The modern political landscapes emerge to bring in new pathways of communication and transaction. The concept of ‘Soft Power’ and India’s influence on the African continent has had many shifts and turns but with historically significant ties in diaspora contributions, migration, trade and commerce and cultural interchange. Africa has become a prominent site of activity for India’s cultural and symbolic presence. This presentation will try to answer whether the cultural route of soft power has cemented India’s reputation as a bankable and culturally viable diplomatic partner for the continent. It will also take a look at how soft power itself has become an effective module of diplomatic engagement specifically in the context of India-Africa relations and how India has utilized soft power instrumentally in its foreign policy in the era of globalization.

Speaker: Sumona Bose, M Phil Candidate in Justice and Transformation, University of Cape Town, IAPSS Africa & MENA Student Research Committee Member.

The International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS) is a democratic student government representing political science students around the world.

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