Soft power is the ability of the country to get what it wants through attraction rather than coercion. What are the elements of India's soft power? How far has India been able to leverage its soft power?

Despite so much talked about 'Soft Power', India does not even feature in the top 30 of the Soft Power Index. In light of this, MEA devised the conception of a 'Soft Power Matrix' to better study its impacts. ELEMENTS OF INDIA'S SOFT POWER: 1. AHMSA (India's message of non-violence to the world) 2. BOLLYWOOD (Influences pop culture) - eg. PPK, Slumdog Millionaire 3. CUISINE (eg. Chicken Tikka Masala)

4. DIASPORA (PM Modi called Indian Diaspora as 'a million diplomats') 5. CULTURE (eg. Temples flock to Temple in Tamil Nadu) 6. BUDDHISM (especially in East Asia - India seen as the Land of Buddha) 7. YOGA (International Yoga Day) 8. CRICKET (especially in Commonwealth countries) 9. HISTORICAL TIES 10. INDIA AS FORCE FOR GOOD (eg. setting up of International Solar Alliance & Investments in Afghanistan)

ASSESSMENT OF INDIA'S SOFT POWER: Worked: • India's goodwill in Afghanistan, recently in Sri Lanka (concession made) • June 21 as Yoga Day (adopted by UN) • Hindu Temple (1st in UAE) • Civil Nuclear Deal with USA (NSGT Waiver) Did not work: • Indo-China relations • Indo-Pak relations • relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - soured due to increasing Chinese influence despite Indian concerns • UNSC permanent seat, UNSC membership Despite some successes, much needs to be achieved in foreign policy. A right balance of Soft & Hard Power might be the way to move forward.