Multidimensional --- Good question Mamta, but I'm afraid it's one without clear answer. Public image is an asset on its own that can prove useful in many different areas; investors tends to invest in countries that are considered as 'stable' and 'safe'; such countries also tend to attract more highly educated expats and immigrants which then results in their further development in many fields, from technology to medicine; their voice is then also better heard in the international setting thus giving them much stronger 'punch' than they would have without the 'good reputation'.

In other words, the soft power that comes as a result of (good) public diplomacy is a multidimensional thing that, in the end, benefits the whole country/society.

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu