Diplomacy is the art of conducting foreign relations through dialogue, negotiation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. As a historical institution, diplomacy has been viewed as a tool used by states to prevent war, solve conflicts, and form alliances; however, diplomacy today is more than just closed-door sessions between top officials.
Today, in this globalized world, diplomacy operates at multiple levels involving numerous actors, approaches, and platforms.
This multi-track approach has resulted in the creation of the independent “tracks” of diplomacy. Collectively, these tracks constitute a more integrated, adaptable, and effective diplomatic system.
Track 1 Diplomacy: Official LevelÂ
Track 1 diplomacy is the most traditional and formal form of international engagement. It is the process of negotiations at the governmental level between the official representatives of states as sovereign governments.Â
The actors involved here are heads of state, foreign ministers, ambassadors, and other officials who communicate through official diplomatic channels.
Traditional ways of Track 1 diplomacy are:
- Bilateral or multilateral summits.
- Treaty negotiations
- State visits.
- Membership of global organizations like the United Nations or ASEAN
Example: The Iran Nuclear Accord (JCPOA), negotiated between Iran and the P5+1 countries, is an excellent example of state-to-state Track 1 diplomacy.
While this type of diplomacy legally has the power to make binding treaties, it is often constrained by political agendas, political interests, and bureaucratic rigidity. However, it is a requirement for official peace negotiations and global governance.
Track 2 Diplomacy: Unofficial/Non-Governmental LevelÂ
Track 2 diplomacy refers to unofficial dialogue initiatives by non-official actors who are not formally representing their government but are significant in policymaking or public opinion. The actors involved here can be academics, retired bureaucrats, think tank specialists, NGOs, religious leaders, and business executives.
The main objective of Track 2 diplomacy is to:
- Foster mutual comprehension.
- Minimize distrust.
Discuss various alternatives to resolving conflict in less restrictive settings.
Mechanisms are:
- Closed-door workshops
- Academic conferences
- Discussion boards.
- Simulation training
Example: The Oslo backchannel between Palestinian and Israeli leaders during the early 1990s was initially a Track 2 process initiated and then led to the official Oslo Accords.
Track 1.5 Diplomacy: Mixed Level
Track 1.5 diplomacy is the form of diplomacy that includes both official and unofficial elements. It involves dialogue where government representatives interact unofficially or personally, along with non-state actors like scholars or retired representatives.
Such meetings are legally non-binding but usually serve as confidence-building exercises, whereby the parties may hold sensitive talks outside the spotlight of the media or political pressures.
Why Track 1.5 is Important?
- Encourages flexibility without requiring governmental investment.
- Provides a secure space to experiment with policy proposals or options for compromise.
- Facilitates interaction between Tracks 1 and 2 through alerting the relevant official channels.
Example: Before the 2018 U.S.-North Korea summit, there were unofficial meetings between former U.S. officials and North Korean diplomats in their private capacities to create the groundwork for possible negotiations.
Track 3 Diplomacy: People-to-People LevelÂ
On the grassroots level, Track 3 diplomacy is used to define citizen peacebuilding efforts and initiatives that create understanding between cultures and reconcile society.Â
The track empowers grassroots actors like:
- Civil society groups
- Community leaders
- Religious groups.
- Women’s and youth organizations
Example: In Rwanda post-genocide, activities classified as Track 3 included village-level peace efforts and storytelling that helped rebuild broken-down communities and instilled long-term healing.
While Track 3 lacks political influence, it is the most enduring form of diplomacy because it identifies the causes of conflict and lays the groundwork for peacebuilding.
New Trends: Digital and Environmental Diplomacy
In recent years, new areas of diplomacy have emerged due to technological advancements and global crises. Two major new evolving forms of diplomacy are Digital and Environmental Diplomacy.
Digital diplomacy, or e-diplomacy, utilizes social media, virtual spaces, and digital technology to engage in public outreach and diplomatic communication. Foreign ministries and embassies now use Twitter, YouTube, and other social media to build narratives and gain international visibility.
Climate or environmental diplomacy includes global environmental management, as climate change is emerging as a central global risk. States, the business community, and civil society engage more in cross-border diplomacy and multilateral environmental cooperation, such as the Paris Climate Accord.
These new trends reflect the growing adaptability of diplomacy to address complex global issues.
The Interaction of Multiple TracksÂ
Contemporary diplomacy functions optimally when multiple tracks cross-fertilize each other. Every track is used to balance out the weaknesses present in the others.Â
For example:Â
- Though Track 1 can sign binding contracts, it can perhaps not resolve social tensions, something Track 2 or Track 3 can.
- Track 1.5 can be used as a testing ground for official policy shifts.
- Track 3 initiatives can create public support that legitimizes government action.
Example: During the Colombian peace process, while the government negotiated Track 1 with the FARC, local civil society, NGOs, and religious groups (Track 2 and 3 actors) provided social reintegration and reconciliation.
Contemporary diplomacy is no longer a single-way practice confined to embassies and summits between senior leaders. Rather, it is a multi-layered process involving an extensive array of actors, from foreign ministers, think tanks, and grassroots activists to social media personalities.
Considering that global challenges are more and more interconnected, with issues like armed conflict, climate change, cyber threats, and disinformation, a multi-track approach offers the most likely way forward.
Flexibility, diversity, and creativity are the defining features of 21st-century diplomacy. And as the world evolves, so should diplomacy.
A passionate International Relations student with a strong interest in diplomacy, policy, and global affairs. Dedicated to contributing thoughtful analysis and research on international issues.
