Dissecting India’s Evolving Role in Soft Power Through Cultural Diplomacy: From the Prism of Group of Twenty (G20)

By : Divya Rani , Rippy Das

Page No: 403-422

Abstract
The field of cultural diplomacy, which is prominent in contemporary cultural policy and debate, has received scant attention from the cultural disciplines. In recent years, there has been growing emphasis on soft power, particularly cultural diplomacy, and its application to international policy. For thousands of years, India has exerted enormous cultural and civilisational influence on the rest of world. Despite India’s historic cultural influence, recent leader emphasis diaspora, cosmopolitan values, and traditions like Yoga through official campaigns. This study outlines the terms under which it has undertaken these involvements. The study aims to distinguish between official cultural diplomacy motivated by interests and ideal driven cultural relations, which are primarily carried out by non-State actors. Secondly, to investigate the notion of ‘Soft Power’ and acquire a deeper comprehensive of the way current discourses on cultural diplomacy and cultural relations operate within the contexts of India. The G20 is a crucial forum for advancing international economic cooperation and tackling global economic difficulties. The G20 is an organisation founded on the idea of worldwide governance and the requirement for cooperation among States to handle global challenges. India’s G20 presidency in 2023, was a crucial forum for global economic cooperation, presented an opportunity to enhance its global profile. This study examines India’s current cultural diplomacy, assessing its potential impact beyond national interest, especially within G20 perspective.
 

Authors:
Divya Rani: Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (UP).
Rippy Das: Doctoral Candidate, Department of Political Science, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi (UP).