Context: 

Recently, India hosted a two day global Buddhist summit in New Delhi which was organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation. 

• The summit was a significant opportunity for India to project and connect with the Buddhist population around the world, thereby strengthening the country’s soft power.

Image Source: The Hindu

What is Soft Power?

• Soft Power is a country’s ability to influence the various players while conducting international relations through attraction or persuasion in a non-coercive manner. 
• It involves the use of a nation’s cultural, historical and diplomatic influence.

India’s efforts in projecting Buddhism as a soft power tool:

• Tourism Promotion: The Indian government has been actively investing in its Buddhist diplomacy efforts, with a focus on promoting tourism through the development of the “Buddhist tourist circuit”. 
• Foreign visits of PM: The Indian PM has made it a point to visit Buddhist sites during his Southeast and East Asian visits.
• Peace Promotion: Against the backdrop of the Russia-­Ukraine crisis, the PM has said, “India has not given ‘Yuddha’ to the world but ‘Buddha’.
• Organising Buddhist Summit: Through this, the government hopes to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture and heritage, as well as strengthening ties with the global Buddhist community.

Link between Buddhism and India’s role in the world:

• Through such efforts, India hopes to reinforce its image as a responsible global power committed to peaceful cooperation and regional stability.
• By laying an emphasis on cultural and civilisational ties, India seeks to promote greater understanding and cooperation between nations and to demonstrate the unique role it can play in shaping the region’s future.

Lacunae in India’s efforts:

• India is facing an intense competition from China to dominate the Buddhist heritage as a tool for soft power. 
  • China’s attempt to exert control over the appointment of the next Dalai Lama would be a blow to India’s efforts to project its soft power through Buddhism.
• China, with its influence over Hollywood, has completely dominated the narrative around Buddhism through cinema. 
  • In contrast, India is behind in this domain; there have not been any efforts made through cinema.
• Despite being home to a number of key Buddhist sites, such as Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, India has struggled to attract Buddhist tourists, who tend to favour sites in Thailand and Cambodia.

Way Forward 

• Promoting Buddhism to strengthen Buddhist diplomacy: To further strengthen its Buddhist diplomacy, India should continue promoting Buddhism at the highest levels of government, while also organising cultural events to showcase the country’s rich Buddhist history. 
• Role of ICAR: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) could play a significant role in promoting such events within and outside India. 
• Strengthen ties with key Buddhist institutions: India should work to strengthen its ties with key Buddhist institutions and leaders around the world.
• Utillizing bollywood to Promote Buddhist heritage: India also needs to utilise the reach of Bollywood in promoting its Buddhist heritage.
• Promoting Buddhist diplomacy through India’s G-20 presidency: India’s G­20 presidency this year could be used to promote Buddhist diplomacy on a bigger scale through various cultural meetings, especially as Buddhist teachings align with the motto of India’s G­20 presidency, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.

News Source: The Hindu