“The credibility of international agreements depends less on their design and more on the political will of signatories.” Examine its implications for global diplomacy.

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Q3. “The credibility of international agreements depends less on their design and more on the political will of signatories.” Examine its implications for global diplomacy. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the question
Frequent breakdown of international agreements in recent years has raised concerns about the role of political commitment in sustaining global cooperation.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires examining the primacy of political will over institutional design in determining credibility of agreements and analysing its implications for global diplomacy in contemporary international relations.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Brief context on evolution of international agreements and importance of credibility in global governance

Body

• Role of political will in credibility of agreements: Importance of compliance, continuity, and commitment beyond formal design
• Implications for global diplomacy: Impact on trust, multilateralism, and shift towards transactional and strategic approaches

Conclusion

Need for strengthening trust-based diplomacy and consistent commitment for stable global order