Half-Day Workshop on “ABC of International Diplomacy” on April 8, 2026

The School of International Relations and Politics (SIRP) at Mahatma Gandhi University successfully hosted a comprehensive half-day workshop titled “ABC of International Diplomacy” on April 8, 2026. Convened from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Seminar Hall in the Old SIRP Building, the event drew a vibrant audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, and faculty members keen to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of global statecraft.

Designed as an immersive exploration into foreign policy, the workshop centered on the foundational principles of modern diplomatic practice, real-world strategic decision-making, and the intricate machinery of international relations. Throughout the two-hour session, participants examined shifting power dynamics across key geopolitical landscapes and analyzed the evolving frameworks shaping contemporary Indian foreign policy.

The session was led by Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar, a former diplomat with over three decades of service in the Indian Foreign Service. Over his distinguished career, Amb. Bhadrakumar served in critical roles, including postings in Moscow, Bonn, Colombo, and Seoul; as Chargé d’Affaires in Kuwait and Kabul; as Acting/Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad; and as Ambassador to Turkey and Uzbekistan. Within the Ministry of External Affairs, he served as Director and Joint Secretary, heading the Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan Division and Kashmir Unit.

During the workshop, Amb. Bhadrakumar shared valuable practical insights drawn from his extensive diplomatic career. The discussion covered core diplomatic principles, multi-regional geopolitics spanning Eurasia, China, West Asia, and South Asia, and key perspectives on Indian foreign policy.

The session culminated in a lively and extended interactive Q&A, where students and scholars posed sharp questions on global conflicts, bilateral alliances, and the future of multilateral institutions. Overall, the workshop served as a valuable academic platform, enriching the department’s scholarly community and offering participants deep, actionable insights into the nuanced craft of global diplomacy.