ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Technology, Diplomacy and International Affairs
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international techno-economic transactions. Advances in sensors, smart
materials, missile guidance, outer space systems, energy beam weapons and
cyber space technology etc. are leading to new capabilities for offence and
defence. Consequently, preventing misuse of advanced technology is much
more challenging. While technology controls will remain important in I.R.,
new approaches to enable S&T cooperation among progressive nations will
also be vital for the future. The private sector is increasingly becoming the
main player in international technology exchanges while the role of
government agencies is changing to being more a facilitator than controller.
Developing nations in need of technology may face complex challenges of
new criteria for technology transfer based on assurance of responsible
ownership and use of sensitive technology. Such emerging trends will pose
new diplomatic challenges to the demand side as well as the supply side of
international exchanges.
The techno-economic progress of large sections of the growing world
population is increasing the global consumption of energy and other earth
resources at an alarming rate. This is amplifying the ecological footprint of
mankind in ways that is altering the chemical, physical and biological makeup
of the earth on a geological scale. It is becoming increasingly clear that this
modern way of life will not be sustainable in the future and hence there is
urgent need for coherent and well-coordinated international cooperation to
moderate global consumption and its adverse impact on earth environment.
S&T is the common denominator for all interactions and hence modern
diplomacy, for effective international negotiations for global solutions, must
recognise the vital role of S&T in international relations.
It can be argued that to develop a better understanding of transformation
in global affairs, technology has to be integrated more synergistically into the
theoretical discussions of I.R. Technology should be understood as a highly
political entity and an integral core component of the global system that shapes
global affairs and is itself shaped by global economics, politics, and culture.
Foreign policies of nations and international equations in future will be
enriched by a clear understanding of how technology and the global ecosystems
interact with geopolitics and how global politics, economics, and
culture impact technological evolution.
Global problems and concerns will require global solutions and will have
essential diplomatic dimensions. The primary objective of science diplomacy
is to support foreign policy objectives with scientific information and advisory.
While this facilitates smoother international relations, it can also help to