"In archaeology, you uncover the unknown. In diplomacy, you cover the known"- Thomas Pickering
The above punchy statement is a clever way of saying that while scientists work hard to find new truths, diplomats work hard to hide obvious ones.
This hides obvious kind effort to bury facts that everyone already knows, appears to have found a space in the reports of a 45 minute telephonic chat between Indian Supreme leader and the US President.
Amidst US Blockade, Modi and Trump stress Need to keep Hormuz Strait 'Open and Secure"..Thus screamed news anchors and print media headlines.
It's another thing that everyone knows the Strait needs to be opened (that’s the "known"), but the so-called long telephonic exchange between the leaders wraps that basic fact in enough "Diplomatic strategic" gift cover so that no one would have an inkling of the actual politics underneath it.
What these hyperbole headlines suggest is that we are living in the high-stakes world of "Statecraft for Dummies," where two world leaders spent 45 minutes essentially agreeing that water is wet and that blocking the world's most important oil artery would be "bad" both for world's peace and economy.
The news reports and the shouting anchors treat this phone call like a masterclass in global leadership.
The media left no soundbite resonating low decibel to drum up a message that "Relax, our Supreme Leader has access to the big kids' table".
It frames India not as a passive observer of US-Iran tensions, but as a co-guardian of global energy security. It’s the diplomatic equivalent of standing next to the tallest guy in class so nobody notices you’re losing your clout in the class.
The primary goal is to show that the gears of diplomacy are turning, even if they’re stuck in neutral.
If the "I care none" kind US President stays and found the time on the phone to "BRIEF" the Indian leader for 45 minutes, it’s a big "look at me" moment. It’s the diplomatic way of saying, "See? We’re still best friends with the bright kid in class," giving India a prime spot in the global spotlight.
By announcing a shared concern over a geography lesson (The Hormuz Strait), the headline suggests a "strategic alignment" that sounds much loftier than "we both want to keep gas prices from ruining our re-election chances."
When domestic critics start whispering about falling diplomatic ratings or Pakistan, acting as a Dalal has managed to host a negotiation exercise, albeit failed for now, or economic hiccups, there is nothing like a bit of high-seas drama of 45 minutes of telephonic engagement to change the narrative.
Talking about the Strait of Hormuz sounds "muscular" and "visionary," effectively drowning out boring conversations about GDP growth or regional friction.
Amidst a US blockade that puts India in a tight spot with Iran, this kind of Theatric serves as a soft cushion.
It says, "We aren't just following US orders; we are consulting on global stability."
It transforms a potential diplomatic headache into a joint mission for peace, even if that mission is just stating the obvious.
It’s a classic "Nothingburger" served with a side of "Strategic Importance" sauce. It tells the public that even if the world is on fire, our leader has the fire department's number on speed dial.
That the 45 Minutes telephonic chat was a "PERFORMATIVE DIPLOMACY" Guftagu, could be summed up in the lines of this Akbar Allahabadi's couplet: "Baat karne ka dhang hi badal diya unhon ne/Ab woh sach ko bhi tamasha bana dete hain"(They have changed the very way they speak; now, they turn even the truth into a public performance).
