An interactive session titled “Science Diplomacy in the International Context: The Role of the Biopharmaceutical Industry” was organised by the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH), on 12th March 2025. Dr. S. Shaji, a professor at the department, introduced the guest, Mr. Danev Valerino, a JICA Scholar at Tokyo International University, highlighting his background and achievements while providing some brief insights into the topic at hand. The talk centred on the idea that scientific and social knowledge is perceived to be moving in opposite directions and that there was an urgent need to bridge the gap between the two in the form of science diplomacy, which holds immense significance in influencing the dynamics of international relations.
The speaker aptly highlighted this point throughout the talk, beginning with posing the contradiction between the increasing natural/human disasters and the advances in science and technology innovation in the 21st century. This contradiction suggests that something has gone awry in the process, and this, according to Mr Valerino, was due to science and health being considered a ‘low-priority issue’. Most of the cooperation that has come to life has been guided by emergencies caused by diseases rather than health promotion, which suggests a need for change to develop a more sustainable and adequate course of action. The answer was suggested to promote scientific health policy in connection with foreign policy in the form of ‘Science diplomacy’. Changes over time, such as the emergence of new transnational actors, progressive privatisation of health and its related policies, and the increased role of financial institutions in financing the health sector, among others, have been a cause for concern and make the call for the promotion of science diplomacy all the more urgent.
Bringing in the theoretical dimension, the speaker explained how some scholars perceive health diplomacy to be a form of soft/smart power. This idea is considered a potential tool recognised by developed countries that can be used by developing countries to improve cooperation. He also underlined that while there are varying views on science diplomacy, which he articulated as three broad variants, namely, science for diplomacy, diplomacy for science and science in diplomacy, each representing a differing perception of bringing science and diplomacy together, all of them recognise its importance and the need for its promotion.
He tied up his presentation by highlighting that for countries to succeed in science diplomacy endeavours, they needed to possess a high degree of development and investment in health, science and diplomacy individually. This was stated as the prime reason India has a high responsibility to engage with science diplomacy, as India meets the criteria. However, it is important to have government support to propel investment into innovation and market diversification. The call was to focus on building the new rather than tearing down the past to exact change.
Many of these key points were flagged by the discussant, Anamika PK, a Masters’ student from the department, who emphasised the thin boundaries between what is perceived as ‘low’ or ‘high’ politics and the need to not differentiate between the two in order to bring about effective change in the international arena. She also brought up the questions of the changing global dynamics towards nationalistic tendencies alongside the concern over ethical considerations as key issues hindering cooperation. The speaker addressed this by engaging with the idea that if countries choose to withdraw from cooperative efforts, it would create a power vacuum which would inadvertently be filled by one country or another, if only for profit.
Further, as the discussant pointed out, he emphasised the importance of ethics and ‘know-how’ as important factors in the research field. Mr Valerino tackled this by underlining the need for joint collaborations between countries and convincing patent holders of potential profits by sharing their intellectual property. Further questions were raised by the audience over the incompatibilities that may arise in the diplomatic process as well as the practical obstacles of bridging the gap between science and humanities. In response to this, he stressed the need for proficient open-mindedness, diplomatic officials, regional collaboration, and strong political will to affect substantial change in the international arena.
Concluding the session, Dr. Shaji, summarised the presentation and delivered the vote of thanks, with the interactions on the topic flowing among the attendees and the speaker over refreshments.
Contributed by: Ann Elza Varughese, M. A. Political Science