Nontraditional Security Diplomacy: An Ultimate Option for South Asia

Abstract

Nontraditional security (NTS) issues like climate degradation, transnational crime, public health epidemics, terrorism - extremism, natural disasters, energy crisis, economic crisis, drugs trafficking, illegal migration, cybercrimes, maritime piracy, money laundering, and nuclear proliferation, have opened a new debate in international security and international relations. These issues are diverse and interconnected which cannot be tackled by any single entity, government, organization, and strategy. Due to disagreement and traditional hostility South Asian countries have become the hub of such NTS issues. Their diplomatic relations on NTS issues may open new options for regional integrity and stability. In this regard, this study proposes a new diplomatic approach to “Nontraditional Security Diplomacy.” It demonstrates that how NTS issues become the element of diplomatic schema and on priority basis get a positive altitude. It also clarifies the connection between traditional and nontraditional security within South Asian regions, and evaluates the ways in which regional countries may collaborate on NTS issues. This study also argues that positive security can be a potential variable for NTS diplomacy to discourage negative security in the region and becomes a useful option to develop peaceful and durable diplomatic relations within regional states.