China retains position as world’s top diplomatic power: Report

China has the most expansive diplomatic network in the world, ahead of the second-place United States, according to the 2024 Global Diplomacy Index by the Lowy Institute of Australia.

The data, released on Sunday, showed the US has 271 diplomatic missions spread across the globe, behind China with 3 more.

China overtook the US as the country with the largest global network of embassies and consulates in 2019.

The Lowy Institute’s report visualizes the diplomatic networks of 66 countries and territories in Asia, the Group of 20 and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

“Among the various forms of national power – economic, military and technological – diplomacy has been one of the most undercounted, and thus often overlooked, levers of influence,” said the report, noting that the continued deepening and expansion of diplomatic footprints of the nations “reflect that, despite the ease of online connectivity, governments the world over continue to invest in face-to-face diplomacy and an on-the-ground presence.”

The Index showed third-place Turkey was rapidly expanding its diplomatic networks, having added 11 overseas posts since 2021. The majority of these new posts were in Africa, reflecting its increasing economic engagements in the region and its aspiration to emerge as a leader in the Global South.

The report said Ukraine’s war with Russia had led to a dwindling diplomatic network in some countries.

India – despite its foreign policy agenda, demographic features and economic size – ranked 11th on the Global Diplomacy Index by Lowy.

“The Global Diplomacy Index shows that governments continue to invest in diplomacy to project power and achieve their interests,” said Ryan Neelam, the director of the Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program at Lowy.

“The ongoing rivalry between the United States and China is reflected in the superpowers’ dominance in the 2024 rankings, while geopolitical competition has propelled Asia and the Pacific into focus.”

The data for the 2024 report was collected between July and November last year. The index was launched in 2016.

MG