Faculty Perspective
Role of Culture and Diplomacy in Building International Relations
Soft power rooted in culture does not coerce; it invites. And that invitation can reshape the world.
In the high-stakes world of international relations, we often picture stern-faced diplomats in conference halls, navigating treaties and sanctions. We think of military power and economic leverage—the “hard power” that visibly shapes global events. But what if the most enduring influence comes not from a battleship or a trade deal, but from a film, a yoga mat, or a shared meal? This is the realm of cultural diplomacy, an unseen handshake that builds bridges where politics often builds walls.
Cultural diplomacy is the art of using a nation’s unique identity—its language, art, heritage, education, sports, and cuisine—to foster mutual understanding and strengthen foreign relations. It is the quintessential tool of soft power, influencing others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion. As one astute observation puts it, “Culture speaks when politics falls silent.” It is the common ground upon which lasting relationships are built.
Why Culture is a Nation’s Most Persuasive Diplomat
The power of cultural diplomacy lies in its ability to connect with people on a human level, bypassing the formal, and often fraught, channels of government-to-government interaction.
- Building Trust and Reducing Stereotypes: People may fear armies, but they admire culture. When a country shares its art, music, or philosophy, it reveals its soul. This fosters empathy and dismantles harmful stereotypes that fuel mistrust. The global embrace of India’s yoga diplomacy or the phenomenal rise of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) are perfect examples. These cultural exports have won millions of hearts, creating a reservoir of goodwill that political disagreements can’t easily drain.
- Shaping Perceptions from the Ground Up: Long before a political headline is read, a nation’s reputation is often shaped by its cultural exports. As the saying goes, “A nation’s culture is its most persuasive diplomat—unarmed, unthreatening, yet deeply influential.” During the Cold War, the soulful, improvisational notes of American jazz, broadcast across the Iron Curtain, became a powerful symbol of freedom and individuality—a message more resonant than any political speech.
- Paving the Way When Doors Are Closed: When diplomatic ties are strained or severed, culture can keep the conversation going. It serves as a vital backchannel, reminding adversaries of their shared humanity. The classic example is the “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” of the 1970s. A simple table tennis tournament between American and Chinese players thawed decades of icy relations, creating the opening for President Nixon’s historic visit to China. It proves that “soft power rooted in culture does not coerce; it invites. And that invitation can reshape the world.”
- Fueling Economic and Strategic Partnerships: Cultural familiarity is a powerful economic driver. It boosts tourism, encourages educational exchanges, and paves the way for trade and investment. When a country’s culture is appreciated, its products, services, and people are welcomed. India’s ICCR scholarships, which bring foreign students to study in India, and the immense popularity of Bollywood in Africa and Central Asia, create a network of friends and allies that directly aids India’s diplomatic and economic goals.
The Ethical Tightrope: Navigating the Dilemmas of Cultural Diplomacy
While its potential is immense, wielding culture as a diplomatic tool is fraught with ethical complexities. It forces nations to walk a fine line between genuine engagement and moral compromise.
- Soft Engagement vs. Hard Responses: In a world of conflict, should cultural ties continue with nations engaged in aggression or human rights violations? Continuing exchanges with countries involved in present-day conflicts, like those between China and India or during the Ukraine war, can be seen as condoning their actions. When is it right to keep the cultural door open, and when does it become complicity?
- The Hypocrisy of Selective Engagement: Nations often apply different standards to different partners. A country might sever cultural ties with one adversary over human rights issues while maintaining robust cultural and economic relationships with another, like the West’s engagement with some Gulf nations. This selective approach raises questions of hypocrisy versus realpolitik, undermining the moral authority of cultural diplomacy.
- Propaganda and ‘Artwashing’: Authoritarian states have become adept at using cultural platforms to “whitewash” their global image. They may host glamorous film festivals or fund language institutes (like China’s Confucius Institutes) to project an image of openness and sophistication, distracting from domestic repression. This raises a difficult question for liberal democracies: should they engage with state-sponsored propaganda in the name of cultural exchange?
- The Impact on Diaspora Communities: When geopolitical tensions rise, culture is often the first casualty. Aggressive rhetoric and cultural bans can stigmatize diaspora communities, who become targets of misplaced anger and hate crimes. The rise in anti-Asian sentiment during US-China tensions or the stereotyping of people of Middle Eastern descent after terrorist attacks shows how state-level disputes have a profound and painful human cost.
- The Artist’s Burden: Should artists, academics, and performers represent a country whose policies they vehemently oppose? This dilemma has been starkly highlighted with Russian artists in Europe post-2022 and Israeli academics during the Gaza conflict. They are often caught between personal conviction and national identity, forced to either defend or disavow their government on a global stage.
Navigating these dilemmas requires a principled approach: supporting independent artists over state-sponsored figures, using cultural platforms for genuine and critical dialogue, and avoiding blanket bans that punish an entire populace for the actions of its government.
Case Study: India’s Civilizational Diplomacy in Action
One nation that uniquely embodies both the potential and the challenge of cultural diplomacy is India. Its approach is not just about exporting culture; it’s about inviting the world into a civilizational conversation, rooted in the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – The world is one family.
India’s strength lies in its profound civilizational depth. As the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, it offers a spiritual and philosophical heritage that resonates globally. Its mosaic of languages, festivals, music, and cuisine makes it a living laboratory of diversity. This inherent plurality is its greatest diplomatic asset.
India has masterfully integrated this into its foreign policy:
- Global Initiatives: The establishment of the International Day of Yoga, now celebrated in over 190 countries, is a triumph of soft power.
- Regional Connectivity: Its Buddhist diplomacy strengthens ties with Southeast and East Asian nations, while events like ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ connect its 35-million-strong diaspora, who act as powerful cultural ambassadors.
- Showcasing on the World Stage: India’s G20 presidency in 2023 was a masterclass in cultural showcasing, integrating its philosophy, crafts, and music into the fabric of the summit.
From the global popularity of Bollywood and its cuisine to the promotion of Ayurveda and classical arts through ICCR cultural centres, India’s diplomacy is infused with a cultural richness that is both authentic and appealing.
Conclusion: The Soul of Diplomacy
In an increasingly transactional and fractured world, the strength of international relations cannot be measured by military alliances or trade agreements alone. It is nurtured in the quiet understanding that grows from cultural exchange.
As we’ve seen, this path is not simple. It demands ethical clarity and a commitment to genuine connection over manipulation. Yet, India’s model—promoting culture with respect for dialogue and plurality—offers a compelling vision for the 21st century. It reminds us that culture is the soul of diplomacy—subtle, persistent, and powerful enough to heal what negotiations alone cannot.
