The recent political turmoil in neighbouring Bangladesh, culminating in the unexpected removal of four-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has sent shockwaves across the globe.
The escalation of a student protest against job reservations into a violent, communal conflict was a startling turn of events. India, closely observing these developments, has been left grappling with questions about its intelligence capabilities and diplomatic influence in the region.
The swift departure of Sheikh Hasina was followed by a surge of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, including widespread attacks on Hindu temples.
The question arises whether India’s diplomatic efforts could have been bolstered by military diplomacy to potentially influence the Bangladesh Army and mitigate these anti-Hasina and anti-India activities.
Distinct Roles Of Military And Diplomacy
- Diplomacy Defined: Diplomacy involves managing international relations, whether between two nations or multiple countries, through peaceful negotiations and fostering good relationships.
- When Diplomacy Fails: If diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful, conflicts may escalate to the use of military force.
- Misconception: The term “military diplomacy” might seem contradictory, similar to “military intelligence.” However, it refers to the non-violent use of military resources to support a country’s foreign policy goals.
- Key Concept: Military diplomacy can be understood as utilising the skills and discipline of the armed forces in non-combat roles to achieve national and international objectives.
- Historical Context: In the past, powerful nations would use the threat of force to achieve their aims, a practice known as “gunboat diplomacy,” particularly common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Military Diplomacy
Nature of Engagement: Uses non-violent military resources like joint exercises and cultural exchanges to advance diplomatic goals, often as a form of soft power.
Objectives: Builds trust and security ties through military collaboration, addressing security concerns without using force.
Methods and Tools: Engages with military assets, including peacekeeping and joint exercises, to demonstrate commitment to security.
Perception and Approach: Seen as proactive and assertive, using military presence to influence and deter threats.
Traditional Diplomacy
Nature of Engagement: Focuses on peaceful negotiations and formal diplomatic relations to resolve conflicts and foster cooperation.
Objectives: Manages political, economic, and social issues through dialogue, aiming to maintain peace and stability.
Methods and Tools: Utilises formal channels like embassies and treaties, relying on negotiation and diplomatic protocols.
Perception and Approach: Viewed as the primary means of international relations, prioritising peaceful dialogue over coercion.
The Role Of Military Diplomacy Today
- High Security Readiness: In today’s world, filled with unpredictable geopolitical challenges, a nation must maintain strong security preparedness.
- Comprehensive National Power (CNP): CNP is the foundation of national security, combining economic strength, military power, and social harmony to ensure political stability, resource availability, and global respect.
- Supporting National Strategy: Military diplomacy helps achieve security and foreign policy goals, working alongside a nation’s broader strategy.
- Supplementing Foreign Policy: Military diplomacy doesn’t replace a nation’s foreign or security policies; it complements them, enhancing defence cooperation and fostering economic and confidence-building ties.
- Trust Building: The core objective of military diplomacy is to build trust between nations, which is essential for strong international relations.
- Reinforcing Diplomatic Relations: Military diplomacy strengthens diplomatic ties through strategic actions and covert operations.
- Covert Operations: The work of military diplomats often remains under the radar, without much media attention.
- Strategic Military Presence: A physical military presence in key locations is vital for influencing global activities and managing issues effectively.
What Is Military Diplomacy, And What Is Not?
Not all military actions fall under military diplomacy. For instance, India’s military interventions, such as Operation Cactus in the Maldives (1988) or the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, are not considered military diplomacy.
India’s involvement in numerous UN Peacekeeping Missions since the 1950s is a clear example of its military diplomacy efforts.
The Indian Navy’s successful operations to rescue hostages from pirates in the West Asian region highlight effective military diplomacy.
India’s Historical Approach To Military Diplomacy
- Nehru’s Pacifist Policy: India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, adopted a pacifist and non-aligned stance in foreign policy, a direction largely continued by subsequent governments.
- Slow Start in Military Diplomacy: Initially, India struggled to effectively use military diplomacy as a tool for national security and foreign policy. Nehru’s government was wary of involving the military in the Ministry of Defence and key decision-making processes.
- Nehru’s Global Vision: Despite reservations, Nehru played a significant role on the international stage. He chaired the UN Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission in 1953 and sent a substantial contingent, including a field ambulance, to South Korea. Additionally, he supported sending troops on UN missions to conflict zones, a practice that has grown and continues today, earning India global respect.
India’s Evolving Military Diplomacy
- Opening Military Training: Over the past decades, India has expanded its military training institutions to include participants from many Western and Afro-Asian nations.
- Defence Attaches Abroad: India currently has around 52 military/defence attaches (MAs/DAs) stationed abroad and hosts approximately 102 from foreign nations in New Delhi. These positions play a crucial role in fostering relationships that extend beyond defence.
- Role of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA): Established in March 2002, the DIA oversees India’s MAs and DAs posted abroad and coordinates with their counterparts from foreign nations in New Delhi. To strengthen India’s military diplomacy, the DIA needs additional powers and resources, both domestically and internationally, to further the nation’s strategic interests.
- Untapped Potential: Military diplomacy remains an underutilised aspect of India’s Comprehensive National Power (CNP). A comprehensive and focused effort is needed to fully leverage this tool for achieving national objectives.
India’s Success In Military Diplomacy
India has effectively used military diplomacy to strengthen international relationships and bolster its strategic position. Here are some key examples of India’s success in this area:
- 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: The Indian Navy provided crucial aid to countries like Indonesia and Sri Lanka, demonstrating India’s ability to handle humanitarian crises and reinforcing its role as a regional leader.
- Southern Sudan Assistance: India’s Armed Forces offered medical aid and logistical support during crises in Southern Sudan, enhancing India’s reputation in global humanitarian efforts.
- Global Peacekeeping Contributions: India has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions since the 1950s, using this platform to help resolve conflicts and build strong diplomatic ties with participating nations.
- Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy Efforts: The Indian Navy’s operations in the Gulf of Aden have protected shipping routes and rescued hostages from Somali pirates, boosting India’s maritime security profile and diplomatic relations with affected countries.
- Malabar Exercise: A naval exercise with the U.S. and Japan that has become a key platform for enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Yudh Abhyas: This exercise with the U.S. focuses on joint military operations, strengthening defence ties and reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
- Defence Partnerships: India has signed agreements with nations like the U.S., Japan, and Australia, promoting technology transfer, joint training, and defence procurement, thereby improving its military capabilities and deepening strategic relationships.
- Operation Cactus (1988): India intervened in the Maldives to prevent a coup, showcasing its commitment to regional stability and reinforcing its role as a stabilising force in South Asia.
Source: Military diplomacy: A critical element of statecraft
Note: This article builds on key concepts from the original source, with our editorial team enhancing it by incorporating insights from additional references.