Culture: A key feature to enhance ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Byline: Zubeda Anjum Niazi

Culture, albeit hard to describe is an essential concept in international affairs and is easily understood. Moreover, international relations itself, in its broadest sense is the outcome of the interaction between diverse cultures. At a basic level culture can be explained as the man-made part of the environment and is communicable, providing patterns, knowledge, and meanings of social activity as well as with respect to the world. Culture plays an important role in influencing the structure of humans as well as state relationships, values, and world views. In this vein, to strengthen their positions in the international system, states formulate ties based on political, economic, humanitarian, strategic, and cultural aspects. Likewise, good relations with other states in the system are very important for prosperity. Every nation has weak and strong points which make them form alliances that are mutually beneficial. The same is the case with the ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Although the two states enjoy cordial relations because of the similarities, there is a need to further enhance the ties and for that culture can serve to be an important tool. Such cooperation amongst states is an effective tool to fortify, share and hasten development within the states and across the region.

This article aims to analyze culture as a key feature to enhance ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Cultural Diplomacy: A tool to strengthen ties Today's world is an increasingly globalized and interdependent one where technology has ensured access to everything and everyone more than ever. To strengthen ties between two states, culture plays an important role, and there in comes the significant phenomenon of cultural diplomacy. In international relations, cultural diplomacy according to the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy can be defined as "a course of actions that stems from the exchange of ideas, traditions, values and other aspects of identity or culture." It can be employed to enhance relations, reinforce socio-cultural collaboration and promote national interests.

Cultural diplomacy can establish peace and stability around the world and has the potential to influence global opinion along with the ideology of individuals, communities, and nations. It has existed for centuries and has been practiced by nations throughout history, although the term "cultural diplomacy" is a fairly new one. Travelers, teachers, explorers...