The ‘Soft Power’ of India and India in the world !

What is ‘Soft Power’ ?

Joseph Nye introduced the concept of ‘Soft Power’ in the late 1980s. For Nye, power is the ability to influence the behaviour of others to get the outcomes you want. There are several ways one can achieve this : You can coerce them with threats; you can induce them with payments or you can attract and co-opt them to want what you want. This Soft Power – getting others to want the outcomes you want – co-opts people rather than coerces them. ‘Soft Power’ tends to work indirectly by shaping the environment for policy, and sometimes takes years to produce the desired outcomes.

Unless we don’t fight an all out war, we will not be able to succeed in the economic war we are fighting against China !

1. The importance of ‘Hard Power’ and ‘Soft Power’ in the Nation’s progress

For the Nation to maintain the potency of its security, it has to use its all-inclusive national power. This includes two important aspects – ‘Hard Power’ and ‘Soft Power’. ‘Hard Power’ includes the Nation’s army, intelligence system, technological capability, etc., whereas ‘Soft Power’ includes the Nation’s cultural and spiritual strength, festivals, tourism, etc. Both – ‘Hard Power’ and ‘Soft Power’ – are necessary for the Nation to progress and remain safe.

2. ‘Soft Power’ and the importance of Diwali at the world level

Diwali is celebrated not only in India, but in many countries in the world. Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, addressed the people on the occasion of Diwali. The speech of the Australian Prime Minister sounded very much that of an Indian’s. The response of the President and Vice-President of the USA, Boris Johnson (Prime Minister of England) and Canada conveyed how important Diwali is at the world level. A proposal was presented in the American Parliament for ‘Diwali vacations’ considering it to be a ‘National festival’.

3. Benefits of ‘Soft Power’ for India

A. Good reputation in the whole world : India has gained a very good reputation in the world because of its Soft Power. People in the world feel that India is a good country. Contrary to what China portrays, Indians are not aggressive – they neither trouble the world, nor do they spread terrorism. The whole world is aware that whenever Indians go to foreign countries either to settle or for education, they surely contribute to that Nation’s progress.

B. The support of Indians in foreign countries to that particular country : Approximately 3 crore Indians reside in various countries all over the world. They are a big support for those countries. This is the ‘Soft Power’.

India has developed good relations with other countries because of this. India gets support from various countries in the United Nations; for example, the United Nations appointed India to the Human Rights Council despite opposition from China.

India gets a good number of votes in various committees of the United Nations. India has developed good trade relations with various countries. Hence, Diwali is a good opportunity for India becoming a ‘Soft Power’.

4. Increase in the perception of India being a ‘Soft Power’ due to tourism

Some days ago, an international airport was inaugurated at Kushinagar in North India. This airport has been started for Buddhist tourism. Gautam Buddha has done a lot of work in various parts of India. The Buddhist countries in the world wish to be a part of India. The ‘Soft Power’ of India will increase due to this airport as it will accelerate tourism.

Spiritual tourism, adventure tourism and religious tourism (For example Ayodhya) is increasing in India. Tourism is beneficial for India and it is free of pollution. People benefit from increase in tourism. This is the effect of ‘Soft Power’. Tourism at magnificient places in India gets impetus and leads to the economic growth of the country.

5. An all out war has to be fought against China to win the economic war

Indians avoided buying Chinese products this Diwali. Hence, China has faced economic loss to the tune of Rupees 50,000 crore. This is a big success for India; we are not supposed to rest here, but fight for years. ‘Be Indian, buy Indian’ has to be our slogan. The shopkeepers who sell Chinese products should be boycotted. If people in the corporate sector are still buying Chinese products, they too must be socially boycotted. Unless we don’t fight an all out war, we will not be able to succeed in the economic war that we are fighting against China.

– (Retd.) Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, Pune.