In Era of Social Distancing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Must Reimagine Diplomacy

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In The Media

Carnegie India

In Era of Social Distancing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Must Reimagine Diplomacy

How does diplomacy work in the age of social distancing and coronavirus?

By Rudra Chaudhuri

Published on May 12, 2020

Source: Print

How does diplomacy work in the age of social distancing and coronavirus?

In principle, diplomacy is about managing a country’s international affairs. It is also, to over-interpret the words of the Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz, an extension of politics. For historians of the 1950s, such as Humphrey Trevelyan, the success of a diplomat, and hence of diplomacy, was measured by the ability of these ‘envoys ordinary’ to ‘endure a regular diet of official parties’.

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This article was originally published by the Print.

About the Author

Rudra Chaudhuri

Former Director, Carnegie India

Rudra Chaudhuri was the director of Carnegie India. His research focuses on the diplomatic history of South Asia, contemporary security issues, and the important role of emerging technologies and digital public infrastructure in diplomacy, statecraft, and development. He and his team at Carnegie India chair and convene the Global Technology Summit, co-hosted with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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