India’s Soft Power – Socio-Cultural Diplomacy

 

India’s Soft Power – Socio-Cultural Diplomacy

India, of late, has acquired its due place and space in the comity of nations with regard to its ‘Soft Power” in the realm of Socio-Cultural contribution towards the new world order. It is a matter of satisfaction for ‘We the people of India’. With a view to promote and propagate ‘Peace and stability’ without resorting to violence, India initiated and declared October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as International Day of Non-violence under the aegis of the UN in 2007-08. Similarly, on the initiative and lead of India, UN declare in 2014,  June 21 as the International Day of Yoga with regard to the humanities need to have a holistic approach to the health not only of body but also of mind and soul. India is one of the largest contributor of man-power and related paraphernalia to the ‘UN Peacekeeping Forces’ throughout. India always remained eager and ready to contribute its might to face the

challenges of natural calamities like earthquake, tsunami etc. particularly in its neighborhood in South Asia and near abroad in the Asian region. Under the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) has done a good job in sharing socio-cultural values and achievements with the world particularly with the developing countries. India, a large country with 1.4 billion people with a chequred civilizational edifice, is the largest democracy in the world. It has much to share and offer the world to establish an ‘Equitable World Order’ as stipulated in the Charter of the UN.

My immediate motivation to write on the subject emanated from the Independence Day Address of PM Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15. PM in addition to many important points specially narrated the roadmap to our destination of Vikshit Bharat by 2047 termed as ‘Sapta Dhara’ – Seven Pillars of the framework for Vikshit Bharat. One of these Sapta Dhara is ‘Soft

Power’ of India and rightly so. I will dwell on this point in this blog. There is no doubt about it that India has an immense ‘Soft Power’ to strengthen its ‘Socio-cultural diplomacy’ for the greater good of the world at large. India has positively contributed to spread the message of peace and non-violence, holistic approach to ensure good health and many more ways as briefly mentioned in the proceeding narration. I wish to underline and flag yet another preposition to strengthen our ‘Socio-cultural diplomacy’ by pursuing the Sapta Dhara of PM Narendra Modi. Kindly bear with me and read the proposal which commensurate with the ‘Seven Pillars’ of the Hon’ble PM to make India - “Vikshist Bharat”. 

My proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN is resting with the GOI (MEA and PMO) since June, 2015. Since then, much water has flown in the Ganges and the Hudson River in New York but nothing much has moved in the corridors of power in New Delhi in spite of the fact that we have been reminding the GOI (EAM and PM) and also other Ministers in addition to the top hierarchy of RSS and BJP regularly and religiously. Though the ruling elite do not

escape any opportunity to remember Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times, yet it is difficult to understand the silence and blissful ignorance of the GOI, BJP, RSS and other decision makers to consider and accept the proposal on the International Day of Equality. Can anyone in the GOI and RSS/BJP say that the proposal does not conform to the declared goals of Indian Establishment and that of the UN with regard to ‘Equality and the Equitable World Order’? I think the answer is ‘No’. The proposal exactly fits into the professed agenda of India and the world body, UN. It is a matter of satisfaction for me to note that the proposal has been taken seriously by the international community, courtesy the role played by the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar abroad; my interlocutors. Several States and Cities in Canada, USA, UK and other democratic countries have declared April 14 as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Day of Equality locally. GOI is fully aware of these developments. My last blog on the subject will give some more information on the subject which may be accessed at:- https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/04/international-day-of-equality-engaging.html

I conclude this with the hope that the Sapta Dhara – Seven Pillars of PM Narendra Modi, as pronounced from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15 would pave the way to clear the proposal on International Day of Equality and GOI makes a diplomatic demarche

to the UN accordingly. It is almost a month to go when PM/EAM would address the UNGA, as usual, in September, 2026. They may consider and include the subject in their address at the UNGA not only to recognize and honour Babasaheb Ambedkar, icon of India and the world at large, for the lofty ideals of equality and fraternity but also to carry forward its ‘Soft Power’ through ‘Socio-cultural diplomacy.

IK Tarze Tugafil Hai; So Weh Unko Mubarak,

Ik ArzeTammana Hai; Who Hum Karte Rahenge