| Issue - 2024 | Page No - 39 |
| CULTURAL TOURISM AS A TOOL OF SOFT POWER: A STUDY OF INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH SOUTHEAST ASIA SINCE 2014 | |
| Harsh Aaryan | |
| Abstract : | |
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Since the end of the Cold War, the influence of soft power in determining
political dynamics in international relations has increased significantly. The
same can be seen in regional power politics, and Southeast Asia is not
different. With the formation of ASEAN, competition between major powers to
influence the region has increased manifold. India, which has had long
historical-cultural relations with Southeast Asia since ancient times, has also
tried to build stronger diplomatic ties after the Cold War. Along with other
strategies like financial and infrastructural support, cultural cooperation,
particularly cultural tourism, has been used as a tool to increase its regional
influence. The paper focuses on India’s initiatives of cultural tourism and its
role in establishing soft power in the Southeast Asian region. Historical
cultural ties and growing connectivity provide ample scope for strengthening
diplomatic relations with Southeast Asian nations. The paper considers
various elements related to cultural tourism and the steps taken by the Indian
government since 2014. With the replacement of the Look East Policy (LEP)
with the Act East Policy (AEP) in 2014, a major focus has been kept on
establishing cultural cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. The paper
builds on the above propositions, primarily focusing on cultural tourism and
soft power diplomacy. Read Pdf |
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