15 February 2023, NIICE Commentary 8543
Alok Shubham
Soft power has emerged as a dominant factor in this modern globalized era. It refers to the political power or ability to shape the preferences that come without any coercive measures or military tools but rather through elements such as diplomacy, culture, shared history, mutual religious ethos, sports, entertainment, etc. as put forth by Joseph Nye. Both India and China have been exercising their soft power approach towards all other south Asian countries specifically, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Historically, India has been more connected to these three countries culturally, geographically, and religiously from ancient times and that marks an indomitable edge but superseding these ancient linkages, the space that China has created over the last three decades is commendable. The space for soft power is crucial in the region since the South Asian Region is heavily interdependent and densely populated which makes it tough for hard power.
Soft Power Conundrum
The comparative study of the soft power of India and China is very obvious and feasible since these are the only two major power centres around which other peripheral South Asian states are revolving. Explicitly observing China’s soft power revolves mostly around the economic might that it offers to other smaller players in the region and subsequently Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have tried to leverage it against India. China has given huge loans with heavy interest rates to nations that can be analyzed through the case of Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, which went to the Chinese for a lease of 99 years. Moreover, the consequent economic crisis and depleted foreign reserves fuelled the debate over excessive debt-ridden investments in smaller nations. Bangladesh and Nepal took the initiative to cut their extra expenses over not-so-urgent projects to control inflation and gross deficit. Despite the pushback to the Chinese soft-power approach due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and criticism over its approach of excessive debt to the smaller economies that actually created a debt trap for them through over-dependence on China. On the other side of the story, China wants to revive the ancient glory of the Silk route in the form of the modern Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and both Bangladesh and Nepal had already joined this initiative. China aims be heavily invest in these two nations for the infrastructural projects and linking their major cities through rail, road and ports. China has tactically used the grounds in these three nations to cater anti-Indian sentiments in popular discourse, especially in Nepal after the long blockade by the Madhesi protest and these nations had to adopt a balance behind the two large players in the region. Also, China’s soft power expands to the sports, and entertainment industry as post-1990s, China has hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, significantly projecting itself as a forerunner in terms of the sports and entertainment sector. Similarly, China is expanding its outreach through Scholarship programs for students and graduates from these nations and consolidating its position.
Proceeding to the other major player in the region and the age-old soft power touch in its civilizational ethos still reflects from its soil. Indian foreign policy has time and again reiterated its policy of “Neighbourhood First” and the idea of Vasudhaiva-kutumbakam (World as a family). India has been always a close partner of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Indian soft power has evidently expanded its reach in the last three decades after LPG reforms that actually made India a hub of service providers, especially in the IT industry. Indian sports diplomacy through cricket and entertainment outreach is phenomenal in these three countries and it creates a framework of people-to-people bonding. Citizens too are ambassadors of soft power projection and Roti-Beti relation with the Nepalis, Tamilians, and Lankans’ age-old bondage; West and East Bengal linkages are something that cannot be erased or ignored. India’s vaccine diplomacy through Vaccine Maitri Programme is a clear indication of its support for these nations. India has supported Sri Lanka with both monetary assistance and basic survival amenities in the time of crisis. Moreover, India’s assistance to Nepal and Bangladesh during natural disasters and a close and coordinative approach is indispensable for the region. India is investing in several projects in these three nations at reasonable terms such as roads in the terai region, cross-border petroleum pipelines, hydropower dams, and power projects, etc. India received severe criticism due to the regular deadlines extensions of India funded projects. India’s soft power image has also got setbacks in several crises such as the LTTE insurgency in Sri Lanka, Nepal’s blockade, and others. India is the third largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity which also creates a huge opportunity for these three nations. India is gearing up its defence exports which can also provide a new viable option to these smaller nations and is also offering scholarships for international students with special quotas for from the South Asian region. India has always been a spiritual and religious land that is connecting dot between these nations which eventually promotes tourism and exchanges.
Conclusion
Both nations are tactically using their soft power diplomacy to align their interests with them. Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka have to move on a tightrope, balancing both the partners but in international relations at the end of the day, one will align based on their national interests. The availability of these two players offer a good deal for them but they should maintain an equidistance and focus should be on their long-term implicative policies. India objects to the Chinese policy of a String of Pearls where China is trying to use Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for its own vested interests in exchange for some economic. The Chinese economy is much bigger than the Indian and India can offer as a trustworthy partner, as a more collaborative approach in all developmental projects, capital investment at low-interest rates, and thriving and consultative diplomacy at all levels for serious problems such as border disputes and infiltration too. Dialogue and diplomacy can never have any alternative and soft power will prevail in the long run in the international discourse.
Alok Shubham is a Research Intern at NIICE.
