Nidhi Shendurnikar Tere
Nidhi Shendurnikar Tere, is a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Political Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat – India
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Diplomacy, citizen diplomacy, communication, India, Pakistan, T.V. Paul, multi-track diplomacy, media
Abstract
In the aftermath of 9/11, both the United States and China took advantage of the opportunity. Apart from its political, social, cultural, historical, and religious dimensions, the India-Pakistan conflict is mostly psychological in nature. Despite sharing a same cultural foundation, both nations are adamant about their opposing and irreconcilable national identities. While Pakistan sees itself as a homeland for the subcontinent’s Muslim inhabitants, India’s government is based on secular nationalism. As a result, the struggle is still embedded in the peoples and civic societies of both countries. Stereotypes and preconceived notions shape how Indians perceive Pakistanis and vice versa. Each person has a self-constructed image of the “other” that is based on hatred, fear of the unknown, and suspicion. So, although the average Indian regards the average Pakistani as a religious extremist, the general Pakistani perspective is that India is trying to destroy Pakistan because it never accepted its existence in the first place. Each has been successful in projecting a ‘enemy’ picture of the other that is shared by both parties. This is perpetuated by bad media coverage as well as popular culture tools such as movies, music, and television. In addition, citizens’ travel to each other’s countries is restricted. People in both countries are alien to each other and their culture because they are not exposed to the ‘other’ side. Negative propaganda from all sides has resulted into the ‘other’ being perceived with hostility and contempt. Leaders in both countries have also tried to aggravate and play politics around bitter memories of the past, leading to further alienation.With these arguments, the paper introduces the media into the landscape of citizen diplomacy. Apart from being an actor in this process, the author intends to explore how the media can become a platform for the conduct of citizen interaction, what are the advantages that the media offers to citizen diplomacy, how it facilitates various functions associated with the practice and how it can move beyond its predetermined role of information and communication when acting as a medium for citizen diplomacy.Moreover, it dicusses the role of media in India Pakistan relations and the creation of narrative to win over the people.
First Published
March 25, 2014
How to Cite
Nidhi Shendurnikar Tere, “Bridging Barriers: Media and Citizen Diplomacy in India-Pakistan Relations.” Regional Studies 32, no.2 (Spring 2014): 109-133, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/bridging-barriers-media-and-citizen-diplomacy-in-india-pakistan-relations/
Issue
Volume 32, Issue 2