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Module - III Geo-Politics

Security and Geo-Strategy
8.2.2 Soft Power

India has a wide range of soft power resources. The country is keen to wield its soft
power. Soft power includes promotion of Yoga, Indian arts and crafts, music and
culture in general. The Bollywood-made cinemas are popular in many continents.
India's Cricket and Hockey teams are also famous. Its vast variety from music to
Note football to cuisine and diversity has attracted the west. India's Ministry of External
Affairs has a special focus to exercise Soft Power.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been a key partner to strengthen
external relations in various ways. Ministry of Tourism and other governmental partners
are devoted to exercising India's soft power.

Soft power is the use of a country's cultural, social and economic
influence over other countries in order to persuade them to do something
without the use of hard power.
India has been show casing its social, political, and cultural assets abroad through
various channels- directly and indirectly. In its neighbourhood, it has lent its support on
various occasions to build friendly relations.

For example, soon after the massive earthquake in Nepal in 2015, India's Ministry of
Home Affairs sent Indian Armed Forces and National Disaster Response Force. The
operation was known as "Maitri". The Indian Air Force used Advanced Light
Helicopters, Mi-17 and other aircrafts to rescue and distribute relief materials. India is
the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan.
Similarly, be it cyclone-hit Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, the Indian Government has used
its soft and hard power to rescue people who were trapped in natural disasters and
has sent large amounts of relief materials from time to time. The role of India in Sri
Lanka is well known. During the time of Sri Lankan civil war India sent thousands of
Peace Keeping Forces and constructed over 50,000 houses to give shelter to refugees.

Besides, the influence of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism on its neighbours cannot be
forgotten. Ethnic ties too strengthen India's Soft Power. The case of Tamil speaking
Sri Lanka, Singapore or Bengali speaking Bangladesh is a good example of influence
of language and culture. Philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and other thinkers have
also inspired many countries extremely.

In terms of Science and Technology India's achievements are huge as compared to its
neighbours. India saw massive success in its Moon Mission. Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) is globally admired and has hundreds of successful missions to
its credit. The Soft Power helps not only to shape Indian foreign policy but also other
country's policy towards India.

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