Science Diplomacy and Indian Freedom Movement: A Retrospective View of Events during the 1870s-1940s

Abstract

Science diplomacy has been a recent phenomenon that has captured the attention of policymakers. However, science and science diplomacy had been at the forefront of international relations as early as the 1850s. In this paper, a retrospective view of the role of science diplomacy during Colonial rule and its role in strengthening the Indian Swadeshi struggle is elucidated. The case study method is adopted to study three cases within the following framework: diplomacy in science; science for diplomacy; and science & diplomacy. The first case, ‘diplomacy in science’, illustrates from Indian scientists’ perspective the role of science in Indian diplomacy. Despite the challenges and extraneous prejudices, they were able to perform academically, create a connection with the international scientists, during their stay in a foreign land, and on their return home were successfully able to establish institutions of eminence. These institutions became the founding pillars of Indian science. The second case highlights ‘science for diplomacy’. It is related to the international politics on health diplomacy that forced the British to consider scientific interventions in India, particularly during the spread of Cholera. The third case, science with diplomacy illustrates the collaboration between Indian and British scientists. The study is an attempt to unravel the role of science, science diplomacy and Indian scientists during the Independence movement.