Secretary of Defense Bob Gates was a tireless advocate for better cooperation between our development, diplomatic and defense operations. This recognition really began to take shape in the Bush administration in the aftermath of 9/11, where the President recognized that...we need all of our foreign policy tools working together in what is known as the smart power approach.

Brands from Brazil are capturing global attention and allegiance, while their Asian counterparts among the 'BRIC' countries, China and India lag behind, writes Jerry Clode, who leads cultural insight in Asia-Pacific for brand-development consultancy Added Value.

A significant factor helps these brands: Pakistanis love to emulate the west by buying and importing western brands. We do not wear products made in our own country, as they are widely – often unjustifiably – perceived to be inferior in quality. This is a mental state the Pakistani consumer finds difficult to shrug off: we think a global brand is far superior to one of our own.

Six teams from the Taiwan Kitefliers Association will visit Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific region to promote the country's popular folk art and boost cultural exchanges...Between August and October, the teams will visit Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Fiji to showcase their kite-flying skills and teach locals how to make and fly kites.

“We are very aware that US officials regularly discuss Tibet and many other human rights issues with like-minded governments. However, more visible, public and coordinated diplomacy is necessary for the Chinese government to feel pressure to alter its conduct."

When it comes to diplomatic achievements, often common citizens can be even more effective than foreign relations specialists. In all likelihood this is because, at the grassroots level, interaction on the basis of pure friendship is possible; whereas in relations between professional politicians, words and actions tend to be determined by national interests.

“Like India, we have a passion for fashion and Holland’s creative industry is ranked in the top ten of the world,” remarked Marielle van Miltenburg, head of political affairs and public diplomacy, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, as she formally announced the “Dutch Fashion Here and Now India” programme at the ongoing Delhi Couture Week.

On August 15, at President Pranab Mukherjee's first official 'At Home' in Rashtrapati Bhavan's Mughal Gardens, the menu will remain drearily unchanged: samosas, idlis, sandwiches and tea-coffee. Contrast that with the White House, where food is an important tool of US public diplomacy, with everything from its executive chef to its kitchen garden and banquet menus carefully selected and promoted.