Kathmandu: The President of the International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD), Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, held a meeting with the Executive Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) Ms. Priyanthi Fernando at the BCIS premises in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 7.
During the meeting, Amb. Dr. Sarmila introduced IRGDD as a premier platform dedicated to advancing Track 1.5 and Track II diplomacy, highlighting the importance of international relations and diplomacy in navigating contemporary global dynamics and emphasizing its focus on establishing strategic institutional linkages and building national capacity.
Furthering the discussion, Amb. Dr. Sarmila outlined the four core pillars of the institution, The Ambassadors Club Nepal, IRGDD, The Diplomat Nepal magazine, and the Diplomatic Academy Nepal (DAN), all driven by the foundational vision of “Development through Diplomacy”.
Similarly, Ms. Fernando elaborated on the history and commitment of BCIS as a premier education and research institution specializing in international relations and global governance in Sri Lanka.
The dialogue focused on expanding cooperation between the two institutions in the fields of policy research, market access, and strategic analysis. Both leadership sides engaged in discussions on strengthening regional diplomacy, broadening joint research and publication initiatives, and exploring new avenues for academic and diplomatic collaboration.
Moving forward, both organizations explored strategic potential for collaboration across their respective platforms, such as the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Both institutions expressed a shared commitment to translating these discussions into concrete initiatives, aimed at driving impactful foreign policy research, fostering institutional synergy, and building a more globally connected South Asia.
