Russia and India: Developing Soft Power

Tatiana Bokova, Intern of the Russian National Committee on BRICS Research – special for InfoBRICS

Soft power is a significant aspect of foreign policy for any country. American political scientist Joseph Nye originally proposed the concept of “Soft power” in the early 1990s. Nye defined soft power as a form of political power that is based on “intangible” factors: cultural traits, value systems, voluntary participation, sympathy, etc. Soft power actually refers to cultural power besides economic, military and political forces, and is also an important manifestation of a country’s comprehensive national strength. “The core and supreme level of the country’s comprehensive strength is the cultural soft power, which is linked to the cohesion of the national spirit,” the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.

Russia has been utilizing soft power in India since the 1950s to develop a robust relationship with the South Asian country. Over the years, Russia has built a significant cultural, educational, and economic relationship with India, which has helped in maintaining a stable strategic partnership between the two countries.

Cultural and educational diplomacy are key components of Russia's soft power in India. The Russian government has been actively promoting Russian culture and language in India through various initiatives. One of the most successful initiatives is the Russian Center of Science and Culture (RCSC) in New Delhi. The center organizes a wide range of cultural events, including film festivals, art exhibitions, and musical concerts. These events provide Indian audiences with a glimpse into Russian culture and help to promote mutual understanding between the two countries. According to a survey conducted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Russian cultural events are among the most popular among the Indian audience. In 2018, the RCSC in Delhi organized over 80 cultural events, which were attended by more than 25,000 people. The RCSC has also been working with Indian cultural organizations to promote cultural exchange between the two countries.

In addition, the Russian government provides scholarships to Indian students to study in Russia. These scholarships cover a wide range of subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and medicine. The number of Indian students studying in Russia has been steadily increasing over the years, with around 30,000 Indian students currently studying in Russian universities. The number of Indian students studying in Russia has increased by 44% in the last five years. This has helped to promote people-to-people exchange between the two countries and has contributed to the strengthening of their strategic partnership.

Furthermore, the Russian government has been working closely with Indian universities to promote academic cooperation between the two countries. Several Russian universities have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Indian universities to promote collaboration in research and education. This has resulted in the exchange of students, faculty, and research scholars between the two countries. The cooperation between the two countries in the field of education has led to the establishment of joint research centers, the development of joint degree programs, and the organization of joint conferences and workshops.

Russia has also been actively promoting the teaching of the Russian language in India. The Pushkin Institute, for instance, a leading institution for teaching Russian language and culture, has opened centers in several Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. These centers provide Indian students with an opportunity to learn the Russian language and culture and enhance their understanding of Russia. The cooperation between Indian and Russian universities has also resulted in the establishment of several academic chairs and centers for Russian studies in Indian universities. The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and the St. Petersburg State University have established branches in India to promote academic exchange.

These centers offer courses in Russian language, literature, culture, and history. This has helped to increase awareness and understanding of Russian culture and has contributed to the development of a new generation of scholars who are well-versed in Russian studies. In addition, the Department of Science and Technology of India and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation have signed a bilateral agreement to promote cooperation in science and technology. The agreement provides for joint research and development programs, the exchange of scientists and researchers, and the organization of joint scientific conferences and workshops.

Consequently, the promotion of cultural and educational diplomacy contributes to deepening the cultural and academic ties between India and Russia. And it also an important aspect of Russia's soft power in India, and its continued promotion will help to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two states.

Russia's soft power in India presents several opportunities for the promotion of its national interests and the enhancement of its strategic partnership with India. First, Russia's soft power measures in India can help to promote its economic interests. Russia is keen to promote its economic ties with India, and its soft power initiatives can help to create a positive image of Russia among Indian businesses and investors. Second, Russia's soft power initiatives in India can help to promote its strategic interests in the region. India is an important player in the Indo-Pacific region, and Russia's soft power measures can help to enhance its influence in the region. This can also help to balance the growing influence of China in the region and can help to promote stability and security in the region. Moreover, Russia's soft power measures in India can help to promote its image as a reliable and trustworthy partner. This can be especially important in times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Russia's provision of the Sputnik V vaccine to India has been well received and has helped to strengthen its image as a reliable partner in times of crisis.

Despite the success of Russia's soft power measures in India, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of people-to-people contact between the two countries. Although there has been an increase in the number of Indian students studying in Russia, the number is still relatively small compared to other countries. There is also a need to promote more cultural exchange between the two countries to enhance mutual understanding. Another challenge is the growing influence of China in India. China has been actively promoting its soft power in India through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This has led to some concerns in India about the growing Chinese influence in the region. Russia needs to work closely with India to address these concerns and promote its soft power in the region.

Looking ahead, Russia's soft power prospects in India appear promising. India and Russia have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership and explore new areas of cooperation, including in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. This presents an opportunity for Russia to promote its soft power in these areas and enhance people-to-people contact between the two countries. In addition, Russia's successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced its image as a reliable partner in times of crisis. Russia's provision of the Sputnik V vaccine to India has been well received and has helped to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

In conclusion, Russia's soft power measures in India have been successful in promoting its image and enhancing its strategic partnership with India. Russia's cultural diplomacy has been particularly successful in promoting Russian culture in India. The growing number of Indian students studying in Russia and the increasing trade and investment between the two countries are an indication of the success of Russia's soft power measures. With the prospects for further cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, Russia has an opportunity to enhance its soft power in India and consolidate its position as a key partner in the region.

Source: InfoBrics