• Technological advancements in the 21st century have heightened the role of technology in the diplomacy arena.
• Technologically adept nation-states are using their own strategies to integrate technology with their foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives.
• In this context, technology should used as a credible diplomatic plank by the Indian State to further its national and geopolitical interests.

Role of technology in diplomacy

• In international affairs diplomacy, technology and economics are the most important tools for any nation.
• It is emerging as an important instrument of techno-economic power that will shape the changing dynamics of international relations and global affairs.
• The primary objective of science diplomacy is to support foreign policy objectives with scientific information and advisory.

Importance of combining Science & Technology with diplomacy

• The role of Science & Technology (S&T) in the present 21^st century is far more relevant and yet its interplay in international affairs is almost invisible in the globalised society.
• Globalisation and consequent inter-dependency among societies and nations is because of the integration brought about by advances in Information-Communication-Technology (ICT).
• Technology has enabled modern civilisation to move towards a knowledge-based society where the information flow is instantaneous - far improved compared to a decade ago.
• The unique advantage of combining S&T and diplomacy in bilateral efforts is that it enables building enduring techno-political bridges for serving the cause of furthering mutual national objectives.

India’s Position

• The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2013 was one of the examples of how technology and diplomacy are intertwined in government documents.
• It enabled strategic partnerships and alliances with other nations through both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA) 2015 was launched by India and France to boost solar energy in developing countries.
• It is an alliance of 121 countries majorly the sunshine countries (countries lying between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn).
• Draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020 discusses the role of Science & Technology in re-organising India’s foreign policy priorities and shaping the global technology ecosystem.
• In 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs created technically specialised divisions, such as the cyber diplomacy division, e-governance and information technology division, and the new emerging and strategic technologies division.

Challenges

• Energy Consumption: The techno-economic progress of large sections of the growing world population is increasing the global consumption of energy and other earth resources at an alarming rate.
• Risk of Cyberwarfare: Cyber warfare techniques use intangible software tools that can cripple military capabilities and international commercial trade.
• Biotechnology: Concerns about use of bioweapons and biological warfare are high.
• Weaponization in Outer space: Technology for anti-satellite weapons due the development of satellites that can be used for both military and civil reasons.

How techplomacy can be used by India

Identify areas of strength in technology ecosystem

• Focusing on critical areas of strength in its technology ecosystem can serve as potential tools of diplomatic leverage. 
• Employ technology as a soft power tool to pinpoint certain tech-driven areas in which India has built expertise.
• Investment by the State (both financial and human resources), in these critical areas can boost India’s growth.
• To realise above objective, India should:
• Analyse the export capabilities and domestic intellectual property (IP) innovation levels in certain areas of technology.
• Exporting specific technology products on a large scale can positively impact the diplomatic aspect of the country.
• Example: Biotech space, including vaccines and drugs.
• Focus on ability of domestic tech industry to have a high level of innovation in a specific area of technology.
• Example: Boosting already stronger fintech ecosystem of India
• Acceptance UPI and RuPay in over five different countries.

Utilize different dimensions of techplomacy

• India can use three different dimensions of techplomacy:
• Science in Diplomacy—using scientific advisory to achieve foreign policy objectives.
• Science for Diplomacy—using S&T cooperation to improve relations between countries.
• Diplomacy for Science—facilitating international scientific cooperation, and getting foreign S&T inputs for indigenous progress.

Self-sufficiency in emerging technologies

• There needs to be a reconsideration of the concept of self-sufficiency in emerging technologies in light of the Indian State''s championing efforts in its tech diplomacy outreach.
• Multilateralism in different critical and emerging technology fields should be more of an entrepreneurial decision to improve access and combine scientific or technical knowledge.
• Example: Promoting the growth of open-source technologies (built on open standards) with very little or no entry barriers in the form of licences and royalty fees must be prioritised.

Government push

• Primary objective: Appoint foreign service officer within the government who can serve as the state’s official “tech diplomat”. 
• Examples:
• Tech ambassador within Denmark’s ministry of foreign affairs.
• France has digital ambassador.
• Australia appointed its first-ever ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology in 2021.

India, in the long run, will benefit from being integrated into the global technology ecosystem and engaging with other like-minded nation-States through diplomacy. This will achieve its key objectives of economic integration and governance participation in the technology realm.