Is Diplomacy a New Tool for Deterrence?

Abstract

The main argument of this paper is to project how diplomacy can be used as the new tool for deterrence. In addition to conventional methods of deterrence, diplomacy is also considered to be an alternative tool. India has jumped on the bandwagon of using its diplomatic clout towards global engagement, addressing pressing issues of human sufferance, security and world order. India’s diplomatic advances have bypassed the South Asian region, after giving due preference to its neighbours, with far reaching impacts on its bilateral relations with other global powers in far west and east. India’s timely confrontations with its tough neighbours have posed immense challenges that New Delhi often tactfully decided to handle diplomatically. This paper delivers a detailed study of India’s diplomatic outreaches and how New Delhi has off late placed itself in a position where it can maintain distinctive relationships with individual countries at once. The world rightly acknowledges India’s ability to talk to different countries at different levels at the same time, especially at the time when the global order is very seemingly divided. This puts India at an advantageous position diplomatically, providing it with the ability to use it diplomatic clout as deterrence.