India’s soft power in the Indo-Pacific post-Covid

This thesis assesses the soft power of India in the Indo-Pacific regional order after the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing significant contemporaneous events and policy changes. India is an intriguing prospect in the Indo-Pacific soft power rivalry as it enjoys its abundance in all three types of soft power sources,: its cultural values, its political ideals and its foreign policy. When the pandemic striked the world, India’s role as a pivotal player in the region increased along with the region’s geopolitical complexities. Qualitative data was collected by interview and from secondary sources about Vaccine Diplomacy and foreign assistance under the Neighbourhood First policy, and rise in Hindu Nationalism during Covid-19 and the implications of such in framing the Indian soft power in the Indo-Pacific region. The results imply that Indian soft power has expanded in the Indo-Pacific region due to its vaccine diplomacy and foreign policy initiatives. However, internal challenges, particularly in economics and infrastructure have impeded its full potential. To truly enhance its global influence, India must first solve these domestic obstacles. India should incorporate the element of diversity as a tool to promote its uniqueness. Only by resolving these internal issues can India effectively align its international standing with its aspirations as a regional soft power leader.