Table of Contents
THE CONTEXT: The rejoinder by Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra to an Irish Times editorial critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. It argues that Mishra’s response, which praised Modi’s “impeccable personal character” and attributed his popularity to the “fight against corruption,” blurred the line between professional diplomacy and political rebuttal. The bureaucrats and diplomats should maintain political neutrality and represent the country, not a particular government or party.
ISSUES:
- Political Neutrality: The importance of political neutrality for bureaucrats, as mandated by the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules. Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra’s public comments, which appear to be partisan, contravene these rules and blur the line between professional diplomatic communication and political advocacy.
- Representation of National Interests: Diplomats are expected to represent and defend their country’s interests, not those of a particular government or political party. Mishra’s rejoinder, which seems to defend the ruling party’s record and criticize the opposition, deviates from this principle.
- Diplomatic Communication: Diplomats are expected to communicate in a manner that is measured, mature, and reflective of their nation’s policies and values. The tone and content of Mishra’s rejoinder could be perceived as overly defensive and unbecoming of a diplomat.
- Upholding Democratic Values: As representatives of a democratic nation, Indian diplomats are expected to showcase and stand by democratic values, including freedom of speech. The editorial’s criticism of the Indian government’s actions should be addressed in a way that demonstrates respect for such values rather than appearing to suppress or counter them aggressively.
- Institutional Integrity: Diplomats’ actions and statements can impact the perceived integrity of the institutions they represent. Partisan statements can undermine the credibility of the diplomatic service and the government.
- Impact on Bilateral Relations: Diplomatic overreactions or partisan statements can strain relations with host countries, as they may be seen as interfering with internal political discourse or as undiplomatic behavior.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Clear Communication of Rules: Ensure that all diplomats and public officials are regularly trained in the expected conduct, particularly emphasizing political neutrality and the distinction between personal opinions and official statements. To reinforce professionalism in public service, organize workshops focusing on ethical dilemmas and case studies.
- Establishment of Oversight Bodies: Create or strengthen existing oversight committees to monitor the actions of diplomats and public officials and ensure they adhere to ethical standards and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Implement systems that allow unethical behavior to be reported anonymously and investigated impartially, protecting the whistleblower’s identity.
- In-depth Cultural Training: Diplomats should receive comprehensive training on the cultural, political, and social norms of host countries to prevent misunderstandings and foster respect in communications. Integrate ethics training into the core curriculum for diplomats and public officials, focusing on scenarios they might face abroad.
- Periodic Review of Conduct Rules: Regularly update the conduct rules to reflect the current geopolitical climate and the evolving nature of diplomacy and public administration. Consider the impact of social media and digital communication in diplomacy, updating guidelines to cover these areas comprehensively.
- Encouragement of Non-partisan Behavior: Encourage diplomats to avoid partisan politics in their professional undertakings and public communications. Leaders in diplomatic and public service should model the behavior expected of their teams, particularly in maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
- Disclosure of Diplomatic Stances: When possible, make diplomatic stances and official communications public to foster transparency and trust in diplomatic processes. Use public engagements and media to explain the role and importance of diplomatic neutrality and the non-partisan nature of public service.
THE CONCLUSION:
While bureaucrats should be free to express personal opinions, in discharging their duties, they must remember they work for the Government of India, not the party in power. This distinction safeguards institutions and the Constitution. It suggests that Ambassador Mishra does not need to sound like a party activist to make a diplomatic point, as the embassy’s social media handles effectively showcase India’s richness through events.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q.1 Initially, Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services? Comment 2017
Q.2 “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context, it suggests reforms in the Civil Service to strengthen democracy. 2020
Q.3 Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to the travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. 2022
Q.4 The Rules and Regulations provided to all civil servants are the same, yet there is a difference in performance. Positive-minded officers can interpret the Rules and Regulations in favor of the case and achieve success. In contrast, negative-minded officers cannot achieve goals by analyzing the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. 2022
Q.5 Distinguish between the “Code of Ethics” and the “Code of Conduct” with suitable examples. 2018
Q.6 Discuss the Public Services Code recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission. 2016
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Examine the role of civil servants in a constitutional democracy. How can they effectively discharge their duties while upholding the principles of the Constitution and safeguarding democratic institutions?
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