At a panel discussion titled “Navigating Diplomacy Through Turbulent Times” held on 19th November at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), jointly organised with Diplomatist Magazine as part of its Prelude Series to Diplomatic Nite 2024, Prof. (Dr.) Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor, IIFT and Guest Editor of the Diplomatist Annual Edition 2025, distinguished gathering of academics, international relations scholars, economists, and young researchers. His remarks set the tone for a thoughtful exploration of the contemporary global environment—one characterised, as he noted, by “times that are predictable only by virtue of their unpredictability.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the magazine, he shared how Diplomatist had grown from a “modest beginning” to a publication that today “reaches almost every diplomatic mission in India and abroad,” carrying articles of consistently high calibre. As someone who contributed to Diplomatist nearly two decades ago, he expressed pleasure in witnessing its remarkable journey.
Speaking about the theme of the upcoming Annual Edition—The Times They Are A-Changing—Prof. Joshi credited Ms. Hawke for proposing a title that resonates profoundly with current global dynamics. When she first mentioned the 1964 Bob Dylan classic, he recalled telling her he “didn’t fully understand it” because he was a toddler at the time the song was released. He later understood its relevance as she explained how the world today is undergoing shifts so deep that traditional strategies no longer suffice. “Old strategies don’t work,” Prof. Joshi remarked, emphasising that “change is not a choice—it is a necessity.”
Elaborating on the pace of transformation in geopolitics, technology, economics, and diplomacy, he offered sharp insights into the fragility of global supply chains and the evolving nature of globalisation. Having studied, taught, and debated globalisation throughout his career, he reflected on how dramatically the discourse has changed since COVID-19. What was once celebrated as the great integrator of economies is now seen as a structural vulnerability. India was routinely told it needed greater integration into global supply chains, yet during the pandemic, the same interdependence caused unprecedented disruption. “What was once a virtue became a liability,” he observed.
Prof. Joshi highlighted how India has navigated global volatility more deftly than many advanced economies. Citing manufacturing trends, he pointed out that India’s Purchasing Managers’ Index touched 59.2 in October 2025, signalling robust activity, while China’s dropped below 50 and manufacturing in the U.S. has been contracting for years. India, he said, “knows how to navigate uncertainty—something no other country has managed quite the same way.”
Turning to shifting trade policies, he noted that the U.S., long an advocate of tariff reduction and comparative advantage, has raised tariffs from 3% to nearly 19% within months, arguing that domestic industry must be protected. “For decades economists preached that free trade was the path to welfare,” he said, “yet today the world’s most powerful economy is implementing some of the highest tariff walls in its own history.” Ironically, India—often criticised for protectionism—is now being sanctioned with nearly 50% tariffs. Quoting trade theories and referencing global political shifts, Prof. Joshi underscored the rising contradictions in global governance.
He offered a candid reflection on the reversal of long-held assumptions, including the weakening of principles such as Most Favoured Nation and non-discrimination under the World Trade Organization. Today, he noted, “discrimination in trade is at its peak,” with allies like Canada and Mexico facing 25% tariffs despite deep supply-chain integration with the United States. “These are turbulent times,” he cautioned, and diplomacy must adapt accordingly.
Prof. Joshi then moved to a broader reflection on statecraft and history, emphasising that effective diplomacy requires an understanding of the past. He recounted the story of Cleopatra—the young co-ruler of Egypt whose diplomatic prowess shaped alliances with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony. Her political instincts, he noted, allowed her to influence empires at a remarkably young age. “History teaches us diplomacy,” he said. “History teaches us statecraft. And in times of turbulence, these lessons matter more than ever.”
The Vice Chancellor concluded by expressing optimism about the depth of conversations emerging from the panel, which brought together eminent authors, thinkers, and scholars. He reiterated the relevance of the chosen theme for the Diplomatist Annual Edition 2025, adding that in a world defined by sudden shifts and evolving alliances, adaptability is essential. As he put it, quoting his own words from the speech, “You cannot predict what will happen tomorrow. India signs a deal today; tomorrow, the landscape may shift entirely.”
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