International Relations

C21(c) - Diplomacy

Date: Jun 14 | Time: 03:30pm to 05:00pm | Location: Zoom (see details/voir détails)

Chair/Président/Présidente : Jérémie Cornut (Simon Fraser University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Jérémie Cornut (Simon Fraser University)

Zoom Meeting Link | Meeting ID : 863 3667 3770 | Password: 427642

India’s Democratic Recession and the Rise of Nationalist Foreign Policy: Saira Bano (Thompson Rivers University)
Abstract: India has been known for its vibrant and diverse democracy. However, the country's reputation as a democratic role model for other developing nations is increasingly under threat due to the nationalist policies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rising polarization along religious lines, and weakening of democratic institutions. This erosion of democratic values has led to a more assertive and nationalist foreign policy, with India adopting a confrontational stance towards its neighbors, particularly Pakistan and China. India has sought to align itself more closely with the US and other democracies to counter the rise of China. The United States and other democratic nations have partnered with India based on shared democratic values and institutions. Ironically, the erosion of democratic values and institutions could ultimately undermine India's alignment with other democracies. This paper argues that India's shift towards authoritarian tendency is likely to shape the country's nationalist foreign policy and its interactions with other democratic states, making it less powerful and unpredictable international actor. This has significant implications for the stability of the global order, as India is a major player in the region and a key partner for many democratic countries.

Sino-Russian public diplomacy in a Changing World Order after Russia-Ukraine crisis: Xuan Li (Jinan University)
Abstract: After the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, "hot wars" occurred frequently around the world. In 2023, the border crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict showed the intensification of global geopolitical games and conflicts. In this context, China is trying to participate in conflict mediation and work with Russia to promote the reconstruction of the global order after the epidemic. In internal exchange activities, in addition to head-of-state diplomacy, China and Russia also continue to promote public diplomacy in economic, trade and cultural aspects. However, at the 10th anniversary meeting of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, Russian experts expressed concerns that the “Belt and Road Initiative” is mainly economic in nature and that the “Belt and Road Initiative” is insufficiently connected with the Eurasian Economic Union. Sino-Russian public diplomacy in cultural aspects also encountered insufficient audience interest. On the other hand, in terms of external cooperation especially international communication, Russia and China uphold different perspectives. Russia has concluded information confrontation from the "information warfare" based on the experience of collapse of Soviet Union, while China tried to use traditional culture to refine Chinese international communication that serves the " Community of Common Destiny " after Xi’s “531” speech. This difference makes it difficult for China and Russia to coordinate in the field of international communication. Although there are difficulties, in view of the deteriorating attitudes towards China and Russia in the international public opinion, China and Russia will promote the diversification and in-depth public diplomacy under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy in the future.

Emerging Southern Powers’ Scientific Diplomacy: Shaping Global Relations: Amabilly Bonacina (Université de Montréal)
Abstract: In the post-COVID-19 era, the importance of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in transnational relations has increased. Promote STI capabilities, coordinated public policies, together with diplomacy, are key to achieving national development goals. The subfield that studies these relationships is science diplomacy (SD). SD, as a field, has traditionally focused on the experiences of the North, with little attention paid to the nations of the South until recently. Seeking to contribute to this growing literature, my objective is to investigate the motivation behind emerging Southern nations’ investment in science diplomacy. Through documentary analysis and archival research, we sought to answer the following question: why do emerging powers of the South invest specifically in science diplomacy programs? The study posits that these southern powers strategically use this type of diplomacy to impact global multipolarity, placing themselves as an agent in the international system. Using a global IR framework, this work investigates the experiences of these countries through three levels: local, national, and international, decentralizing the state as the sole actor in this complex context of science diplomacy relations. The study will focus on two case studies: Brazil and South Africa. By dissecting how these emerging powers use these programs to influence the global order and drive their national agendas, this research aims to reveal the intricate pathways and complexities that Southern nations face within the global system.