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NAVAL DIPLOMACY TO COMPLEMENT ISLAND STATE’S GLOBAL REACH

  Figure 1. Regional Cooperative mechanisms in place for Indian Ocean Today’s global geo-strategic environment is based on maritime activity; and matters maritime are embedded from economies to governance. Thus, as islanders it is indeed   important for the population to   understand the need of   navy in today’s global context. The above figure 1. illustrates   some of the regional cooperative mechanisms of global scale available in the Indian Ocean region and it is pertinent to note that the Sri Lanka Navy (SL Navy) is directly or indirectly involved as a   partner in   these maritime cooperative mechanisms. In today’s geo-strategic posture and in diplomacy , the Navy is  continuing to be an integral and valuable component. Naval prowess is in fact a deciding criterion of  diplomacy, and Gunboat Diplomacy is a terminology that originated through this necessity. During the cold-war era it was the naval might that flexed muscle  to carry forward national interest beyond  maritime juris
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The making of Southeast Asia: International Relations of a region by Amitav Acharya. 2012 Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.

The preface of Acharya’s book underscores the principal assumption driving his argument: that regions are socially constructed. In other words, the policymaking elite’s desire for a Southeast Asian regional identity coupled with “intraregional patterns of interaction, play a crucial role in the making of Southeast Asia as a region” (p. xi). The book builds on the first edition published by Oxford University Press under the title The Quest for Identity: International Relations of Southeast Asia in 2000 . The second edition contains two new chapters, one of which (chapter 2) draws upon secondary (historical and anthropological) literature and the second (chapter 8) explores several non-traditional security threats facing the region. To complement this lengthy text, Acharya also adds an interesting collection of historical pictures interspaced in different sections of the book. This brings the book to a hefty 410 pages divided into nine chapters.  The book begins by addressing the elepha
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Diplomacy; The Subtle Art of Co-existence in an Ever-Changing World

Initially, during the enrollment in the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs course, I viewed this programme as a bridge to the amazing world we live in, where I could expand my contours on global affairs. Day by day, and session by session, through the eminent knowledge and experience that this course gifted, I now view this programme as a mentor for existence, cooperation and understanding in the ever-fluctuating globe. Moving back to the very first day of lectures at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), I recall how elated and excited I was to participate for the session. I remember the very first glance through the course guide; it comprised of substantive and pragmatic modules related to diplomacy, and the separate module on International Law captured utmost interest since my career was based on law. Starting from the initial day of commencement of lectures, the BIDTI ensured that the lectures were conducted by experienced Diplomats which include
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Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs – An Experience like no other

In a rapidly evolving world in which major new developments take place in the blink of an eye, a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the international arena is immensely beneficial for all individuals. Following the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs offered by the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) is the ideal opportunity for any individual to gain extensive knowledge about the field of international relations. When I first set foot in the BIDTI, I was a little fledgling who had just left school and was still months away from starting university. The knowledge I had pertaining to the field of diplomacy was practically non-existent. Fortunately, we were blessed with an extremely conscientious panel of lecturers who were well-aware of the fact that they were catering to a diverse group of students from different educational and professional backgrounds. Starting at the very basics of diplomacy, we went on to explore more complex realms li
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BIDTI – ‘A Truly Remarkable Experience’

Does it make sense to talk about warfare without the understanding of multilateral relations among states? What about the association that impacts peacebuilding through public diplomacy? These topics have created an endless fascination in me since my high school days of Model UN to representing my university at the National UN, New York and the Harvard UN, Rome leading me to a keen interest in what revolves around us through questioning the linkage between a vast majority of subjects. There was a great force in me to pursue the understanding of how these topics affect our nation and the history that lies upon it. With my desire to pursue a career in the Sri Lankan foreign service I came across BIDTI that offered the course I longed for. It had an exemplary structure of topics that covered a wide variety of understanding. As eager as I was, I would turn up early to grab a front row seat. It was exciting and I was amazed by the diverse group of colleagues (friends) I met that had similar
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