What Is Diplomacy in International Relations?

Diplomacy has always been at the heart of India's interactions with global powers. It's unique in several ways, including India's non-alignment principle, which preserves its autonomy in foreign policy decisions, and its multilateralism, which allows India to engage across many organisations throughout the region and worldwide as the country contributes to and participates in following international laws.

What is diplomacy exactly, and why does it matter? Diplomacy in international relations describes the use of language and institutional discourse between state actors and governments to achieve their government’s goals peacefully. The process of diplomacy involves a dialogue between governments. The goal is for each side to get what they want from each other or peacefully reduce the effects of international crises. 

Additionally, when you engage in diplomacy, the interaction can foster trade, cultural understanding, and knowledge exchange between countries. While closely related to foreign policy, diplomacy is just one crucial aspect of an overall foreign policy strategy to successfully conduct international relations, which can reduce the possibility of conflict or economic sanctions. 

Read further to discover why diplomacy in international relations is crucial and how it relates to aspects of the Vienna Convention and various types of diplomacy.

Why is diplomacy in international relations important?

Diplomacy is vital in international relations because it helps build relationships between your country and other countries to solve conflicts peacefully. Additionally, diplomacy provides a framework for countries to discuss global issues, such as climate change, which may affect various countries differently. Solving this issue requires international participation, and it warrants the contribution of diplomatic strategies from each country.  

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

In 1961, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations produced a set of rules to guide international relations, giving rise to a modern framework of bilateral diplomacy to which nations can adhere. 

Below, you can review a summary of this framework on bilateral diplomacy, which includes four key points:

1. Creation of permanent diplomatic relationships between states based on mutual consent with conditions of their departure from that relationship

2. Creation of official representatives for each state to cultivate and promote friendly relationships

3. Protection of sending state’s interests and nationals within the host state.

4. Inviolability—protecting diplomatic agents, their goals, and communications through necessary privileges as required by their diplomatic mission.

Types of diplomacy

Diplomacy in international relations takes various forms as diplomats and governments negotiate. It’s helpful to think of each type of diplomacy as a different strategy you can take to achieve your state’s goals. Let’s examine a few examples:

• Soft power: A diplomatic approach in which you leverage a government’s relationships with other institutions and diplomats to achieve your goals through favour and influence

• Monetary diplomacy: Leverages the use of loans and aid to achieve their goals through economic domination of another state

• Gunboat diplomacy: Occurs when you threaten the actual theoretical use of military strength to intimidate and achieve your nation’s goals

• Public diplomacy: This method uses communication and messaging from one state to another to appeal to and influence the people of the foreign government instead of its diplomats. It might use propaganda to sway those living in the other nation. 

• Bilateral diplomacy: Covers a range of rules formalised through the Vienna Convention regarding specific aspects of political diplomacy between two countries. The primary characteristic of this method is when direct discourse occurs between two nations.

• Multilateral diplomacy: This is a contemporary approach to diplomacy, which involves the negotiation and diplomatic relations between multiple countries, organisations, and national corporations through a singular convention or forum.

Who uses diplomacy in international relations?

Diplomats commonly use diplomacy to help maintain positive relationships worldwide. If you work in this role, you will use it to cultivate good relations between countries or other global institutions while solving political and economic crises. Those who utilise the art of international relations work for various entities, such as the Government of India, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), multinational corporations, think tanks, and the media. 

If you’re interested in international relations and diplomacy as a career, you might pursue one of several jobs in this space. Examples include roles like journalist, political strategist, professor, ambassador, public affairs, and international relations consultant. 

Below, find the average annual salary of each position according to October 2024 data. 

• Ambassador: ₹2,08,409 [1]

• Journalist: ₹3,06,363 [2]

• Political consultant: ₹11,00,475 [3]

• Professor: ₹8,37,644 [4]

• Public affairs specialist: ₹5,08,367 [5]

What skills make a good diplomat?

To become a good diplomat, you need in-depth training in history, culture, and international relations, especially current affairs, given the constantly changing nature of global problems. Further understanding of political and economic relations is vital for navigating international difficulties and finding solutions that benefit your country. 

If you choose to become a diplomat, it’s also crucial for you to acquire practical skills through internships during and after university so that you learn how to handle conflict in critical situations. Your ability to do this depends on your preparedness in an academic setting while developing the skills to pivot and react in a work environment. Let’s look at some other important skills you need to possess as a diplomat:

• Professionalism: As a diplomat, you might operate in high-pressure situations, forcing you to maintain your composure during negotiations and to respect governmental chains of command.

• Integrity: Diplomats uphold a country's cultural and political values and maintain their own honesty and integrity, as well as those of the people they represent.

• Problem-solving: With the speed of information in international relations, plans are constantly changing, which means you, as a diplomat, must adjust accordingly when plans do shift and remain resilient under pressure. Even with this added challenge, you must be able to view the totality of an issue to find a suitable solution.

• Communication: Diplomats communicate with other world leaders, their governments, and the people they represent. This means they must produce reports and statements communicating the results or progress of ongoing negotiations. Additionally, they must convey their thoughts while listening actively to someone else’s perspective.

• Leadership: Diplomats lead and work within teams, meaning effective organisation and leadership are vital to successful diplomatic missions. You must gather and use information to drive effective decisions as a leader.

Getting started in diplomacy in international relations

A typical career path for acquiring a job in international relations begins with receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science and then moving on to a master’s or PhD in political science or international relations. 

Let’s look at some top universities in India that offer international relations courses and teach diplomacy in international relations.

Where to study

Top universities to study international relations include:

• Jawaharlal Nehru University

• ​​Christ University

• Symbiosis International University

• Jadavpur University

Jawaharlal Nehru University

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), located in New Delhi, has a renowned School of International Studies that publishes a premiere academic quarterly journal. JNU offers courses in:

• MA in Politics (international studies)

• MA in Economics (with specialisation in the world economy)

• MPhil and PhD programmes in 19 specialities

Christ University

Christ University, located in Bengaluru, has various undergraduate and graduate programmes, including:

• BA in History/Political Science

• MA in International Studies

• PhD in International Studies

• MA in Public Policy

Symbiosis International University

Symbiosis International University, located in Pune, includes the Symbiosis School of International Studies, which is home to the courses:

• MA in International Studies

• MA in African Studies, Geoeconomics, and Foreign Policy

Jadavpur University

Jadavpur University, located in Kolkata, has both undergraduate and graduate courses in its International Relations Department:

• BA in Political Science

• MA in Political Science with International Relations

• PhD in International Relations

• MPhil in International Relations

Next steps with Coursera

Diplomacy is a critical element in maintaining positive international relations. To theoretically understand the foundations of diplomacy, explore the topic further with the Global Diplomacy—Diplomacy in the Modern World Course from the University of London. Try the MA in International Relations, Security, and Strategy from O.P. Jindal Global University to further your international relations education. You can find both options, among many others, on Coursera.