Archive · 25 Jun 2025
India's Soft Power: Shaping Global Influence Through Culture
India is using its culture, like yoga, movies, and education, to make friends around the world.
This is called soft power.
Instead of using force, India attracts others with its ideas, values, and traditions.
They are showing off things like their digital systems for money and IDs.
India wants to be a leader in education, offering both ancient wisdom and new ideas.
This helps India connect with people everywhere, making them see India in a positive light and building influence through culture and connection.
India's soft power strategy, central to its diplomacy, has evolved significantly over the past decade.
Soft power is rooted in India's civilization, democratic values, and inclusive global engagement.
Prime Minister Modi's leadership has emphasized soft power, using festivals, films, and exchanges.
Education diplomacy, including 'Study in India' and NEP 2020, aims to make India a global education hub.
India's digital infrastructure, like UPI and Aadhaar, showcases ethical and people-centric technology.
- Who
- India, led by the Modi government, and its people, including the diaspora.
- What
- India's strategy and efforts to enhance its soft power influence globally.
- When
- Over the past decade, especially since 2014, with emphasis on the G20 presidency in 2023.
- Where
- Globally, with specific examples in India and events around the world.
- Why
- To shape global preferences and build influence through cultural appeal and attraction.
Traditional View
India's Perspective
Approach to Diplomacy
Traditional View
Traditional view of diplomacy focused on hard power.
India's Perspective
India's approach centers on soft power through cultural exports, inclusive values, and digital innovation.
- Soft Power Definition
- Ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction.
- G20 Presidency Theme
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: “One Earth, One Family, One Future”
- Key Initiatives
- Study in India, Institutes of Eminence, NEP 2020, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Digital Infrastructure Examples
- UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker
- Diaspora Role
- A potent force in the soft power matrix, contributing across sectors