The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE diplomatic profession is governed by clearly defined and 'universally accepted' practices and norms. There cannot be any deviation from or violation of the same. Thus, the diplomat of even a superpower in a host country is obligated to carefully and prudently observe these rules even in a tiny host country. And that tiny country, in like fashion, is as much entitled to special privileges for its diplomats in a big and mighty country. It is the uniform acceptance and meticulous observation of these principles which has helped the maintenance of the worldwide diplomatic ties.

Indeed, what the diplomats ought to do and must not do, are all the part of international protocols that have been crafted over centuries and remain fully in force. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that our Foreign Ministry recently issued a note with the express aim of drawing the attention of diplomats of certain embassies who were construed as acting beyond the bounds of diplomatic norms. They may have done so to make a contribution towards constructive developments in Bangladesh. But that would be essentially their view. The government of Bangladesh has reasons of its own to be concerned by their conduct.

Diplomats have been meeting Bangladeshi politicians and in some cases only amplifying the demands of the politicians. The government has valid reasons not to readily accept these demands and act accordingly from its own judgement of what is best suited for the country. International law accepts fully the rights of countries to exercise their sovereignty in the management of their internal affairs. Diplomats are only obliged to respect this sovereign exercise of powers in harmony with international law and diplomatic norms. They must not be seen as violating these norms by dictating policies to national governments.