E-Diplomacy : future of international relations

                              E-Diplomacy

                                                                     (Mains: GS Paper III: Science & Technology)

Context:

Ø The first India-Australia virtual leaders’ summit was recently conducted on June 4 where the two nations discussed issues ranging from military interoperability to jointly tackling COVID-19.

 

 

Ø The summit was important because Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian delegation were on a video conference call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Australian delegation.

 

Earlier modes of conducting diplomacy:

 

Ø The formal negotiations during summits, the closed-door restricted sessions, the walks in the woods, the photo-ops and the outreach to live audiences in the host and home countries are all part of the package.

 

 Present scenario:

 

Ø Nation states are left with no choice but to adapt: as E-summits are physically safer for leaders and also time-saving and economising events where costly journeys can be avoided.

 

 

For examples:

                  Mr. Modi has engaged in a few multilateral ‘e-diplomacy’ rounds since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ø SAARC leaders’ video conference on March 15.

Ø Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit via video link on March 26.

Ø Non-Aligned Movement virtual summit on May 4.

Ø India-Australia summit was elaborate and involved the exchange of multiple agreements.

                 

 

Rising issues:

 

Ø Without personal interactions behind closed door, it is doubtful if anything meaningful will come out.

Ø online summits will simply not satisfy the broader political goals and bigger objectives that head s of state carry with them

Ø There is a danger that ‘e-diplomacy’ will become less productive in terms of deliverables, especially where crucial sticking points need ironing out.

Ø Threat to cyber security: - Another threat to virtual summits comes from cyber insecurity.

Ø E-diplomacy is riskier and could be subject to hacking of classified content, making the leaders warier.

 

Ø This could reduce the spontaneity of their conversations.

Ø It is arguable whether new ideas or proposals which entail geo-strategic alignments can emanate out of e-summits.