Shifts in the global economy are altering the landscape of international diplomacy in significant and interesting ways. In Asia, we are seeing the emergence of new forms of cultural diplomacy, as India, China and various mid-tier countries jostle for regional influence. The idea of reviving the Silk Roads for the 21st century through the Belt and Road Initiative, for example, means history and culture are being refashioned to build trade and diplomatic relations across the region.
With its themes of bilateral cooperation in Tibetan ‘archaeology’, Kung Fu Yoga explored new ground as a diplomatic initiative attempting to reach vast audiences in both China and India. Its lack of success in India suggests the outcomes of such diplomacy remain unpredictable. What is certain however, is that culture is now among those areas, which governments in Asia view as a resource for building state-state and people-people ties beyond their territorial borders. Modi’s Yoga and Buddhism diplomacies are other notable examples of this fast-evolving soft-power landscape in the region.
Education has emerged as another key sector in which public diplomacy plays out in diverse forms. In the case of tertiary international students moving in unprecedented numbers around the world (approximately 5 million in 2016, a rise of 67% from ten years ago) this is clearly one aspect of ‘people-to-people’ diplomacy that governments shape with policy settings but also follow and react according to experiences and outcomes beyond their control. As India provides the second largest number of international students, after China, this realm is full of possibilities, depending on the government’s appetite for incentives that bring education closer to foreign policy objectives. For example, to what extent should the East-West dimension of Belt and Road and closer co-operation among Asian countries be matched by particular new education hubs, scholarships and exchanges fostering closer connections in a new regional manner?
But it remains unclear as to what extent is the Indian diaspora, so large and established in parts of Asia, North America, Australia and the UK, are active contributors to this landscape of Indian diplomacy today. Where Indians overseas are citizens of other countries this is of course a major factor to consider, but citizenship does not detract from the extraordinary levels of mobility – human, material capital, and ideas – flowing between countries in ways that impact on the national interests of several of them.
But as countries across Asia respond to Belt and Road with varying degrees of enthusiasm, it is apparent that the ongoing presence of the more traditional forms of hard power mean those attempting to build cross-border relations in the cultural, educational or other sectors, remain entangled in a complex landscape of regional politics.
It is also worth asking, how do these new forms of diplomacy intersect with or moderate the resurgent nationalism; a feature of many countries in Asia and the Pacific? But while populist nationalism grows, so too, does the celebration of key moments or examples of transnationalism. One much loved example in New Delhi is the architectural genius and legacies of American Joseph Allen Stein, whose extraordinary environmental-aesthetic sensibility informed buildings such as the India International Centre, the India Habitat Centre and the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence.
It is clear areas such heritage and education are powerful and growing field of diplomacy and soft-power, but ones that are susceptible to the whims of governments and shifting regional alliances and rivalries. It is a landscape that will warrant careful and critical attention over the coming years.
– Authored by Professors David Lowe and Tim Winter
Empower your team. Lead the industry
Get a subscription to a library of online courses and digital learning tools for your organization with EasyShiksha
Yes, all internships offered by EasyShiksha are completely free of charge.
Q.How can I apply for an internship with EasyShiksha?
You can apply for an internship with EasyShiksha by visiting our website and browsing through the available internship opportunities. Once you find a suitable internship, simply follow the application instructions provided.
Q.What types of internships are available through EasyShiksha?
EasyShiksha offers a wide range of internships across various industries and disciplines, including but not limited to technology, business, marketing, healthcare, and more. We continuously update our internship offerings to provide diverse opportunities for our users.
Q.Will I receive a certificate upon completing an internship?
Yes, upon successful completion of an internship with EasyShiksha, you will receive a certificate recognizing your participation and achievements during the internship period.
Q.Are EasyShiksha's internship certificates recognized by universities and employers?
Yes, EasyShiksha's internship certificates are recognized and valued by universities, colleges, and employers worldwide. They serve as a testament to your skills, knowledge, and experience gained through our internship programs.
Q.Is the download of certificates free or paid?
While access to internships and all courses on EasyShiksha is free for users lifetime, there is a nominal operational cost associated with downloading certificates. This fee covers the administrative expenses involved in processing and issuing the certificates.
Q.When can I start the course?
Anyone can choose a preferred course and start immediately without any delay.
Q.What are the course and session timings?
As this is a purely online course program, you can choose to learn at any time of the day and for as much time as you want. Though we follow a well-established structure and schedule, we recommend a routine for you as well. But it finally depends on you, as you have to learn.
Q.What will happen when my course is over?
If you have completed the course, you would be able to have lifetime access to it for future reference too.
Q.Can I download the notes and study material?
Yes, you can access and download the content of the course for the duration. And even have lifetime access to it for any further reference.
Q. What software/tools would be needed for the course and how can I get them?
All the software/tools that you need for the course would be shared with you during the training as and when you need them.
I’m unable to make a payment. What to do now?
You can try to make the payment through a different card or account (maybe a friend or family). If the problem persists, email us at info@easyshiksha.com
Q. Do I get the certificate in a hard copy?
No, only a soft copy of the certificate will be awarded, which can be downloaded and printed, if required.
Q. The payment got deducted, but the updated transaction status is showing “failed”. What to do now?
Due to some technical faults, this can happen. In such a case the amount deducted will be transferred to the bank account in the next 7-10 working days. Normally the bank takes this much time to credit the amount back into your account.
Q. The payment was successful but it still shows ‘Buy Now’ or not showing any videos on my dashboard? What should I do?
At times, there may be a slight delay in your payment reflecting on your EasyShiksha dashboard. However, if the problem is taking longer than 30 minutes, please let us know by writing to us at info@easyshiksha.com from your registered email id, and attach the screenshot of the payment receipt or transaction history. Soon after verification from the backend, we will update the payment status.
Q. What is the refund policy?
If you have enrolled, and are facing any technical problem then you can request a refund. But once the certificate has been generated, we shall not refund that..
Q.Can I just enrol in a single course?
Yes! You surely can. To begin this, just click the course of your interest and fill in the details to enrol. You are ready to learn, once the payment is made. For the same, you earn a certificate too.
My questions are not listed above. I need further help.
