On Monday, 2^nd September, 2023, National Institute of Management, Lahore arranged a lecture discussion on “Foreign Policy and Trade Diplomacy” for the participants of 38^th MCMC, with eminent speaker, Ambassador (R) Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

Ambassador (R) Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry explained the determinants of the foreign policy and defined the terms foreign policy and diplomacy. Foreign policy refers to the set of strategies, principles, and objectives that a country or a government formulates to guide its interactions with other countries and international actors. Diplomacy, on the other hand, is a specific tool or method used to implement foreign policy, and the purpose of foreign policy it to promote good relations with other countries. The principles of foreign policy are to respect the sovereignty of other countries. The determinants of foreign policy are the goals and priorities of a country, strengths and vulnerabilities, and global conflicts and regional dynamics.

Dr. Manzoor Ahmad suggested that USA – China competition can be an opportunity for Pakistan. Other regional disputes such as Russia Ukraine war, rapid changes in the Middle East specially in KSA, increased cooperation between India and USA and Afghan and Iran situations have significant effects on our foreign policy. He further deliberated that foreign policy of Pakistan is formulated to protect a country’s core values, national security, ideological goals, as well as economic prosperity. They also emphasized that no country has ever progressed without flourishing trade and it is trade diplomacy that strengthens the economic power and capabilities of a nation state.