New era of diplomacy

Global sociology is ignored by and large in Pakistan as our media is dominated by the opinion makers who are incapable of going beyond political rhetoric. Populist and prejudicial, the rhetoric has begun to be played out on wider multinational canvass at the cost of credibility of multilateral mechanisms to resolve conflicts. It is about time we understand that everything does not have to be conspiracy against us.

Man is a social animal, which means he has the ability to coordinate and coexist. This ability makes him dominate others and survive great dangers. Those who do not coordinate for any reason are consigned to isolation and rightly so as if they are not, they become a threat to others.

Similarly, nations realized after World War II that they cannot afford letting anyone go alone and go rogue. After the war in 1940s, they formed a grand body called the United Nations (UN), which has not lost its relevance. This is a forum that shows us the significance of multilateralism for the sake of global peace.

On April 24, the European Union office in Pakistan released a short film to mark International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Though a short film was also released in India on the occasion, there was a difference.

The next day the EU Commission President, H.E. Mrs Ursula von der Leyen announced that “The EU is India’s third most important trade partner. Our bolstered cooperation will bring new technologies, new investment – and opportunities for our citizens. We are the two largest democracies in the world, and together we have a lot to gain.”

It is not because India is anti-Russia and pro-Ukraine. Like Pakistan, India did not condemn Russia at the UN General Assembly session held on Ukraine war. But unlike Pakistan, its prime minister did not take it upon himself to be in the Russian capital with an army of journalists on the evening when the offensive was launched.

Secondly, we are fed a full set of conspiracies about how badly West despises us because of our relationship with China. India, too, has strong relationship with China. Despite border clashes, its trade with China went up 43 percent during COVID-19 days in 2021.

I remember during my visit to China, Indian yoga and dance delegations used to perform together with Chinese artists as a mark of their shared heritage. At the business expos, Indian stalls were attracting a lot of customers while Pakistani businesspeople were vying for public attention.

On March 25, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India and made very high-profile meetings. India is also part of BRICS alliance along with China and Russia. But it has not stopped the EU Commission President from announcing enhancing trade with India and declaring that India is the largest democracy a la the EU.

India being part of anti-US BRICS alliance has not stopped the U.S. as well from including India in anti-China Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD or Quad) alliance.

The problem with us is that pulp politics has rotted our diplomatic potential. When the EU countries and Canada signed an appeal for Pakistan to condemn Russia, we made them a subject of public contempt and whipped up ruckus against them.

When last year Pakistan’s GSP+ status was to be renewed by the EU, our media was brimming with conspiracy theories like the unchecked growth of hemp thicket on the banks of Islamabad rain drains. No one was educating the masses that it is a favour that the EU extends to the poorest countries and in return they are supposed to take care of their minorities, women, journalists, and disable people. The masses were rather told that GSP+ status was some our right and the EU was denying us this right because of some Indian conspiracy.

In July 2021, Shireen Mazari, then human rights minister, tagged the EU ambassador in Pakistan, H.E. Mrs. Androulla Kaminara in a social media message personally to accuse that the EU is not doing enough to halt India from committing human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir.

Similarly, after the Taliban takeover, Western diplomats were flooding Pakistan with “thank you” messages for helping them leave Kabul, Fawad Chaudhry, then information minister, was mocking them for putting restrictions on PIA.

The lesson is clear. We, as a nation, have to develop a spirit of multilateralism if we seek respect and dignity in the world. Our diplomats need to draw a line between domestic politics and international relations. With Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the country’s youngest Foreign Minister, it is hoped that things will change.

On this occasion, the EU ambassador, has retweeted Sherry Rehman’s post calling it a “moment in history”. The ambassador has completed her three years in office, which are considered the most difficult years in diplomacy between Pakistan and the EU. Efforts must be made that such difficult time shall never return for any diplomat in Pakistan and peace should prevail over populist violent trends.

The writer teaches mediatization at IIUI