Global Diplomacy Index 2019

News: Global Diplomacy Index 2019 has been released.

About Global Diplomacy Index:

• The index is an analysis of the number of embassies and consulates maintained by countries around the world. In 2019, the index ranked 61 countries.
•  It is published by Sydney-based Lowey Institute.

Key Takeaways from Global Diplomacy Index 2019

•  China has overtaken the U.S. to become the world’s largest diplomatic network. As of 2019, China has 276 diplomatic posts worldwide, followed by the U.S., which has 273 diplomatic posts.
•  India has been ranked 12^th. India has 123 embassies and high commissions and 54 consulates globally.

Additional Information:

Diplomacy: It is the art and practice of conducting negotiations and managing relations between nations.

Different Levels of Diplomacy

1. Track One Diplomacy: It refers to official governmental diplomacy. It is conducted by official representatives of a state or state-like authority and involves interaction with other state or state-like authorities. It may take place bilaterally between two states, or multilaterally when several states interact together, and even regionally or globally through inter-governmental organizations. Example: Bilateral summits, UN Summits, EU Summits etc.
2. Track Two Diplomacy: It is the practice of non-governmental, informal and unofficial contacts and activities between private citizens or groups of individuals. Examples  of Track Two organisations are West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), European Centre for Conflict Prevention (ECCP).
3. Track One and a Half Diplomacy: It is a term to denote interactions where official and non-official actors cooperate in conflict resolution. Example: International Yoga Day, 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. 
4. Track Three Diplomacy: It involves people to people diplomacy undertaken by individuals and civil society groups.  Example: in the India-Pakistan cross-border security relations Track Three diplomacy was initiated by individuals and groups within the civil society.
5.  Multi track Diplomacy: It involves a web of interconnected activities, individuals, institutions, and communities that operate together for a common goal: a world at peace.