Students of the faculty of legal studies at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) here had a peep into the intricacies of diplomacy and the life of an envoy at an interactive session with a career diplomat on Wednesday.

“The cornerstone of international relations and diplomacy is hinged to the nation’s interest. Everything else is subordinate to it,” Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said during the interaction.

Mr. Sahu, who is India’s former Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, was delivering the SOA Weekly Academic Lecture (SOAWAL) at the SOA National Institute of Law (SNIL).

Describing diplomacy as the tool for international relations, he threw light as to how the Russia-Ukraine conflict would impact the future power balance in the world.

“When a diplomat speaks you have to read between the lines and what he or she does not speak carries relevance. You have to use words carefully and in such a way that it would not return to haunt you after many years,” he said.

Narrating his personal and professional experiences during the interactive session, Mr. Sahu spoke as to how he managed when he was first posted in China without any knowledge of Mandarin.

He also spoke about his experience in Iran when generous strangers helped him to take his baby son to an orthopedic surgeon.

Replying to a question, Mr. Sahu said the notion that where diplomacy ends, war begins has been an outdated understanding of international relations.

Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma, Director, University Outreach Programme introduced Mr. Sahu to the audience while Prof. Prabir Kumar Pattnaik, professor in the institute, welcomed the guest speaker. Prof. S A K Azad, Dean of SNIL, presented a memento to the guest. Mr. Ambarish, Assistant Professor in the institute proposed the vote of thanks.