Diplomatic Interreligious Dialogue in the Framework of Interreligious Relations

The article examines the practice of interaction between the heads of religious communities which is referred to as “diplomatic interreligious dialogue”. One of the most common forms of the manifestation of diplomatic dialogue is participation of religious leaders in a variety of interreligious summits and conferences. The first part of the article briefly describes main types of interreligious dialogue: polemical, cognitive, peacemaking and partner ship. The second part gives a general description of diplomatic interreligious dialogue that can be considered as one of a type of peacemaking dialogue. The third part of the article analyzes several critical arguments in relation to diplomatic dialogue: this form of communication cannot be called a dialogue in the true sense; predominance of secular discourse; low efficiency. The author has come to the conclusion that diplomatic dialogue occupies its niche in the system of interreligious relations. And it is incorrect to evaluate diplomatic dialogue from the point of view of other types of interreligious dialogue that pursue different goals and are based on different principles.