“Minutes in Diplomacy"
In the era, when 'push through' by the diplomacies across the globe is at high tide to prevent the possibility of a major conflict, acquaintance become friends. But friends may not entertain bonhomie always, one such occasion is, when interference is made in others issues. This led me coin a term called “Minutemacy” for an approach, which is unfolding its horizon in the world of Indian diplomacy. The term is a Portmanteau of two words “Minutes and Diplomacy”, which derives its inspiration from the recent style adopted by the Indian External Affairs Ministry to convey its message to counter the narratives and comments made by those who interfere in India’s regional affairs. Examples of such interference made by the governments of Canada, Maldives, Germany and the United States should be taken into account with regard to this new approach ‘Minutmacy’.
With the ongoing tussle between Republic of India and Canada respect to the khalistani separatist movement is the reason behind the strained ties between these countries. The inaction in the part of Canadian government to subjugate the extremist groups spearheaded by khalistani sympathizers and their aggressive public out show of hate towards India in terms of justifying the assassination of former PM of India Indira Gandhi, followed by the siege of Indian high commission in Canada by the separatist, and calling for the killing of Indian diplomats in Canada has kept the intensity of diplomatic counters brewing for a long time. This reached its final showdown when both countries expelled their counter part diplomats after the false accusation made by PM Justin Trudeau in the Canadian parliament for the death of a Canadian Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar against Indian Government without any proper evidence. If you take a closer look at the time spent by the Canadian envoy when he was summoned for the remarks by their PM, it is barely a few minutes from entry till exit in the south block venue.
In the second case the South Block venue (where India’s MEA is situated) followed the same approach with Maldivian Envoy when he was summoned for their government ministers insulting and inappropriate post on social media about Indian PM following his Lakshadweep visit, the envoy spent barely few minutes including his entry and exit. In the 3rd instance of German envoy summoned for their respective government comment on Judicial Proceedings of accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his involvement in misappropriation of government funds and money laundering through his liquor gate scandal, the envoy spent exactly 5 minutes again.
In the case of America their envoy was summoned for 40 minutes straight and she was lodged with strong condemnation for their state departments remark on the issue for which the German envoy was summoned. In all the above the cases it is barely few minutes were spared for the envoys. This clearly indicates the significance that India gives to their fellow counterparts for their interference in Internal affairs.
This signals the change in approach and methodology taken by the Indian foreign policy makers when their Sovereignty is at stake by the interference of the others in their domestic affairs. It also shows that they never fail to surprise the fellow governments envoy with their ‘Minutmacy’. The pattern that emerges from all the above 4 instances clearly signals a body language that India wants to exhibit and convey. The stakeholders need to take note of this change while dealing with India in the emerging world order.
