Evolving Trends of Digital Diplomacy and its Role in the Achievement of Foreign Policy Goals

Abstract

Digital diplomacy refers to the use of the Internet, ICT, digital technologies and online platforms by governments and diplomats to be engaged in diplomatic activities to achieve diplomatic objectives. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office define it in the most relevant manner as, “solving foreign policy problems using the internet”. It simply means that in contemporary times, achievement of the foreign policy goals and the resolution of issues are based on the Internet and Communication Tools. Further, the advent of social media in the world of communication made rapid changes in the field of digital diplomacy as well. Today, 98% of UN member states are using social media platforms for their diplomatic activities and to achieve foreign policy goals.  After the advent of this concept at the initiation of the 21st century and its wide use in diplomatic activities led to the introduction of its numerous trends in the world.  The first section of the study focuses on theoretical and historical development of the digital diplomacy. The second section analyzes the evolving trends of digital diplomacy in the modern times. The third section describes the role of digital diplomacy in the achievement of foreign policy objectives of any state. The study is predominantly descriptive and analytical in nature. Moreover, data is collected through desk-research method under the qualitative approach.