What constitutes attributes of a diplomat?

Yuba Nath Lamsal

Foreign policy is said to be the extension of domestic policy, which is true to a greater degree in idealist approach and theory of international relation. It is true that foreign policy is not an independent entity but a political tool to pursue and protect the national interest defined by a state at home, while diplomacy is a tactical procedure to ensure that the foreign policy goals and priorities are achieved. However, in the realist approach, this notion may not always and necessarily be true and applicable especially in a country like ours. When it comes to practical diplomacy taking the national interest into the uppermost account of a country, tactics and tricks change in pursuing the broader national interest. In such a circumstances, the immediate approach taken in the foreign policy front to cope with the changes taken place and events fast unfolding in the international arena or in the neighborhood, may appear conflicting between what we traditionally view as foreign policy and diplomacy and the ground reality that dictates our quick decision to make our presence felt and ensure that our national interest is best served. In such a situation, international events and developments dictate our decisions back home in setting foreign policy and diplomatic agendas and priorities.

Everything is changeable in foreign policy. What does not change is the national interest. The national interest compels to adjust the tactics and approach in handling the particular situation in the international arena, in which the ability and acumen of a diplomat comes under acid test and public scrutiny. A diplomat is not merely a representative of the government or an organization but a good analyst, perfect communicator, ken observer, perfect negotiator and skilful crisis manager. Language is the basic and most important component and necessity. Diplomacy involves communication and negotiation. One has to be well conversant and fluent in at least one major international language. In practical sense in our context, fluency in English language in both speaking and writing is a must for a diplomat. Knowledge of local language or national language of a country is an added advantage. Although some tend to subscribe to the views that language is not an issue for a diplomat but skill and art of handling issues is more important. In such a case, diplomat has to entirely depend on interpreters. Depending solely upon interpreter is a handicap rather than an advantage. Body languages, use of metaphors, similes and images often count and carry greater significant and meaning in diplomatic exchange of views, negotiation and communication. In the process of tough negotiation, which is often the case in course of discharging the duty as a diplomat in foreign country, one has to have the ability to analyze the words, face expression and the body language of the counterpart to understand the exact meaning and to respond in a correct and perfect manner. The word ‘yes’ or ‘no’ are rarely used in diplomacy unless there is a greater degree of intimacy. At the time of negotiation especially during the crisis period, diplomats often use well calculated words and language and one has to be well conversant in the language of negotiation and communication to understand the exact meaning. In the recent days, some foreign policy and diplomacy pundit suggest the use of direct language and clear messages to make one’s position heard and understood more clearly which, according to them, helps in harmonizing positions of divergent groups and also facilitates to reach a negotiated settlement. However, this is a rare case in diplomacy as diplomats often use ambiguous language which carry double and triple meanings and can only be comprehended from their facial expression and body language. The competence on language of negotiation has the benefit of having the sense of what one’s counterpart intends to say by minutely comparing between the words used and the body language and facial expression and analyzing them. However, when one is not efficient in the common language of communication and depends on interpreter during the negotiation will not have that benefit. Sometimes, it may not be interpreted in a correct manner, which creates problem in understanding the exact position of the counterpart, which complicates the negotiation. Thus, efficiency and fluency in language of communication, for that matter English in our case, is a must for a diplomat.

Observation is yet another key attribute of a diplomat. In other words, a diplomat must be a keen observant so that he/she grasps immediately, quickly and correctly the possible impact on the international arena and also on the national interest of the country he/she represents. It is said that a diplomat has to use his eyes and ears more than the mouth. Nature has given us two ears and two eyes but one mouth. This is because one should listen and watch more and speak less. In other words, a diplomat has to speak only that much which is absolutely necessary and that too after thoroughly observing, listening and analyzing all aspects of the issue and event. Perhaps, this is the reason why a famous Japanese diplomat of the pre-World War I era Kuomura Jurato once said, “A diplomat must use his ears, not his mouth”.

The diplomat assigned in a particular country or for a particular task has not only to constantly keep the government he/she represents informed but also take a quick decision to safeguard the national interest of his/her country. At times events unfold and develop in quick span of time and in a fast manner in which diplomat may not have adequate time to obtain timely suggestions/advise and instructions from his/her government to deal with the situation and take necessary action. In such a circumstance, the diplomat has to use his/her wisdom and instinct to deal with the particular situation and act accordingly. Such acts sometime may create rift with the government he/she represents if the action contradicts the basic position of the government. There are instances that the decision of a diplomat made on his/her own volition have created rift with the government back home and even compelled the diplomat to quit the job. One has to be careful enough to avoid such situation, for which he has to analyze even a minor event and immediately inform the government back home. Thus, the diplomat has always to remain alert, be keen observant and always make homework on all issues and developments and constantly keep on analyzing the situation. Based on the analysis, he/she has to visualize different possible scenarios, which he/she needs to constantly keep on informed the government he/she represents and get necessary advice and instruction on each scenario and development that may take place. This helps the diplomat to make quick decision at times of fast developing scenario and act accordingly that neither can jeopardize the national interest nor does it create any kind of friction with the government.

Apart from defending and protecting national interest and projecting positive image of the country, the job of a diplomat is also to maintain and strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between the country he/she represents and the country one is deputed as a diplomat. Outreach is a key task that a diplomat has always to focus on. The outreach includes, among many others, negotiation, persuasion and contacts building and contact cultivation. The key quality of performing these tasks successfully requires the power persuasion, willingness to take initiative and ability to build and cultivate contacts. These elements help diplomat project positive image of his/her country abroad, win friends and influence the foreign governments, organizations and authorities. For this, media and civil society must be reached, cultivated and kept in good humor that helps in good image of his/her own country and influence the government of a country where he/she has been deputed.

Knowledge on the laws, political system, social and cultural practices and traditions of the country he/she is assigned are other key attributes of a diplomat. In the absence of knowledge of aforementioned elements, the diplomats, however competent one may be, would not succeed as a diplomat and properly discharge the assigned duty. We have a recent instance how a diplomat fails and becomes controversial in the absence of knowledge on the laws and practices of the country and society where the diplomat is assigned. Nepal’s ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma had to be called back as her behavior and remarks were not compatible with the diplomatic practices and norms, which is attributed to her lack of knowledge on the laws and practices of the country she was assigned as a diplomat. 

The job of a diplomat is a multi-faceted one, which requires knowledge in all sectors. In other words, a diplomat, despite knowing the basic nuances of diplomacy and international relation, has to possess the knowledge of everything. It is said that a diplomat has to be a generalist with general knowledge on all aspects. This is more so for a diplomat of a country like Nepal as our government may not afford to depute experts of all sectors and subjects in the missions abroad. Nepal’s missions abroad have to be manned by a handful of staff, which compels the ambassadors and other diplomats to handle all the issues that may come across in course of discharging their duty. A Nepalese ambassador, apart from conducting diplomacy, has to deal with an array of issues pertaining to economic, labor, cultural, social, educational, security, and public relation affairs alike. Diplomacy is more than bureaucratic task, which requires someone to be a skillful negotiator and good public relation experts. This is more so for Nepal as a diplomat has to be an all rounder, for which people capable of such qualities need to be chosen for diplomatic assignments rather than appointing someone who is close to power center.