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Saturday, October 25, 2025
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

Piyush Pandey brought the language of small towns into ad agency corridors: Prasoon Joshi

Piyush was about celebration—of life, of people, of stories. He believed that what we create can shape popular culture, can make people feel proud of who they are.

US sanctions Rosneft & Lukoil: What we know of 2 oil giants that produce half of Russia’s crude

Rosneft, the Russian state-owned oil behemoth, has large interests in India. Reliance has a contract to purchase 500,000 barrels of crude per day from the firm.

From battle of wits and daring air strikes to artillery fury, new details emerge of Operation Sindoor

Fresh details of operation conducted by IAF, Army have come out in gazette notification giving citations of those who were awarded Vir Chakra for their bravery.

CJI, IPS, IAS & Homebound: A wake-up call 75 years in the making

Education, reservations, govt jobs are meant to bring equality and dignity. That we are a long way from that is evident in the shoe thrown at the CJI and the suicide of Haryana IPS officer. The film Homebound has a lesson too.