Source:

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-raja-mandala-time-for-techplomacy/

 

Model Answer:

Recent advances in technology have opened up vast new areas of communication, cooperation and even friction among nations in their pursuit of security, development and progress. Science and technology today transcend almost all areas of international affairs. The role of science and technology in international affairs is so intrinsic that it is rarely recognised as a separate entity.

Main Body:

As the technological era unfolds, new actors are engaging with  States in a new type of diplomacy, one driven by technology. Developed nations have been quick to adapt to these technologies and recognise that in the emerging diplomatic environment new electronic mechanisms must complement traditional diplomacy. The contribution made in N-S divide-

1. Defence- Advanced defence technologies have always provided the superiority needed by States for defence and security as well as for power positioning in international affairs. Eg- India has held a range of talks on the sale of indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile and supersonic Bramhos missile to Vietnam.
2. Space- Advances in space technologies over the past few decades have facilitated extensive use of outer space for scientific, commercial and military-oriented applications, and outer space is now indisputably acknowledged as the new critical dimension of modern warfare strategies, as well as national security calculus. Eg- The SAARC satellite which is being spearheaded by ISRO, is considered an excellent example of the Indian policy of strengthening relations with the immediate neighbours.
3. Cyber space is an area where technology and international relations are intertwined more intrinsically than many other domains of technology in international affairs.eg example is the Edward Snowden controversy exposing the US Government’s PRISM programme.
4. Climate change is the defining issue of our times. In this challenge S&T can not only empower the climate negotiators with comprehensive information, but also help them in arriving at diplomatic agreements with other major players

 

Different aspects of the role of science, technology and innovation in foreign policy, diplomacy and I.R. can be viewed in terms of three different dimensions of science diplomacy:

• Science in Diplomacy—using scientific advisory to achieve foreign policy objectives. Eg- Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
• Science for Diplomacy—using S&T cooperation to improve relations between countries. It comes into play on sensitive issues of national security, where collaboration between scientists can help to facilitate political negotiations. Eg- for international negotiations on human health and climate policy.
• Diplomacy for Science—facilitating international scientific cooperation, and getting foreign S&T inputs for indigenous progress. Eg- Flagship international projects, such as the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’ (ITER) in France and the ‘Large Hadron Collider’ (LHC) projects are good examples where diplomacy has been successful in multinational teams for a major common scientific objective.

India has taken major strides in science and technology since its independence and is recognised today for its achievements in many fields ranging from agriculture, textiles, healthcare and pharmaceuticals to info-tech, biotechnology, space technology, and nuclear technology. For instance,

1. Indian nuclear industry experts will act as consultants and share experience with Bangladeshi specialists for the Rooppur project,. This is the maiden Indo-Russian venture in civil nuclear sector abroad and the initiative can be replicated in Sri Lanka in future.
2. Recently, India launched to  a SAARC satellite, which may be regarded as a part of regional diplomacy. These are excellent steps towards utilization of space for diplomacy.

Despite India’s new-found image and its clear aspiration for a great power identity, there has been a gap in how India perceives itself and how others see it.

• In the absence of a ‘Grand National Strategy’, Indian policy makers have been found struggling to define how to use this leverage, since there is no clear consensus concerning the nature and scope of the Indian national interest.
• Hence, despite innumerable pockets of excellence and widespread talent and huge demographic advantage, India has yet to consolidate all the potentials for a robust Comprehensive National Power (CNP) that should make it one of the three most powerful nations in the world.
• India’s biggest weakness has been its inability to exercise regional leadership. Far from articulating a clear and attractive vision for the region, India remains a reactive force to regional situations and lacks the initiative to propose bold projects, for example, creation of a pan-South Asian energy independence initiative or a regional carbon emission management initiative or some such pan-Asian idea.
• India has however been slow in creating the right ecosystem for rapid growth of technology and innovation, both in the public and private sector to achieve a high degree of self-reliance in high-priority areas.
• A related challenge to external policy is managing restrictive/regulatory trade regimes and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues to enable India to make the technology transition in a rapid and smooth manner.

Way Forward:

The sheer strength of the knowledge based workforce in India has created a new face for India to qualify as a very important partner in techno-economic affairs of the world. It is imperative that policy makers and administrators take serious note of this historic opportunity and steer the country to new heights in science and technology in the 21st century.

• India must put together a national innovation system to lay the foundation for the next phase of acquiring leadership in industries and technologies of dual-use nature.
• There is urgent need to introduce S&T training and familiarisation of the young diplomatic cadre for nuanced understanding of technologies of high impact to international relations.
• Similarly, young scientists/ technologists need familiarisation with foreign policy priorities for orienting their efforts towards providing best support to the international agenda of power projection of India.
• There is a need for synchronisation of national expertise in security analysis, strategic technology planning along with foreign policy and international law.
• There is an urgent need for a special foreign policy focus on outer space and cyber space vulnerabilities. Most foreign policy challenges of the future will be concentrated in these two new domains because of their vital links to strategic affairs.
• Like China, India also needs a proactive and aggressive approach to technology planning, development, acquisition and an innovative approach to transform its potential strengths into major capabilities.

Conclusion:

• Technology and economics will be the common denominators of future progress for India. A progressive foreign policy backed with knowledge-based diplomacy can position India as regional power and a major force in international affairs.
• Technological capacity-based diplomacy may very well hold the key to deepening relationships both regionally and internationally for India.