Throughout the centuries diplomatic relations have provided a means for states to advance their strategic interests, relationships and foreign policy objectives. Although traditionally considered one of the basic attributes of state sovereignty, the practice of diplomacy has undergone multiple transformations. The contemporary sphere of diplomacy encompasses a wide variety of actors, institutions and sectoral interests.
In its classic sense, a state maintains diplomatic relations with other states and international organizations through a network of embassies and consulates staffed by professional diplomats. The emergence of the concept of “nongovernmental diplomacy” in recent decades reflects an expansion in the scope of diplomacy to include grassroots interactions among governments and their citizens facilitated by global travel and communication technologies.
The most formal level of diplomatic relations is that characterized by the exchange of resident ambassadors. Historically, ambassadors were generally nobles sent on long-term missions to a foreign country, supported by an extensive entourage and a cadre of local staff.
The personal inviolability of envoys, first granted in ancient times to religious pilgrims, became established as an accepted principle during the Renaissance when it was increasingly necessary for envoys to move between hostile states. With the development of codification and the emergence of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, many of these customary rules of international law have been standardized, and they have enjoyed a high degree of adherence among States parties. However, the Convention does not address every aspect of diplomatic law, and it does not prevent states from establishing additional norms and customs.
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