Context:

This editorial is based on the news “C Raja Mohan writes: The rise of ‘intelligence diplomacy’ in a time of global security challenges” which was published in the Indian Express. Recently, three major events- annual Raisina Dialogue, biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise (Milan) in the Bay of Bengal and gathering of top intelligence officials from like-minded countries on the margins of the Raisina Dialogue drew attention to the expanding Indian diplomatic footprint. 

Intelligence Diplomacy, a Need

• Essential Part: The intelligence agencies are an essential part of the national security establishment along with the diplomatic community and the armed forces. 
• Historically Relevant: As the first line of defence against internal and external threats, intelligence has been a critical part of statecraft since ancient times.

Steps Towards Intelligence Diplomacy:

• Shift in Diplomacy: 

  • The regular exchanges between the Indian agencies and their counterparts from like-minded countries underline India’s shift from isolationism to building productive intelligence partnerships.
  • In the 21st century, there has been a rapid growth in international commercial, political, technological and military affairs.

• For National Security: 

  • The intelligence agencies are an essential part of the national security establishment along with the diplomatic community and the armed forces. 
  • Intelligence has been a critical part of statecraft since ancient times.

• Reason for Shift: 

• • The deepening military crises worldwide, the new stresses on the global economic order, rise of international terrorism, the growth of cross-border criminal networks,  and the return of great power rivalry.

• Observing Examples: 

  • The rise of the international conference circuit on foreign and security policy issues, such as the Aspen Security Forum, the Munich Security Conference, and the Shangri-La Dialogue. 
  • The US has a tight circle of intelligence gathering and sharing with its Anglo-Saxon allies — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK and the “Five Eyes” arrangement.

• Earlier Used Diplomacy, Still Relevant Now:

• • India from her very ancient times, used discourse and naval diplomacy, which holds their specific relevance. 

About Discourse Diplomacy of the Raisina Dialogue

• Launched: In 2016. 
• Aim: To set narratives and create transnational networks that bring together serving officials, business leaders, scholars, analysts, consultants and the media.
• Significant Event: For the global strategic community interested in India. 
• Supported by the Ministry of External Affairs: An annual Global Technology Summit organized by Carnegie India that has become a major international forum to discuss issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and geopolitics. 
  • The Pune International Centre’s annual Asia Economic Dialogue and the India Foundation’s Indian Ocean Dialogue. 

About Indian Naval Diplomacy of the Milan Exercise 

• First to take Reforms: In India, the navy took active military diplomacy in the reform era. 
• For Regional Security: Milan began as a modest “Indian Ocean Panchayat” to bring the Bay of Bengal navies to reflect together on regional maritime security. 
• Expansion: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand joined India in the 1995 Milan exercises in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands waters and in the 2022 edition, 39 countries participated. 
• Other Example: The annual Malabar exercises with the US. 
  • Today, they together showcase India’s new strategic salience in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

Intelligence Diplomacy has become critical amidst the expanding scale and scope of its security challenges and it aligns with current strategy of building regional and global coalitions. The emerging “intelligence diplomacy” could be as consequential as the “discourse diplomacy” of the Raisina Dialogue and the “naval diplomacy” of the Milan exercises.