Over the past two or three weeks, many have observed what appears to be an unusual new trend in the conduct of foreign policy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – what might be described as ‘Facebook diplomacy.’ This development has caused unease among many who observe the conduct of our foreign policy. The manner in which some recent diplomatic messages have been communicated through social media has raised eyebrows among many about this emerging practice.
This is particularly concerning in the context of Bangladesh’s relations with India, one of our largest and most important neighbours. If sensitive diplomatic messages, disagreements or policy positions are increasingly communicated through Facebook posts, comments and counter-reactions, they can create unnecessary uncertainty and confusion. More importantly, such practices may undermine or distract from the government’s broader diplomatic objectives. Social media is, of course, a useful instrument of modern diplomacy. Governments, heads of state, foreign ministries and diplomatic missions around the world routinely use social media. It can complement diplomacy, but it can never be a substitute for traditional professional diplomacy.
The fundamental pillars of diplomacy are dialogue, trust, confidentiality, continuity, and the ability to deliver the right message through the right channel at the right time. When disagreements arise between two countries, the established and generally more effective approach is to first address them through institutional and diplomatic channels rather than immediately taking them into the public domain. Once a position is publicly declared, it often becomes more difficult for either side to subsequently demonstrate flexibility. What we are calling ‘Facebook diplomacy’ may therefore be regarded as a new version of ‘megaphone diplomacy’ – an approach that can ultimately increase distance and mistrust between countries rather than sitting together for meaningful dialogue for peaceful resolution of contentious bilateral issues.
Bangladesh and India have numerous sensitive and important bilateral issues that require careful examination and well-considered decisions. It would not be appropriate to compare the unresolved issues between Bangladesh and India mechanically with Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with other countries. We must always keep in mind that India is not merely our neighbour. Bangladesh and India share a long border, common rivers, substantial trade relations, electricity and energy cooperation, connectivity, security concerns, border management challenges and numerous linkages arising from regional geopolitics. Just as these realities cannot be ignored in conducting relations between these two neighbours, neither can such an important bilateral relationship be managed based on emotion, resentment or instantaneous reactions on social media.
It is against this broader background that the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to India should be viewed. The visit is extremely important for the overall interests of the country and of the people of Bangladesh. The present state of bilateral relations, areas of mutual interest and existing differences require direct discussion at the highest political level. The Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh has also repeatedly emphasised the importance of such engagement. A successful visit could contribute positively not only to bilateral relations but also to Bangladesh’s economy, trade, investment, water security, energy, connectivity and wider regional interests.
National interests cannot be protected by remaining inflexible on demands such as the return of prisoners under the prisoner-exchange arrangement while overlooking vital issues such as trade and the Ganges water-sharing agreement. We should remember that India has withdrawn arrangements relating to transshipment and the use of land ports, resulting in substantial annual economic losses for Bangladesh and adversely affecting our export trade. At the same time, Bangladesh continues to depend on India for electricity and petroleum products.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is due to expire in December. Its continuation is critically important for the socioeconomic development and environmental protection of Bangladesh, particularly the northern regions of the country. And this is without even entering into the question of our dependence on India for certain essential commodities. For all these reasons, the Prime Minister’s visit to India assumes particular importance. It is also precisely why, in the period leading up to the visit, Bangladesh’s diplomatic messaging must be carefully planned, coordinated and focused on clearly defined objectives.
This brings us to an important question. Is the kind of ‘Facebook diplomacy’ we have recently witnessed simply the result of incompetence, lack of experience and inadequate inter-institutional coordination? Or are there entrenched or vested interest groups seeking to weaken or frustrate the government’s India policy or undermine the diplomatic objectives of the Prime Minister’s visit to India?
It is also apparent that some political parties are attaching numerous preconditions to the Prime Minister’s possible visit. Some well-known anti-India commentators and experts are openly campaigning against the visit. Whether such public campaigns and opposition ultimately serve the interests of the country and its people deserves serious consideration. When messages emerge that are inconsistent with or potentially damaging to important foreign-policy initiatives of the state, ordinary citizens will naturally question their source, purpose and possible consequences. We must remember that foreign policy is not the exclusive domain of any individual, group or institution. It is the policy of the state. Conflicting messages from different parts of the government, or statements that could undermine the government’s declared diplomatic objectives, are therefore undesirable.
Bangladesh’s India policy must be guided by Bangladesh’s national interests – neither pro-India nor anti-India. Where our interests converge with India’s, we should expand cooperation. Where differences exist, Bangladesh should articulate our position firmly. And where problems remain unresolved, we should seek realistic solutions through dialogue. Firmness and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, one of the defining characteristics of effective diplomacy is the ability to remain firm in defending the national interest while keeping the doors of dialogue open.
What Bangladesh needs most in the conduct of its foreign policy is professionalism, consistency and coordination. We must ensure that no individual or group – whether motivated by political, personal or institutional interests – is allowed to place those interests above Bangladesh’s broader national interest in relation to the Prime Minister’s visit to India. Before the visit, statements or actions that generate unnecessary tension or narrow the space for constructive dialogue should be avoided. This does not mean that Bangladesh should refrain from raising its legitimate demands and concerns. On the contrary, they must be raised and, when necessary, raised with considerable firmness. But knowing where, when and how to raise them is precisely the art of diplomacy.
Achieving popularity on social media and protecting a country’s long-term diplomatic interests are two very different things. A Facebook post may generate applause or controversy for a few hours, but an ill-considered diplomatic message can leave scars on relations between two countries that endure for years. Bangladesh must therefore move away from this culture of ‘Facebook diplomacy’ and strengthen professional, institutional and national-interest-based diplomacy. We must remain vigilant so that the activities of entrenched or vested interest groups do not obstruct or derail the Prime Minister’s important visit to India. The expectation must be that, overcoming all obstacles, the Prime Minister will undertake the visit and advance a dignified, pragmatic and mutually beneficial relationship with India while giving the highest priority to Bangladesh’s national interests.
In foreign policy, countries may have friends and partners, and they may also have disagreements. But ultimately, there should be only one determining principle behind Bangladesh’s foreign policy: Bangladesh’s national interest.
Long live Bangladesh.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author
The writer is a Former Ambassador and Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
