WOLF WARRIOR DIPLOMACY - INTERNATIONAL

News: India doesn’t need wolf warriors

 

What's in the news?

       In an effort to promote tourism in Lakshadweep after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, several social media users ran a campaign with hashtags to boycott the Maldives.

 

Key takeaways:

       Recent incidents show that domestic sentiments will exacerbate India’s foreign policy challenge.

       The diplomatic row with the Maldives shows that India cannot wish to defeat China while at the same time behaving exactly like China does.

 

Wolf Warrior Diplomacy:

       A term that gained popularity, especially after Xi became President, “wolf warrior diplomacy” is a tactic for the Chinese government to extend its ideology beyond China and counter the West and defend itself.

       It is a new approach inside China which reinforces a presumed transition of Chinese diplomacy from conservative, passive and low-key to assertive, proactive that goes as far as insulting or threatening those deemed to violate China’s interests.

       It is an unofficial term for the more aggressive and confrontational style of communication that Chinese diplomats have taken to in the last decade.

       Xi has said multiple times that Chinese officials and diplomats must unsheathe swords to defend the dignity of China.

 

Need for wolf warrior diplomacy:

       The change in strategy has been attributed to many reasons, such as Xi’s more authoritarian tendencies as compared to earlier leaders, deteriorating US-China relations under former US President Donald Trump, the coronavirus pandemic-related accusations on China, etc.

       Chinese believe that the western interference has come to their doorstep, interfering in their family affairs. Hence they opt for the wolf warrior diplomacy which firmly defends their national interests and dignity.