Indians were predicted to rise to prominence in the twenty-first century. The expansion of India's economic and military infrastructure since 1991 was reflected in the country's century-old claims. When India completed the world's largest civil evacuation during Operation Rahat in 2004, it marked a significant improvement in the country's soft power capabilities. Implementing India's soft power strategy across the region, on the other hand, is a difficult task. Developing a digital & public diplomacy infrastructure can assist India in overcoming its soft power limitations. Disputes over Indian leadership in South Asia threaten peace, security, and integration. With hard power failing, India has turned to soft power to assert itself. In order to attract new neighbours, it is now trying to rebuild a positive image in the area. Current economic reform efforts in India and the effectiveness of soft power in this location are summarised in this essay. Despite its flaws, this method holds a lot of promise. As a result, the relationship between the South and the North may be altered.

Soft power in India, Foreign policy of India, India’s rise, Smart power

Soft power is critical in today's global politics, regarding its practical and theoretical constraints. In terms of alternative political, economic, as well as cultural models for the rest of the world, only India is capable. Soft power is a relatively new phenomenon in India, and it has only recently started to be implemented. Internal reforms are required to address India's developmental, sociological, and political shortcomings. In South Asia, soft power is undeniable. Although further research is needed to fully understand India's soft power in this domain, this study can derive three findings. First, India's regional policy appears to include soft power aspects. Because harsh power is ineffectual and lowering suspicion and strengthening acceptance of its regional leadership role is critical to achieving regional and global goals. To cooperate economically and diplomatically, India may need to ease its smaller neighbours' anxieties. Public diplomacy, Economic cooperation, cultural and development cooperation, and other forms of soft power are prioritised in this approach. India's current South Asian propaganda campaign is a strategic decision. Another sign that this soft power tactic may work is that even though major concerns remain unresolved, the new policy has helped improve relations. As a result of its hegemonic positions in Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, as well as Bangladesh, India has a great benefit in attaining its foreign policy goals. This strategy worked in Afghanistan, where India gained respect for its civilian participation. An aggressive cultural as well as public diplomacy strategy is required in this context. It ought to strengthen people-to-people ties, increase trade and investment, and educate its neighbours about democratic principles. Through the SAARC project, India may also play a larger role in regional collaboration. Surprisingly, societies and ruling elites regard India differently. The public's growing optimism contrasts sharply with the government's scepticism and hostility. India's soft power strategy may help close the gap. Soft power is a long-term strategy with visible benefits. Regional democracy will make it difficult for national leaders to ignore public sentiment and attack India. South Asians' faith in shared stability and peace is increasing as a result of India's soft power. India must persuade a greater number of people in the region that economic progress is a good thing. In addition, Pakistan is not included in India's soft power strategy in South Asia. Delays in addressing Indian-Pakistani tensions jeopardise regional cooperation and South Asian peace and security. Containing Pakistani public scepticism and suspicion of India. Indian cultural institutes, Indian Studies Chairs, ambitious scholarship programmes, new development partnership efforts, visa liberalisation and promotion of academic and corporate links are all needed to directly reach Pakistani citizens. Ineffective and unfair, labelling all Pakistanis as potential terrorists Encouraging Pakistan to see India as a trusted partner and friendly neighbour [2].

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