Certain Dimensions of Soft-power

CERTAIN DIMENSIONS OF SOFT-POWER WHICH CAN BE ENGAGED ARE :

By using Hydro Diplomacy

• Indus water treaty can be used as the tool of hydro diplomacy where India is entitled to unrestrictive use of eastern rivers namely Sutlej, Beas and Ravi and nonconsumptive use (mainly for irrigation, storage and hydroelectricity production) of western rivers namely Jhelum, Chenab and Indus.

• Even without violating the terms of the treaty India can use its rights of non-consumptive use of the water of western river, and can send signals to Pakistan to depart from its coercive measure and shift to peaceful means for bringing more stability in bilateral relations.

• Construction of Water Grid between two nations can also be a viable solution to the water problems of the region.

By using Cultural Diplomacy

• Cultural diplomacy is a course of action based on the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture or identity to strengthen relationships, enhance socio- cultural cooperation to promote the national interest.

• Cultural similarities between both the nations in terms of similar food habits can be translated into deepening diplomatic engagements (like Halwa Puri, Daal Chawal, Chicken Karahi, Biryani and the drink of Lassi are not only famous in Pakistan they are equally liked in India as well. Sweet dishes are common, with Kheer and Mithai being the most famous sweet dishes).

• By organizing events like food fairs, festivals and cooking competitions, between two nations it would be easier to strengthen the bond of love and prosperity between two nations.

• Broad spectrum of cultural diplomacy includes bilateral exchanges of art, music, dance, theatre and artists and even organization of sports events at bilateral level like cricket will definitely ease out the political anxiety and will bring more stability and cooperation in Indo-Pak relations.

• For example, Urdu poetry and ghazals from Pakistan and shows like Coke studio, MTV unplugged has wider range of fan following in both the countries.“Model of drama” for conflict transformation can be applied between India and Pakistan as a part of cultural diplomacy. The main connecting agents according to the model are people and their personal relationship is vital to diffuse confrontations. Therefore, the citizen’s diplomacy or people to people contact between India and Pakistan are significant in building peace between the two nations.

Cricket Diplomacy

Cricket diplomacy implies using Cricket as one of the strategic diplomatic political tools for transcending the ethnic and social divide while dispelling historical stereotypes and age-old prejudices between the two countries by bringing more engagements between the cricket teams, fans and authorities of both the nations.

For instance, in past also, cricket diplomacy has been used for bringing normalcy to India Pakistan relations like in 1999 when Chennai gave a standing ovation to Wasim Akram’s men after they had just beaten India and after six months the two countries met again in a world cup match against the hostile backdrop of the Kargil war.

As a result of Pakistani PM’s visit in 2005 to India for watching a cricket match between India and Pakistan had effectively turned into the summit and the both countries agreed to open up the militarized frontier dividing the disputed Kashmir region.

Expanding IPL to include cities from Pakistan and more teams for states such as J&K could lay a strong foundation for a peaceful relationship between the two nations.

The Asia Cup trophy controversy 2025: The controversy surrounding the Asia Cup trophy began when the Indian cricket team refused to collect the trophy after defeating Pakistan in Dubai in retaliation for the terrorist assault in Pahalgam. Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan's interior minister, offered it to the players, but they refused.

Economic Diplomacy

Economic Interdependence between two nations can be used as one of the dimensions of soft power

Economic interdependence through bilateral trade will help in easing out the cross-border tensions arising out of the unemployment, poverty and low standard of living conditions, as bilateral trade brings more employment opportunities and prosperity in the region.

Trade will help in dismantling the predominance of military institutions and their coercive means to capture the power in Pakistan that are aimed at anti India agenda and are generally responsible for ceasefire violations in India. In turn this can bring focus on democratic institutions which will have peaceful coexistence as their DNA.

India can deepen its economic ties with Pakistan by reducing the import tariffs which is presently 200% and by invoking its Most Favoured Nation status at time when Pakistan’s economy is in its worst phase.

ASEAN region can be used as the example where many territorial disputes have been resolved by increasing the economic interdependence between the nations.

But Soft Power is not the only Solution

Soft power cannot be the only solution for dealing with the bilateral engagements between India and Pakistan as in past few instances of soft power diplomacy has failed to fulfil its intended objectives and it’s the hard policy that has to come in picture like:

Soft power projects such as ‘Destination Pakistan’ that were implemented back in 2007 failed to yield the required results.

National day receptions are one of the best available forums for diplomats to project their country’s clout in a capital as well as present its soft power and renew contacts. Unfortunately, the lack of resources in most Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad has made these celebrations redundant and unfruitful.

Lahore declaration in February 1999 that intends to end the nuclear race between both the nations lost its relevance with the outbreak of Kargil war in May 1999.

Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 stalled the whole process of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan and India also cancelled its cricket team’s tour of Pakistan that was scheduled for January-February 2009.

Efforts under Neighbourhood first policy made by hon’ble PM, like inviting his Pakistani counterpart for swearing in ceremony, unscheduled visit to Lahore, at residence of Pakistani PM, has been diluted with incidence of attack on Indian Air force base in January 2016 (Pathankot attack), that ended with complete suspension of all types of talks and bilateral engagements between the two nations.

After the Uri attacks, our PM made statement that ‘talks and terrorism’ cannot go hand in hand.

Post Pulwama attack (attack on CRPF personnel’s bus in Jammu and Kashmir) on February 14, 2019, the Pakistan government has banned the airing of Indian content on television and also screening of Indian films in cinema halls. On Pakistan governments directives, they also blocked all Indian sports channels in the country.

WAY FORWARD

In order to strengthen the bilateral engagements between India and Pakistan need of the hour is to employ delicate balance of soft and hard power diplomacy.

International Organizations can be used for building pressure over Pakistan for carrying out anti-terrorist activities. Actions like Pakistan’s inclusion on the FATF Grey list makes it harder for its government to access international markets and funding at a time when its economy is in crisis.

UN’s designation of Masood Azhar as Global terrorist will built pressure on Pakistan to freeze his assets and dilute the existence of its Jaish e Mohammed based organization which is responsible for carrying out many attacks on Indian soil.

Initiation of bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan based on the 'UFA' agreement aimed at combating terrorism, freeing fishermen, meeting of military personnel, encouraging religious tourism will bring new dimensions to the diplomatic engagements.

India’s diplomatic outreach with other South Asian countries and Western powers like USA will help India in creating pressure over Pakistan, for curbing its funding to terrorist activities and bringing an end to the influence of non-state actors in its politics, as both countries being nuclear powers cannot afford to take route of militarised way of dispute settlement and war like situation