Diplomatic Delusion

To be able to correct a problem, we first have to acknowledge that a problem exists. If we do not make this acknowledgement, then we will not address the problem and it will not be corrected.

- Aakar Patel

The first step is to accept that there is an issue and then we can move on to resolving it.

The problem we are discussing today is the effectiveness of personalised diplomacy of the sort that we have seen since 2014. It is centred around such things as physical interaction and displays of affection, grand events in honour of guests, and the idea that the ‘friendship’ that is produced by these actions will help resolve issues.

Why are we discussing this today? It is of course that the government of India is today struggling to find its place in the world. Nations it was convinced were friends if not allies have spanked it gratuitously, and it has been forced to turn to nations it saw till a few days ago as rivals if not enemies.

This is the problem. To address it, we will first have to acknowledge that it exists. This will not be easy for this government because it has rested its entire performance on the genius of one individual. To accept there is a problem is to acknowledge that the genius has not worked as had been presumed. But one of the jobs of the columnist is to offer unsolicited opinion and in times of crisis especially we must put our shoulder to the wheel.