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Playing Cricket: India’s Soft Power, Nation Branding and Future Prospects

Author

Listed:
  • Suman Kumar Das
  • Akhil Chandra Borah
  • Shovit Mallick

Abstract

The growing interdependence among nations, the advancement of science and technology and the impact of globalisation have made it less useful for nations to rely predominantly on hard power to pursue their foreign policies’ goals. In the contemporary era, nations have shifted their attention to soft power as an alternative policy to maximise gains from other countries. Although the exercise of hard power is still relevant in international relations, soft power has become a less destructive option. For instance, sports has proved its power as a tool of diplomacy at different times. In India, cricket has moved from its status as a mere sport to a powerful instrument of diplomacy. In this article, the authors analyse the value of sports in general and cricket in particular as an instrument of public diplomacy, its capacity for nation branding, and the future prospects of cricket in pursuing India’s foreign policy goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Suman Kumar Das & Akhil Chandra Borah & Shovit Mallick, 2024. "Playing Cricket: India’s Soft Power, Nation Branding and Future Prospects," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 80(2), pages 269-282, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:indqtr:v:80:y:2024:i:2:p:269-282
    DOI: 10.1177/09749284241241600
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nye, Joseph S., 2008. "Public Diplomacy and Soft Power," Scholarly Articles 11738397, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    2. Joseph S. Nye Jr., 2008. "Public Diplomacy and Soft Power," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 616(1), pages 94-109, March.
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