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Tuesday, March 10, 2026
TopicSoft power

Topic: soft power

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'.

Until 2016, India was on course to break into soft power group of 30 nations. Then it fell

It is systemic issues like corruption, poverty, inequality, gender inequality, and pollution that weigh on global perceptions of India.

Attempts at remaking India are eroding its soft power globally

India's soft power globally is being undermined by the fact by the impression that it is being governed by obscurantist and intolerant forces. 

On Camera

The oil pipelines that could decide the Iran war

Washington: Iran’s strategy in its war with the US and Israel is by now clear: Impose an intolerable economic cost on President Donald Trump,...

Russian crude never left India’s import mix. It made up 1/3rd of oil imports from 2024 to 2026

After dominating India’s crude imports since 2023, Russian supplies slowed amid US sanctions, but a 30-day ‘waiver’ amid West Asia tensions could now push flows back towards 2 mbpd.

India and Indonesia finalise BrahMos deal, contract to be signed early next fiscal

One battery of the BrahMos missile is to be procured in the initial phase. The plan is to scale up the procurement in phases.

Trump brings the Age of Humiliation for friends. Modi needs stoicism abroad, humility at home

Trump has ushered in the age of humiliation. His method is to push around America’s friends rudely and publicly. He knows none of them can afford to fight back.