FM asks diplomats to explore new tools in diplomacy

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the young diplomats on Tuesday to explore new tools in foreign policy, including communication technology, to effectively highlight the country’s narrative across the globe.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of 42nd Specialised Diplomatic Course at the Foreign Service Academy, he said that the rapid advancement in technological mediums defined new contours of diplomacy that necessitated an agile foreign service.

Bilawal emphasised that new trends in diplomacy required a better capacity to cope with geo-political and geo-economic realities. He also asked the Pakistani diplomats remain cognisant to the emerging challenges such as climate change, food security, public health, and water issues.

Bilawal said Pakistan’s foreign policy was guided by national interests, pragmatism, constructed engagement, and amicable management of diversities and maximizing commonalities of interests. He mentioned the Resilient Pakistan conference in Geneva last month and termed it a testament to Pakistan’s effective foreign policy.

Regarding the polarisation of geopolitics, he pointed out that the international landscape continued to undergo profound changes underpinned by power dynamics and increasing complex interplay.

The foreign minister mentioned that a process of foreign policy reforms was initiated aimed at better management and better skills. He highlighted the need for effective liaison with overseas Pakistanis besides extending them maximum facilitation.