Tillotoma FoundationAcademic Programmes
For students and professionals aiming at diplomacy, foreign policy, geopolitics, international affairs, think tanks, defence, civil services and global organisations
International Diploma Course on Diplomacy, Strategy & Foreign Policy
Learn to read global events the way practitioners do — and to speak, write and negotiate in the language of statecraft.
Offered by Tillotoma Foundation, a global research institution working at the intersection of diplomacy, strategy and international affairs.
- Duration
- 4 months
- Format
- Fully online · VLE · English
- Next cohort
- Begins 2 November
- Course Fees
- ₹ 1,999
- Certification
- Diploma on completion
- Eligibility
- Open to all
Taught by world-class faculty — senior experts and diplomats who have worked inside the rooms where policy is made.
Admissions for the cohort beginning 2 November close before the start date.
About the programme
A structured entry into global affairs
The International Diploma Course on Diplomacy, Strategy & Foreign Policy is a four-month, fully online programme offered by the Tillotoma Foundation — a global research organization and think tank working at the intersection of diplomacy, policy, strategy and international affairs.
It is built for students, young professionals, senior learners and civil service aspirants who want to understand how foreign policy is made, how diplomacy functions in practice, and how to build a credible career in international relations.
Why join this course
Learn from global experts
Sessions are led by internationally recognised scholars, former diplomats, policymakers and subject-matter specialists who translate lived experience into method you can use.
Practical and applied learning
Move beyond theory through case studies, simulations and scenario-based exercises that prepare you for careers in diplomacy, government, international organisations and policy research.
Holistic personal development
Build the critical thinking, negotiation, analytical writing and communication skills that international affairs professionals rely on every day.
Affordable and accessible
Access world-class expertise at a subsidised fee of ₹1,999, making structured, high-quality international education available to motivated learners across India and beyond.
What you will study
International Relations & Diplomacy
Theories, historical evolution and contemporary practice of diplomacy between states, institutions and non-state actors.
Geopolitics & Area Studies
Regional and global strategic trends across the Indo-Pacific, Eurasia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
Defence, Security & Policy
National security frameworks, defence strategy, deterrence, coercion and crisis management.
International Law & Trade
Global legal structures, treaties, trade agreements, sanctions regimes and the negotiation dynamics behind them.
Science Policy & Climate Diplomacy
The role of science, technology and climate governance in shaping modern international cooperation and competition.
Gender & Inclusion in International Affairs
Gendered perspectives and equity questions in policy, security, diplomacy and global governance.
By the end of the programme
Analyze global events
Read international developments with strategic insight and critical reasoning rather than relying on headlines alone.
Apply diplomatic tools
Use negotiation frameworks, communication techniques and scenario thinking in practical policy situations.
Develop policy outputs
Produce policy briefs, strategy papers and professional presentations that decision-makers actually read.
Build a global network
Connect with a diverse international cohort of learners, practitioners and mentors.
Certification & recognition
Certification & recognition
Participants who complete the coursework receive a Diploma Certificate from Tillotoma Foundation. The entire learning experience — global faculty, structured curriculum and recognised credential — is offered at a subsidised fee of ₹1,999.
The Tillotoma academic ecosystem
Rigorous learning, shaped around each participant
Tillotoma Foundation offers a distinguished portfolio of short- and medium-duration academic programmes across a diverse range of disciplines, designed and delivered by leading scholars, diplomats, and practitioners from our global expert network.
Each programme brings together international cohorts of learners and experts in an immersive and intellectually rigorous environment that combines academic excellence with practical, hands-on learning. Through simulations, policy exercises, and mentorship interactions, participants gain not only theoretical insight but also the professional skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.
The Foundation emphasizes personalized academic guidance, ensuring that every participant’s learning journey is tailored to their individual aspirations and professional trajectory. This holistic approach fosters both intellectual growth and global competence, offering a truly transformative educational experience.
Graduates of our academic programmes and integrated internships have gone on to pursue impactful careers with the United Nations, leading international organizations, research institutions, and global think tanks, reflecting the strength, value and reach of the Tillotoma Foundation’s academic ecosystem.
3 months of Research internship experience
Beyond the coursework, every participant is placed into a structured research internship with Tillotoma Foundation — working on live geopolitical and policy questions, building a portfolio and learning how research informs real-world analysis.
What you walk away with
A way of thinking you will use for the rest of your career
Think and write like an analyst
Build the analytical habits behind serious policy work: framing a question, weighing evidence, and defending a judgement in writing that decision-makers actually read.
Understand negotiation and statecraft
Work through how states, institutions and corporations bargain — interests, leverage, signalling and the quiet mechanics of getting to agreement.
Read the world strategically
Move past headlines to the structural forces — geography, economics, alliances, technology — that decide how events actually unfold.
Learn from practitioners, not just texts
Sessions led by senior experts and diplomats who translate lived experience into method you can use.
Earn a credential that signals seriousness
A diploma from Tillotoma Foundation that tells admissions committees and employers you have done structured work in this field.
Study without relocating
Fully online across four months, designed for people already carrying a degree, a job or an exam preparation schedule.
Want the full syllabus, fees and admission steps?
Course structure
Four months, eight areas of serious study
Foundations of Diplomacy
- The state system, sovereignty and recognition
- Bilateral, multilateral and summit diplomacy
- Diplomatic practice, protocol and instruments
Strategy, Security & Statecraft
- Classical and contemporary strategic thought
- Instruments of power: military, economic, informational
- Deterrence, coercion and escalation management
Foreign Policy Analysis
- How foreign policy is actually made
- Domestic politics, institutions and decision-making
- Comparative case studies across major and middle powers
Geoeconomics and Global Governance
- Trade, sanctions, supply chains and industrial policy
- The UN system, regional bodies and international law
- Climate, technology and emerging governance domains
Area Studies of Eurasia
- Historical and contemporary geopolitics of Eurasia
- Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe
- Energy corridors, transport networks and great-power competition
Area Studies of the Indo-Pacific
- Strategic geography and maritime order in the Indo-Pacific
- India, China, ASEAN, Japan, Korea and Australia: interests and rivalries
- Quad, AUKUS, minilaterals and the future of regional security
Negotiation and Crisis Diplomacy
- Negotiation frameworks and simulation exercises
- Mediation, back-channels and Track 2 diplomacy
- Managing crises under time and information pressure
Applied Capstone
- Write a policy brief on a live international question
- Structured feedback from faculty practitioners
- Present and defend your assessment
The faculty
Taught by people who have done the work
Sessions are led by world-class faculty — senior experts and diplomats with direct experience of negotiation, policy formulation and international institutions. You learn method from practice, not only from textbooks.
Many of our faculty bring more than four decades of experience in diplomacy, strategy and international affairs — careers spent serving across continents, negotiating agreements and advising governments at the highest levels.
Alongside the practitioners, accomplished professors from top global universities join the programme, grounding every session in rigorous scholarship and the latest research in international relations.
Practitioner-led
Senior experts and diplomats
Structured method
Analysis, writing, negotiation
Recognised credential
Diploma on completion
Distinguished faculty
Dr Meena Singh Roy
Centre Head (West & Central Asia) & Senior Fellow
Tillotoma Foundation
Dr Meena Singh Roy has more than three decades of experience in teaching and world-class research in International Relations, Geopolitics, Area Studies and Defence Studies. She is one of India's leading experts on the Middle East, Central Asia and Eurasia.
Distinguished faculty
Ambassador (Dr) Gauri Shankar Gupta
Former Indian Ambassador, High Commissioner and Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO
Tillotoma Foundation
Ambassador (Dr) Gauri Shankar Gupta served as India’s Ambassador to Mongolia, Hungary and Bosnia & Herzegovina and as High Commissioner of India to Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat. He also served as India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO. He is a noted expert on Indian foreign policy, cultural diplomacy as well as spiritual and environmental issues and has addressed global audiences on these areas.
Distinguished faculty
Ambassador Achal Kumar Malhotra
Former Indian Ambassador · Distinguished Fellow (South Caucasus)
Tillotoma Foundation
Ambassador Achal Kumar Malhotra served as India’s Ambassador to Armenia and Georgia. He also served as India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna. He is one of India’s leading experts on the South Caucasus and Eurasian region. He has authored multiple books on this subject.
Distinguished faculty
Ambassador Anil Wadhwa
Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India · Distinguished Fellow (Europe & Indo-Pacific)
Tillotoma Foundation
Ambassador Anil Wadhwa served as the Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. He also served as Indian Ambassador to Italy, Poland, Oman and Thailand. He is a leading expert on India's foreign policy towards East and Southeast Asia.
Delivered through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
All teaching takes place on the Tillotoma Foundation's dedicated Virtual Learning Environment — a modern online campus built exclusively for this course. Log in from anywhere and the entire programme is at your fingertips: live classes, materials, assignments and your progress, all in one place.
Live interactive sessions
Attend evening classes led by diplomats and experts, with discussion and Q&A built into every session.
Everything in one campus
Lecture materials, readings and session recordings are organised module by module — you never miss a class.
Assignments & quizzes online
Submit written work and take integrated quizzes within the platform, with your grades and feedback released to you.
Your progress at a glance
The next class schedule, announcements and your coursework are visible the moment you sign in.
Recognition you can share
Your diploma. Verifiable. Shareable. Yours.
Turn your academic achievement into a visible part of your professional story. Your Tillotoma Foundation diploma comes with a unique credential ID and a public verification page — ready to share with employers, collaborators and your network.
Authenticity, a link away
Anyone with your verification link can confirm the recipient, programme, issue date and current credential status.
Add it to your LinkedIn profile
Open LinkedIn with your programme, issuing organisation, credential ID and verification URL already filled in. Review and save it to your profile.
Made for your digital résumé
Copy a ready-to-use résumé entry or verification link, and print or save your diploma as a PDF in landscape or portrait.
Office of Academic Programmes
Tillotoma Foundation
Diploma Certificate
This is to certify that
Your name
has successfully completed the
International Diploma Course on Diplomacy, Strategy & Foreign Policy
Kamakshi Wason
Kamakshi Wason
Executive Director of Academic Programmes
Tillotoma Foundation
Programme perspectives
A serious programme for globally minded learners
Explore the breadth of the course, its international faculty and the academic support designed for students and working professionals.
Campaign artwork may refer to earlier programme formats. Current cohort details are stated on this page and confirmed by the programme office.
From our participants
What past students say
The Diploma Course has had a very positive and constructive impact on my academic understanding of diplomacy. As I am currently pursuing a PhD on Digital Diplomacy, it was a great opportunity to learn Diplomacy and International Relations from its basic foundation. The classes were very useful. The overall management was very efficient in running the course. Thanks to Kamakshi ma’am for seamlessly running the sessions and the discussion.
Having done this program, I have been able to learn more about international politics, an enriching vision from experts in the field, not only at a theoretical level but they are very involved in the current context. The cultural, political and economic approach of the different topics learned have contributed to my professional growth with a global vision.
My journey with the Tillotoma Foundation has been one of the most enriching experiences. Discussions on topics like Space diplomacy, India-Japan relations and Counter-Insurgency provided me with a constructive view of India’s diplomatic engagements and the global scenario. Each insightful session with distinguished guests has been interactive and, for an IR enthusiast like me, it helps to understand different perspectives. I am extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity.
This cohort was magical for me. As an International Relations enthusiast, it was a pleasure listening to Ambassadors sharing their lifetime experiences. Every session was based on a different topic. I loved how the theoretical meaning of every topic was related to the current geopolitical scenario. For those looking for knowledge way beyond textbooks, I highly recommend joining the Tillotoma Foundation cohort.
From gathering knowledge about world affairs and diplomacy to understanding their real-time facets, the diploma course was an insightful step further into the International Relations arena. Talks delivered by experienced and esteemed ambassadors, professors and experts gave an overview of India and its international standing in world affairs. The course was unique in providing direct interaction with experts through enriching Q&A sessions. The comprehensive assessment on Science Diplomacy and Border Security broadened my knowledge of prevailing challenges, opportunities and significant upcoming trends in geopolitics and Indian Foreign Policy.
The Diploma Course was a highly enriching experience for me. The opportunity to engage in discussions with eminent IFS officers and policy makers was particularly valuable. Each session was interactive, intellectually stimulating, and provided practical insights into real-world governance and foreign policy dynamics. Overall, the course significantly enhanced my understanding and analytical perspective, and I truly appreciate the effort put into curating such a meaningful learning journey.
I had the privilege of participating in the Diploma Course on Diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy conducted by Tillotoma Foundation, and it was an extraordinary experience that exceeded all my expectations. I gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of diplomacy and the nuances of Indian foreign policy, thanks to the exceptional guidance and expertise provided by Dr Kamakshi Wason and Mr Soham Das. The inclusive learning environment encouraged participants to express their ideas and engage in thoughtful discussions, and their commitment to academic excellence was truly inspiring.
My experience with the Tillotoma Foundation has been immensely knowledgeable and has helped me look at global trajectories from different lenses of perception. This Diploma Course on Diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy has pushed me to think about establishing my own school of thought in the sphere of international relations and foreign policy. I am grateful to the Tillotoma Foundation.
I’m delighted to have been part of the March–April ’23 cohort of the Diploma Course on Diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy, where we were given the chance to learn from and interact with dignitaries. The lectures expanded our horizons of knowledge while helping us realise the ground realities of different situations. Session recordings and a responsive team made it possible to revisit the learning and ask questions about international affairs. I am grateful to the dignitaries who shared their time and expertise, and to Mr Soham Das and Dr Kamakshi Wason for making the cohort smooth and organised.
Learning from professionals felt both surreal and deeply engaging after encountering politics and international relations mainly through textbooks. Seeing experts apply ideas in a practical context was the best part. The sessions taught me to approach issues with an open mind and to look for possibilities in difficult situations. I am especially grateful for the session recordings, the prominent speakers and the opportunity to learn directly from them.
The next cohort begins 2 November. Speak to the programme office today.
Register
Secure your place in the next cohort
Complete the registration form and the programme office will confirm your seat, share the admission steps and guide you through enrolment for the cohort beginning 2 November.
- Your details go directly to the programme office
- Confirmation of registration by email
- Admission steps and fee structure shared on confirmation
Admissions
Request the full course details
Tell us a little about yourself and the programme office will send the syllabus, session schedule, fee structure and admission steps.
- Complete syllabus and reading approach
- Fee structure and payment options
- Session timings for the upcoming cohort
- Admission steps and confirmation of seat
Programme leadership
Kamakshi Wason
Executive Director of Academic Programmes
Guiding the Foundation’s academic vision, programme experience and engagement between learners, diplomats, scholars and practitioners.