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ISSN 2063-5346
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DEFINING DEFENCE DIPLOMACY

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Samruddhi Pathak1*, Dr. Alvite Singh Ningthoujam2 .
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.si5.0129

Abstract

Cognizance of theory in international politics is important to practise instruments of statecraft. The focus of this paper is to establish what the term ‘defence diplomacy’ consists of and what it does not. Before jumping to it, this paper discusses the nuances of terms, diplomacy, foreign policy and statecraft, that are used interchangeably in academia and officially quite often. It highlights the role of diplomacy and statecraft in a country’s foreign policy strategy and how they are different from each other. Later, this paper also narrows down the definition of defence diplomacy. It will discuss nuances between defence, military and arms diplomacy since these terms are also used interchangeably. Unconscious use of these terms, due to lack of clarity of their definition, leads to textual ambiguity and avoidable complexity seeping in writings. The paper will describe the idea of diplomacy from the texts by Sun Tzu until now, to the 21st century. Russia-Ukraine conflict and responses of other countries are discussed to track a change in statecraft. It will also discuss the scope for further research on impact of global order on defence diplomacy. Discussion and clarity on these terms becomes important as in the 21st century, the role of uniformed personnel is expanding and ways of subduing an enemy have also changed. Also, even the policy makers need to be aware about the terms they mention and what does that term include

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