lOMoAR cPSD| 40749825
Niche Diplomacy A Modern Strategically I
Chính Trị Học Đại Cương (Đại học Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn, Đại học Quốc
gia Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh) lOMoAR cPSD| 40749825
BCISESS ’17 – ‘Global TRANSFORMATION’
NICHE DIPLOMACY: A MODERN, STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT SRI LANKA Raveen Lekamwasam
Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo rclekamwasam@gmail.com
Niche diplomacy is a strategy used by middle and small power nations in order to enhance their
diplomatic presence within the international community. Sri Lanka falls in the category of a small
and middle power nation, with insufficient economic or military power and influence. Diplomatic
influence in the modern context allows for a country to have better negotiating capabilities and
the ability to appoint key members to international bodies. The objectives of the paper are to
identify attempts at Niche diplomacy by other countries; the frameworks and strategies used by
those nations to achieve their Niche diplomacy goals; the fields through which Sri Lanka could
apply Niche diplomacy; and discuss the advantages or disadvantages of a Niche Diplomacy
framework for Sri Lanka's drive towards global prominence.
It is based on the research questions - Is Niche diplomacy a viable solution to making Sri
Lanka a prominent figure in the international diplomatic arena? What fields can be used by
Sri Lanka in order to achieve Niche diplomacy? Whilst a literature review was used to gain
secondary data, the sources examined include current scholarly articles, working papers and
industry specific text books along with foreign policy statements. An analysis of Niche
diplomatic strategies used by countries and fields which are viable for Niche diplomacy in Sri
Lanka were analyzed, including a consideration of how a Niche diplomacy strategy would be suitable for Sri Lanka.
The paper looks into application of Niche diplomacy as a modern strategy for Sri Lanka.
While discussing the previously used Niche Framework of countries including Singapore
(Water diplomacy) and South Africa (Disarmament and Transitional Justice), attempts have
been made to review the advantages gained by these countries due to Niche diplomacy. Post-
apartheid South Africa and post-colonial Singapore used Niche diplomacy as a tool of re-
branding the image of their countries and hence their rebranding trends would be a good
model for post conflict Sri Lanka.
It was found that frameworks of the past Niche diplomacy are not valid in the present context, as
concepts which were considered worthy have drastically changed. SDG 16 has become one of the
most Niche worthy topics followed by evidence and rights-based approaches. United Nations
Security Council Resolution 2250 has shown that championing youth empowerment and youth
mainstreaming are seen as Niche worthy. Sri Lanka during certain times in history had created a
Niche worthy atmosphere in the fields of health, education and the Law of the Sea. By rebranding
these fields through a rights-based approach, eco-sustainability and multi-ethnic values, Sri
Lanka can re-achieve Niche worthiness. The framework thus formulated should not merely apply
to foreign policy but to all aspects of governance and bring about national policy. Niche policy
must be allowed to work over a sustained period of time and must 1 lOMoAR cPSD| 40749825
BCISESS ’17 – ‘Global TRANSFORMATION’
not be influenced by political change but instead encapsulate a cultural and national identity.
Sri Lanka has the possibility of achieving its level of influence showcased in the past during
Non- Aligned summits, G77 and UNCLOS. This framework will enhance economic and social aspects.
Key words: Niche Diplomacy, Sri Lanka, Influence, Strategy 2