21st-Century Diplomacy: A Practitioner’s Guide by Ambassador Kishan S. Rana provides a thorough and practical roadmap for navigating this complex landscape. Drawing on extensive real-world experience, Rana explores how diplomacy has become multifaceted and fast-paced, involving a wider range of actors, issues, and communication channels than ever before. The book covers everything from regional diplomacy and the unique challenges faced by small states to crisis management, foreign ministry reform, and the transformative impact of information technology.
Rana’s guide goes beyond theory, serving as a “nuts and bolts” manual for both aspiring and experienced diplomats. It covers essential topics such as public diplomacy, diaspora engagement, foreign ministry reform, and the reinvention of embassies. The book also includes practical chapters on professional skills—like negotiation, advocacy, writing, and protocol—making it invaluable for students, practitioners, and anyone interested in the craft of diplomacy in the 21st century.