Small State Diplomacy in Peace and Conflict- Case study of Nepal and Bhutan

Author : Khyati Anand

Source : PMO Bhutan Twitter

There is an increasing power competition among countries on both a regional and global scale. Amidst this competition among powerful contestants lies a challenge for small states to figure out their foreign policies toward the great powers. Due to the varying international scenarios, small states often find difficulty in evaluating their policy options in this security and economy dominated environment. Small states try to ensure peace in the region by balancing the influence of regional powers, but uncertainties produced by great powers' actions, push the weak to hedge. Countries like Nepal and Bhutan, sandwiched between India and China, lie in a critical position in the South Asian region which is subjected to vulnerabilities and opportunities. The burden to diplomatically ensure stability is vital due to compactness of the region and is considerably a result of conscious actions of the confined. (geographically)

Small states are an integral part of the international order. Around two-thirds of the United Nations members fall into this category and pursue the same objectives of security, prosperity, and well-being of their citizens. The relative paucity of resources and their inability to overcome their structural weakness paves way for the importance of the diplomatic process as an approach to gain the required assistance from large powers in various forms. When it is difficult to navigate through the channel of diplomacy, often small countries find themselves hedging between big powers. Despite that, while receiving assistance from big states, small states do not leverage on their autonomy and sovereignty.

However, an international system dominated by larger states also compels smaller states to devise craftier ways of gaining relevance in international affairs like joining international and regional organisations or entering alliance with big powers. The ability of a small state to diplomatically deal with big powers and use its geostrategic location to its advantage is what turns them into a small power. A small state in the right place can be very important to a big power like Nepal and Bhutan are to China and India.

Read the full article at : https://oijpcr.org/archive/Small-State-Diplomacy-in-Peace-and-Conflict-Case-study-of-Nepal-and-Bhutan/63abda0325d990d795ae6dbb

Khyati Anand is a Post Graduate student from Amity University.