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India must realise its ‘soft’ power potential over China
India is well placed to become a leader in the Asian Century but it first must fully develop both its ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power credentials argues a new report released by The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) this week.
In Unrealised Potential: India’s ‘Soft Power’ Ambition in Asia Dr John Lee, CIS Foreign Policy Research Fellow, highlights that, unlike China, the region does not fear a rising India because New Delhi’s re-emergence compliments rather than challenges the current strategic, normative and social order in the region.
‘Bollywood movies and Tandoori might be popular the world over, but it is India’s robust democracy and attractive values, that give it truly great ‘soft’ power potential,’ says Dr Lee.
However, this ‘soft’ power potential is not fully realised and India must do more to win over its sceptics and position itself to be a future leader in its region.
‘New Delhi must begin to capitalise on India’s popularity by further embracing the use of cultural diplomacy.’
However, in order for cultural diplomacy to be an effective tool it must also be backed up by credible ‘hard’ power credentials and capabilities.
‘The region likes India. But India has a perception problem. Despite impressive economic growth, regional elites are not yet convinced that India will eventually re-emerge as a great power.’
But if India is able to silence the critics of its ‘hard power’ resources, its ‘soft’ power potential will be able to be fully realised and a rising India, which already reflects the values and policies of the region, will begin to look like a very attractive prospect to the rest of the region.
‘India has a long way to go and it may yet go backwards. But with the right mix of cultural diplomacy, social progress and economic reform India is well positioned to be a principal leader, and shaper, of the Asian Century.’
Dr John Lee is a Foreign Policy Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies. He is available for comment.
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