Soft Power or Realpolitik

As a passionate follower of India’s foreign policy, I perceive the perennial
conundrum facing us is whether India should wield its ‘soft power’ by
enhancing its reputation as one of stoic economic powerhouse attracting
enormous FDIs or practice Realpolitik to counter a rising China to its east. I
take the liberty here to analyze which side the camel should sit.

The strong and stable economy which has its genesis in the 1992 reforms
juxtaposed with rising tensions on all its borders pushed Realpolitik of Nehru
into the backseat. The globalized and interconnected world economy gave birth
to the term ‘soft power’ as coined by erudite Joseph Nye. India has been an
exceptional example of the term. The nuclear embargo melting away is proof
enough. The emergence of IBSA and BRICS into prominence talks volumes of
soft power centers in today’s geopolitics.

But is it serving our purpose? On one hand, by virtue of Indian helping hand in
Afghanistan, we are expected to play a major role in coming times as the
NATO’s ISAF vacates the region. Bangladesh is mellowing down giving India its
due place in regional politics. Increased investment in East Africa is a good
step to find firm feet in emerging African economies. But China’s caveats are
still irking South Block albeit it being the largest trading partner of India.
China’s continued all weather support to Pakistan and infrastructure
development in PoK, especially Gilgistan-Baltistan, doesn’t muster trust and
confidence. India has done well to take a leaf out of the Realpolitik handbook
and poke China by venturing into oil exploration offshore Vietnam in South
China Sea just to initiate a reaction and give them a taste of their own
medicine.

India would do well to combine its two forces and forge Soft power and
Realpolitik into a well balanced yet forceful foreign policy. It would strengthen
its ‘Look East Policy’ and register its might in South and South East Asia.
Strategically expediting to get hold of membership in Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) would give the MEA the impetus to register a strong
presence in Central Asia- where the world would converge for ‘energy
diplomacy’ in foreseeable future.

The upcoming vote on Palestine would be a litmus test for South Block; but
supporting Palestine’s bid would make the announcement that India has an
independent foreign policy. It’s time we were given our due at the world stage
and stopped reeling under the constant extremist attacks. This is an opportune
time to start our campaign for a permanent seat in the Security Council with
élan and it’s time to start looking outwards too because India definitely has
much to offer to the world unequivocally for the benefit of all.