Pilgrimage diplomacyordargahdiplomacy[1]is a new term in political science and international relations. It usually refers to officials or politicians traveling to a non-friendly or enemy country under the pretext of pilgrimage or visiting a holy shrine, but with the aim of political discussion or a political visit. An example of such a pilgrimage isIranianofficials' travel toMeccaand to an Iraqi holy shrine in the 1970s and 1980s. Another example is Pakistani PresidentAsif Ali Zardari's "private spiritual journey" to India to visit theAjmer Sharif Dargah,which ended with acceptance by Indian Prime MinisterManmohan Singhto travel to Pakistan. Some mass media suggested that the pilgrimage visit should set the stage for the two sides to tackle contentious issues tensions and obstacles.[2][3]
