Explanation: Animals symbolize values and enhance diplomatic relationships, as seen in historical and modern examples.

• China used giant pandas effectively in “panda diplomacy” to improve international relations and showcase goodwill.
• Malaysia intends to use orangutans as gifts to trade partners who purchase palm oil, aiming to counteract negative perceptions about environmental sustainability.
• Malaysia’s use of orangutans could be seen as ironic since orangutans are endangered due to habitat loss from palm oil plantation expansion, the very industry Malaysia seeks to promote.
• Similar strategies, like China’s panda diplomacy, have faced challenges. For instance, the poor health of pandas in American zoos led to a campaign in China calling for their return, showing that using animals in diplomacy can lead to unintended diplomatic strains.

Source: ForumIAS