The Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) and FLAME University launched a co-edited volume titled, "The Future of Indian Diplomacy: Exploring Multidisciplinary Lenses" on 9th April 2025 from 10:30 A.M to 1:00 PM at FLAME University, Pune. The book was co-edited by Ms. Eerishika Pankaj, Director, ORCA and Dr. Divya Balan, Area Chair, International Studies, FLAME University, with chapter contributions by faculty members of FLAME University. The co-edited volume of papers, published by KW Publishers, has been ideated and published as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Research and Academic Cooperation between ORCA and FLAME University. The book launch was be followed by Panel Discussions covering the themes of the book, focusing on the Evolving Landscape of Indian Diplomacy and India's Global Engagements and Lessons for Indian Diplomacy.
About the Book
Modern diplomacy is undergoing fundamental transformations. Multiple non-traditional trends incorporated into the historical practise of statesmanship building between countries can be observed today, from technology-aided diplomatic connects—seen via continuation of discussion mechanisms remotely during COVID-19—to the age of public diplomacy via social media.
The Future of Indian Diplomacy: Exploring Multidisciplinary Lenses examines this changing nature of India’s diplomatic endeavors to highlight how the field of foreign policy and diplomacy requires assessment from all disciplines. At its core, the book elucidates the multifaceted dimensions of India’s diplomatic endeavours and the symbiotic relationship between multidisciplinary research and Indian diplomacy presenting a comprehensive analysis of India’s diplomatic architecture in the 21st century.
The book analyses and recommends a way forward for India’s multi-track diplomatic approaches that blends governmental, non-governmental, and transnational actors to engage in collaborative problem-solving and global outreach. It highlights how this inclusive approach, encompassing cultural diplomacy, diasporic connections, and technologies, has become central to India’s foreign policy, enabling it to address both traditional and non-traditional challenges.
This book explores India’s cultural diplomacy, highlighting how heritage, arts, and sports—especially cricket—enhance its global influence. It examines diaspora diplomacy, showcasing the Indian diaspora as both an asset and a bridge. The analysis extends to strategic foreign policy and leadership, applying political psychology to understand India’s global engagements. Emerging trends in innovative diplomacy are also explored, including the role of big data and AI in decision-making. Additionally, the book introduces unconventional diplomatic tools, such as worship facilities as hubs for sustainability and international engagement.
By integrating empirical case studies and theoretical insights, The Future of Indian Diplomacy paints a picture of how India’s diplomatic architecture mirrors the complexities of globalisation and also provides actionable insights for its future. It argues that a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing political science, psychology, sociology, cultural studies, public policy, and media studies is crucial to understanding and addressing the challenges of modern diplomacy. It is an essential resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to understand the intricacies of India’s diplomatic efforts and its role as a leading actor in the global arena.
The book is now available for purchase on Amazon and the website of KW Publishers.
Book Launch Event
In her welcome remarks, Dr. Balan reflected on the journey from the initial idea to a fully published volume, crediting both editorial collaboration and cross-institutional trust.
Ms. Pankaj reflected on the collaborative process of editing a book that aimed to reimagine Indian diplomacy from beyond a purely strategic lens. She emphasized that Indian diplomacy today needs to be viewed through a multidisciplinary framework, where culture, technology, academia, and traditional strategy intersect to strengthen India’s global engagements. She quoted External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar's recent remarks during his visit to FLAME University, which called for the growing need for diplomacy to evolve in tandem with academic innovation and societal change. Her address set the tone for the rest of the day, highlighting how the book is both a scholarly intervention and a policy-relevant contribution.
FLAME University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Dishan Kamdar, in his remarks, underlined the pivotal role of faculty in research-led education, the importance of alumni in fostering sustained institutional partnerships, and the growing student interest in international affairs and diplomacy. He noted that the book symbolises what the FLAME × ORCA MoU seeks to achieve: bridging academia, policy, and practice through collaborative scholarship, and how this book is only a first step in a longer roadmap of ORCA–FLAME cooperation.
The book was jointly launched by FLAME University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Dishan Kamdar; Registrar, Dr. Virender Sharma; and co-editors Ms. Eerishika Pankaj and Dr. Divya Balan.
PANEL 1: Evolving Landscape of Indian Diplomacy: Soft Power and Innovation
TIME: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
MODERATOR: Ms. Eerishika Pankaj
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS:
Prof. Avani Sabade - Indian Sports Diplomacy: Lessons from Cricket (Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy)
Prof. Balaji Kalluri - Worship Facilities in India: A Large Twin Gold Mine for Decarbonisation and Diplomacy (Sustainability & Religious Soft Power in Diplomacy)
Prof. Noorie Baig - The Role of Immigration (Oral) Histories of South Asians and Its Cultural Impact in the USA (Diaspora & Historical Influence)
Prof. Harsh Vasani - Harnessing Big Data: Enhancing Indian Diplomacy through Artificial Intelligence (Emerging Tech & Data-Driven Diplomacy)
Prof. Priya Joshi - Indian Dance: An Effective Contributor to India’s Cultural Diplomacy (Arts & Heritage in Diplomacy)
This panel examined how Indian diplomacy now draws from non-traditional arenas, ranging from cricket diplomacy and classical dance to diasporic influence, sustainability, and the growing role of AI in global outreach. Ms. Pankaj set the tone by arguing that diplomacy in India shared participatory effort across the government, civil society, academia, tech, and culture.
PANEL 2: India's Global Engagements and Lessons for Indian Diplomacy
TIME: 12:15 PM – 01:00 PM
MODERATOR: Prof. Divya Balan
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS:
Prof. Sanjal Shastri - Leveraging Indian Cultural Soft Power in Asia: Opportunities for the Future (Regional Soft Power & Influence in Asia)
Prof. Inamdar Tipusultan Alarsaheb - Unravelling India’s Strategic Foreign Policy in the Global Chessboard (Geopolitical Strategy & Realpolitik)
Prof. Rajendra Abhyankar - Indian Diplomacy and Its Foreign Policy Approach (Traditional Diplomacy & Foreign Policy Strategy)
Prof. Pankaj Jain - Tracing India’s Diasporic Diplomacy: A Millennial Survey (Diaspora Networks & Their Role in Policy Influence)
Prof. Shalaka Shah - Understanding Political and Diplomatic Leadership and Personality Characteristics in Asia through Political Psychology (Leadership & Decision-Making in Foreign Policy)
This second discussion turned the spotlight to India’s contemporary strategic challenges, its bilateral and multilateral engagements, and how historical legacies interact with modern diplomacy. From diasporic networks and religious diplomacy to leadership psychology and strategic realism, the panel offered a rich tapestry of perspectives. Dr. Balan noted the need for implementational sensitivity in today’s diplomatic apparatus and encouraged the audience to think critically about the tensions between tradition and transformation in Indian foreign policy.
Both sessions were well-attended, with students actively engaging during Q&A and expressing interest in internship opportunities at ORCA.