How the Government of India can Use Tourism as a Diplomatic Tool to Counter Terrorism and Highlight Unfriendly Nations.

[YAGAY andSUN]

The idea of using a rating system to assess and communicate the government’s stance on foreign relations, particularly in relation to countries that support terrorism or engage in activities hostile to India, is an interesting proposition. While the Indian Government does not currently employ such a direct tourist rating system, there are existing mechanisms through which the government influences public sentiment, policies, and diplomatic relations with countries perceived as adversarial.

India's Diplomacy and Tourism Interaction

India has a long history of using soft power, including tourism, to foster relationships and assert its foreign policy stance. The tourism industry, while primarily focused on promoting India as a destination, can be a tool for shaping global perceptions and responding to international dynamics.

Possible Rating System: A Hypothetical Approach

The idea of a tourist rating system could involve providing Indian citizens with information about the security, diplomatic relations, and political environment of foreign countries, particularly those with hostile or strained relations with India. Here’s how such a system might hypothetically work:

1. Diplomatic Relations & Travel Advisories

India already has travel advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for its citizens, which can warn against visiting countries that might be unsafe due to war, terrorism, or political instability. This advisory system can be viewed as an indirect rating system that discourages citizens from traveling to countries that might be actively supporting terrorism or acting against India’s national security interests.

• For instance: Countries with close ties to terrorist organizations that target India could be designated as high-risk in Indian travel advisories. The advisories might explicitly mention the risks posed by these countries to Indian citizens, giving them an indirect "rating" based on their geopolitical stance.

2. Special Ratings for Countries Supporting Terrorism

If the Indian government were to introduce a tourist rating system tied to a country's support of terrorism or anti-India activities, it could classify nations into several categories:

• Tier 1: Friendly Nations (Countries that support India’s security, anti-terrorism efforts, and collaborate diplomatically)
• Tier 2: Neutral Nations (Countries with neutral or ambiguous stances regarding terrorism or political conflicts)
• Tier 3: Countries with Suspicious or Hostile Stances (Countries with indirect or direct support of terrorism, funding extremist groups, or engaging in hostile activities against India)

Countries in Tier 3 could have severe travel advisories issued, warning Indian citizens against travel, along with the diplomatic implications (e.g., trade embargoes, visa restrictions). While not officially a “rating system,” such measures would convey the government’s position in a practical way.

3. Tourism Boycotts and International Image

India could also leverage its tourism market in a soft power strategy. If a country is deemed to have an unfriendly stance toward India, the government could encourage citizens to boycott tourism to that country. By controlling the flow of Indian tourists to a hostile nation, India could send a strong message, highlighting its displeasure and signaling that diplomatic engagement is not just about formal discussions but also about people-to-people connections.

For example, India has previously used its economic might (such as boycotting goods, not supporting certain foreign investments) to assert pressure on countries involved in anti-India activities. A tourism boycott would be another powerful tool.

4. Tourism Diplomacy & Economic Leverage

Tourism is not only about traveling for leisure but also about economic leverage. India is one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets, with millions of Indians traveling abroad each year. Governments can use this leverage as a diplomatic tool by influencing travel patterns.

• If the Indian government perceives a country to be hostile or complicit in supporting terrorism, it could reduce diplomatic ties or restrict tourism visas, thus affecting the country’s tourism-dependent economy.

5. Public Sentiment and National Policy

The rating system could be designed to reflect public sentiment toward a country’s behavior in supporting terrorism or being non-cooperative with India. This public opinion, especially through platforms like social media, could indirectly pressure governments to alter their foreign policies. Here, the tourist rating system could be designed to educate and influence Indian tourists to take informed decisions on where to travel, aligning with the nation’s broader security and foreign policy objectives.

Existing Diplomatic Mechanisms:

While a direct tourist rating system does not currently exist, India has already used various diplomatic tools to manage relations with hostile countries:

1. Bilateral Relations and Sanctions: India often uses economic sanctions and visa restrictions as a response to countries seen as supporting terrorism. For example, after the 2016 Uri Attack and the 2019 Pulwama Attack, India took significant steps to diplomatically isolate Pakistan, reducing trade and transport links.
2. Economic Leverage: India has used its economic influence to apply pressure on countries that harbor or support terrorist organizations. This includes restricting investments, trade embargoes, and economic sanctions.
3. Public Diplomacy & Information Campaigns: India has engaged in public diplomacy campaigns to expose the support of terrorism by certain countries. Through platforms like the United Nations and other international organizations, India has brought attention to the support for terrorism, encouraging countries to take a firm stand against it.

Conclusion

While a direct tourist rating system tied to a country’s involvement in terrorism or support for hostile activities against India does not currently exist, the Indian government can influence travel patterns through travel advisories, economic leverage, and diplomatic pressure. These mechanisms effectively create a de facto rating system that alerts the Indian public to the geopolitical realities of the country they are planning to visit.

By leveraging these tools, the government can educate its citizens and send a clear message about its stance on national security and foreign relations. Thus, tourism diplomacy becomes an extension of India's broader strategy for ensuring the nation's safety and aligning public sentiment with the country's foreign policy objectives.