Rising India’s Soft Power: Illusion or Influence?
Abstract
This article traces how India’s soft power has been analysed over the years since its conceptualisation in the 1990s. It argues that most of the focus has been on its potential non-military elements of soft power thereby perpetuating illusion about India’s soft power rather than its real power or influence. It further agues on the basis of a case study that the higher level of hard power results in higher level of soft power. Rather than emulating the US or China in promoting cultural and public diplomacy that give soft power indirectly, India needs to focus on growing more economically and spending more on military because they are foundational for soft power. Soft power like power in general is however contextual
Fields of Study & Subjects
International Relations and Foreign Policy
Leadership
Human Resources
Global Affairs
Asian Culture and Media Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- UNISCI Journal
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 70-71
- Pages
- 67–94
- Publication date
- 15 January 2026
- Language
- EN