Honing Vital Art Of Diplomacy

Foreign policy is one of the main bulwarks to build any nation strong and make its presence felt in the international community. For a country like Nepal, this is even more important as it relies heavily on the cooperation and goodwill of better off nations, which all have extended a helping hand in allowing this tiny Himalayan country to achieve its development goals. Therefore, it was interesting to hear that the present government had taken a prompt decision to recommend the names of more than a dozen individuals to be appointed as ambassadors. Till the time of writing this article, I think the hearing process of these individuals was still taking place in the Parliamentary Hearing Committee which decides on the recommendation of the government.

While some have welcomed this move, there also have been many critics about the appointment process. One such person said the whole process of appointing ambassadors was not pragmatic and the choice of individuals chosen was virtually 'shameful'. This man was none other than a former secretary at the Foreign Ministry and former ambassador Madhuraman Acharya. Many other analysts and media persons have also complained that choosing persons just because of their party affiliations or because they are relatives of political leaders was wrong. Foreign policy is something about which much bigger powers also handle with 'kid gloves'. They know the huge importance of this part of their nation's stance in the international community. Therefore, the ambassadors and other diplomats have an important role to play in making an impact on the government's views to the outside world.

Negative reports

Right now, with old age creeping up and being virtually out of communication with the major leaders and decision makers, this writer personally know none of these individuals whose names have been recommended by the government to represent our country in powerful foreign nations. Still, the pen pusher hopes that they will do a good job and fulfill their duty to further strengthen our ties with these nations where they will represent Nepal. At the same time I am disturbed by many negative reports in the media about these persons, who do not seem to know much about the vital role they have to play in different countries. Many do not seem to know even the 'D' of diplomacy.

Like said by one analyst in a TV interview, these future diplomats must first be put in a 'close camp' to learn about diplomacy and such things while dealing with foreigners. We don't have to look far to learn that in India also, almost one year of training is given to the successful candidates of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) before they are appointed as junior diplomats. Have our own diplomats received any such courses before being appointed as not some junior diplomat but as nothing less than ambassadors? I myself was very fortunate when I was invited to interact with two batches of IFS officers on different occasions and was very impressed by the knowledge they had about diplomacy and other skills in dealing with foreigners. 

Forget the real intricacies of international relations at different positions, diplomats are even trained in dressing codes, table manners, appreciating the bouquet and taste of wines, besides how they can promote their country in trade, tourism, culture and heritage of their nation. During my long stint in the media sector, I met hundreds of diplomats from foreign countries and some of them went on to be very good friends of mine even after they went back to their respective countries after their tenure ended here. 

To talk of some diplomatic gestures of two ambassadors, I still remember one Japanese ambassador who personally made Japanese green tea for me and served it with the traditional Japanese sweets which they have with the tea during tea time. Similarly, a British ambassador also personally made me Darjeeling tea using the right utensils and with the water in a kettle being in just the right temperature. This is a part of British culture and naturally he provided Marie biscuits with other English confectionaries to go with the tea. I mention these events because of the awesome diplomatic tact of these individuals. This should be an inborn part of our own envoys as well, whether they are career diplomats or politically appointed persons. 

National interest 

But to have such diplomatic humbleness, just political affiliations or educational qualifications are not enough. Diplomacy is an art in which first any person appointed by the government should fully understand. Like said by British statesman Winston Churchill to his assistant, 'diplomacy might just be a hot air, but it makes the ride more comfortable like the hot wind filled tires in a vehicle'. Some ambassadors, even though they were politically appointed, were excellent and some others were grossly inefficient.

 So while I am encouraged by the prompt action taken by the government in fulfilling vital positions that could greatly help Nepal, it would not be inappropriate to suggest to the authorities to select candidates on a merit basis and also for those who represent the country to be aware of the important responsibility they carry and at the same time also work in a thorough diplomatic manner to promote the country's interest and not think they have been rewarded by the government to relax and earn dollars only.

(The author is former chief editor of this daily.)