Titolo completo

Joseph Nye’s Soft Power Theory and the Dynamics of China-India Soft Power Competition in South Asia: A Comparative Analysis

A comparative analysis of the soft power competition between the two Asian great powers – the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and India – and their strategies to influence and counter-influence the smaller South Asian states allows for an explanation of the evolving, defined or undefined, soft power alignment patterns in the region. It enhances our understanding of the traditional PRC-India geopolitical rivalry in South Asia by (i) adding a critical soft power dimension to the broader discourse on South Asian regional power dynamics; and (ii) by presenting a modified version of Joseph Nye’s original soft power theory that is better suited to the complex geopolitical context of South Asia. The analysis is based on a select number of soft power tools: aid and vaccine diplomacy, development assistance, educational scholarships and cultural engagements. It also highlights the similarities, differences and implications of PRC-India soft power competition at the South Asian regional level. Overall, soft power competition has intensified with the PRC enjoying a competitive edge in most areas.
Keywords: soft power theory; South Asia; China-India competition; smaller South Asian states; regional implications