaders, cultural organisations, and the diaspora.
One of the key advantages of para-diplomacy is its ability to broaden the scope and impact of a state's foreign policy. By leveraging the resources and expertise of sub-national actors, para-diplomacy can promote trade and cultural exchanges with foreign countries. For example, Kerala in India utilised its diaspora to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchange with Gulf nations. Similarly, the Indian diaspora in the United States has been instrumental in advocating for Indian interests in various forums, including the US Congress.
Para-diplomacy can also foster innovation in pursuing foreign policy goals. Indian NGOs, for instance, promote development cooperation, human rights, and environmental sustainability. They also serve as intermediaries between the Indian government and other countries or international organisations. The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in promoting India's interests and values, building bridges with other nations, and facilitating trade and investment.
While para-diplomacy can be a powerful tool, it may also pose challenges. Engaging in para-diplomacy could potentially impact national security, especially in sensitive regions. Additionally, establishing and maintaining international partnerships can strain state financial resources. Furthermore, political differences between state and central governments may lead to conflicts or a lack of support. Despite these challenges, para-diplomacy has been recognised and normalised, complementing traditional diplomacy rather than displacing it.
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Frequently asked questions
Paradiplomacy is the participation of local and regional governments in international relations. It is also known as 'state diplomacy', 'continent diplomacy', 'regional diplomacy', 'subnational diplomacy' and 'multilayered diplomacy'.
In 2014, Kerala leveraged its diaspora to promote trade, investment, and cultural exchange with Gulf countries.
Paradiplomacy can broaden the reach and impact of a state's foreign policy.
Paradiplomacy is not a displacement of the state but its complement. It can support or complement the central state-conducted diplomacy, or it can come into conflict or compete with it.
India has used its diaspora community to enhance its economic and political influence abroad.
