Tea diplomacy is the practice of using tea ceremonies and other tea-related rituals to facilitate diplomatic relations between different cultures and countries. It could simply mean organizing ‘high tea’ where people drink tea and eat snacks and socialize. It’s drinking tea while paying homage to one’s culture. Tea diplomacy uses tea as a tool to promote diplomacy and build relationships between people, communities, organizations, and nations. Sharing tea can boost camaraderie between communities. By sharing a cup of tea, people can connect with each other on a deeper level and build lasting relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. In many cultures, tea is seen as a symbol of hospitality and friendship, and the act of sharing tea is considered a sacred and meaningful ritual. The concept of tea diplomacy is centuries old. Today, a global organization convenes tea ceremonies to promote peace and help bridge cultural and political divides. Tea diplomacy is a type of cultural diplomacy, which is a subset of public diplomacy. Its basic premise is that the easiest way to win hearts and minds is through each sip of tea.

Tea diplomacy can also involve the exchange of tea leaves, teapots, and other tea-related gifts as a symbol of goodwill and friendship. Through tea diplomacy, countries can come together to promote peace, understanding, and cooperation. At the very least, sharing tea can promote conversations and that can lead to problem-solving.

This can include diplomatic gifts of tea, organizing tea ceremonies and events, and using tea as a way to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for diplomatic discussions. The practice is believed to have originated in ancient China and has been used by many cultures throughout history as a way to promote goodwill and understanding. Tea diplomacy refers to the use of a country’s tea resources to influence tea food markets and to influence international political and economic relations beyond the tea market. I would love to promote Nepali tea globally because Nepal has some of the most fragrant tea leaves. Nepal’s unique tea could be a tool to promote the country and its people. It’s believed that the first tea bushes in Nepal were a gift by a Chinese emperor to Nepal’s then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana. Another story says that in 1863, Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa, son-in-law of Jung Bahadur Rana visited Darjeeling and tasted tea for the first time. In 1959, he established the first tea plantation in a private tea sector in the tarai. The plantation was registered in the name of Bhudhakaran Tea Estate. Nepal Tea Development Corporation was established in 1966 by the government of Nepal to aid the development of the tea industry. Tea was assumed to be first popularized among royals, elites, and Lhasa merchants before it became common to the Nepali populace. So, Nepal’s foray into brewing tea as a beverage has a long history and an interesting narrative of how it became a beloved drink found in all corners of the country. Nepal has the world’s best quality tea to offer. Our tea is fragrant, rich, and delicious. It may not be native to Nepal, but we have made it uniquely ours. The aroma of the tea brings harmony and creativity. Tea has also become a symbol of our hospitality and culture. Nepal should promote ‘tea diplomacy’ as we are one of the best tea producers in the world. The credit of introducing tea to Nepal goes somewhat to the British who were very fond of tea. Tea wasn’t a common beverage in the early 1900s in Nepal. However, according to various accounts of the Ranas, tea was offered to guests, especially British guests or any foreigners. The English have the best tea culture in the world. ‘Afternoon Tea’ is very popular in Great Britain. Tea is one of those things that encapsulates ‘britishness’. So, it makes a lot of sense that we used tea as a medium to promote hospitality with foreigners, mostly the British. The tea diplomacy initiative can connect local farmers and entrepreneurs across communities and countries. Nepal can support farmers to grow the best quality tea. This can be promoted through marketing and campaigns among consumers throughout the world. Nepali tea can become the next branding initiative that promotes Nepal and its culture. Nepali leaders can also promote Nepali tea by gifting it to their counterparts on diplomatic visits. This would be a wonderful tactic as everybody loves tea. Tea diplomacy could be the next big movement by Nepal to carve a niche in world politics. The author is a London-based Nepali R&D chef