User blogs

Disruption is today’s norm. International affairs are not exempt. Ability to handle disruption is needed in all professions. Disruption does not only come via technology, and can affect any area of activity. By its nature, it is unpredictable.

It was gratifying that such a banal theme seemed to resonate with so many, to the point we had over 100 registered for the Webinar. My thanks to all of you. And my apologies if I did not respond to all the points made. In the following, please find my summary and comments on the discussion held on 30 Jan 2015. The recording of the whole discussion can be found here. 

This evening, 21st November, 2013, Europe met Asia on the lush and verdant lawns of the Spanish Ambassador’s residence in New Delhi. Two of the greatest performers of Flamenco guitar music, with a singer and accompanist and a powerfully expressive female Flamenco dancer performed before a select audience of about 200, the Indian capital’s glitterati. They were joined on the stage by a group of seven Langa musicians and singers from the land of Marwar in Rajasthan.

The Economist of 31 August 2013 carried a rare short report on the institution of the honorary consul. It read:

'Honorary consuls -  a booming trade', 

(with the subheading, 'Foreign ministries employ ever more amateurs to do their bidding abroad')

In today’s world, we increasingly witness how much migration features in international affairs.

The diplomacy process is under transformation, as part of the churning in public affairs, in our age of globalization. But in the midst of change, some constants remain, as immovable compass points.