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Tuesday, March 31, 2026
TopicSoft power

Topic: soft power

India’s cultural narrative abroad is overwhelming

Rather than presenting the full spectrum of Indian culture at once, a more strategic approach would be to identify one globally intelligible cultural lane & invest in it consistently.

Trump’s hard-power world has exposed India’s economic dependencies

Donald Trump has changed the rules of the global game. A previously confidently rising India finds itself in a spot.

Sholay conquered Iran, China, Russia. At 50, restored classic is visiting Italy and Canada

Sholay made its European debut to cheers at a screening in Bologna, Italy, and is slated for its North American premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

RSS, power politics, and the Deep State—transparency is the only antidote

When any political executive has to choose between loyalty and competence, the former takes priority. And I say this with authority, having worked with multiple parties and governments.

Japan to Russia, why Fadnavis is wooing Marathi diaspora — long-term goals, short-term power tussle

Fadnavis has intensified his focus on the Marathi diaspora since he took charge as Deputy CM in the Eknath Shinde-led govt, as evidenced in his 3 foreign trips over the past year.

Talk of yoga & diaspora is fine, but hard power is where Indo-US relationship really shines

Because of its growing military and economic clout, India can afford to be assertive in its foreign policy, ignore the West when buying Russian oil & gain entry to key international clubs.

G20 kickstarts ‘subnational diplomacy’ in India. Smaller cities contributing to global conversations

By organising events and activities alongside meetings, India is involving local communities, civil society organisations, and youth groups. The regional approach to hosting G20 meetings allows India to showcase its soft power.

China trying to build soft power, but its voice outside is brittle and wooden

In ‘The Ultimate Goal’, former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood writes on how Chinese leaders presume the main method of exercising soft power is through state institutions.

Indian food fourth most popular in the world, a study of cuisine trade finds

With Italian, Japanese & Chinese food occupying top 3 spots, cuisine emerges as weakest link in Anglo-American cultural hegemony, says study by US economist.

Prasar Bharati wants to switch off AIR short-wave service, India’s voice around the world

Prasar Bharati's decision might hurt India's reach, but public broadcaster justifies move, saying 'short-wave transmissions hardly have any impact anymore on global opinion-making'.

On Camera

Why shielding consumers from rising fuel prices can backfire

IOC, BPCL, and HPCL have lost about Rs 20,000 crore due to the fuel price freeze. These losses will accumulate on balance sheets, raise borrowing costs, and circle back to the govt as contingent liabilities.

Foreign investors dump record $12 bn India stocks in March on war

Soaring energy costs have hurt oil-importing Asian peers, but the scale of outflows from India points to already bearish global sentiment.

India developing lethal autonomous weapon systems, database of citizens’ crime risk—House Panel report

Report on impact of AI emergence—drawing upon depositions from several ministries—confirms that the developments come in the absence of AI laws or considerations over them.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.