Effective virtual diplomacy post-pandemic stressed

Islamabad : The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way diplomacy was conducted and the transformation will see it practiced more and more through virtual meetings in the online world. The trend, which only looks like escalating in the foreseeable future, is expected to have a significant impact on international relations going forward, and will require capacity building of diplomats and other Foreign Service officials for enhanced productivity and output.

The views were shared by experts during a webinar titled ‘Emerging Trends in International Relations & Diplomacy and Pakistan’ here. The event was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) as part of its webinar series, ‘Covid-19: Global Challenges, National Response’.

The session jointly chaired by former finance secretary and IPS National Academic Council member Dr Waqar Masood Khan and IPS executive president Khalid Rahman had former ambassadors Syed Abrar Hussain and Tajammul Altaf as key speakers, who were unanimous that the coronavirus pandemic has affected the world massively and its impact was already being felt at the local, regional and international levels in multifarious ways. According to them, international diplomacy is one area that is at the centre of the whole phenomenon, and while it has a huge role in tackling the global pandemic, it may also have its shape, form and practices altered significantly in the post-COVID-19 world.

Former ambassador Abrar opined that diplomatic practices will change significantly in the post-pandemic world where online meetings, discussions and deliberations will become a norm.

He pointed out that the European Council was the first major organization that started conducting its meeting online following the global lockdown, after which many international bodies like the UN Security Council, IMF, World Bank and G20 had started holding a lot of their activities online.

“Such developments will demand new, innovative ways to create a diplomatic impact, as well as a bit of capacity building at the practitioners' end, as previous practices like VVIP reception and hosting of dignitaries will eventually wither away to some extent,” he said.

Speaking of the impact of the pandemic on international relations, the former envoy said the possibilities of a severe recession loomed large, which would be made worse by escalating unemployment all over the world.

He said the situation would be a test of abilities of the global leadership and especially for the major powers which would be required to step up and play an international role. “The general impression is that China is emerging as a leader in this scenario whereas the US is losing its influence. There however is still a possibility that the Western countries could unite against China. Either way new international alliances could be forged whereas a completely new world order is also a possibility,” he said.

The panellist said that Pakistan, in the given circumstances, should continue to endorse all global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, promote collective efforts within the regional forums like OIC and SAARC, practice efficient economic diplomacy, and strengthen its relations with expatriates who generally send remittances to the country in big numbers but presently are in need of help themselves.

He added that Pakistan should make all-out efforts to internationally highlight the plight of Indian Occupied Kashmir in the current situation and take like-minded countries on board to jointly raise the issue at the global platforms.

Former ambassador Altaf too was of the opinion that the global diplomacy, in the near future, will mostly be virtual and will be heavily based, rather dependent, on technology.

He said the world seemed to be divided into visible blocs. “Though it is still too early to say how things will shape up in terms of international relations and global politics, going by early signs it seems that the US is now backtracking on its earlier standpoint of global primacy and leadership.”

The expert said the process of globalisation, which was expanding fast until recently, was also taking a big hit, especially with America trying to retain its allies from the West by upholding nationalism and protectionism while maintaining that first they need to save their own people and economies.