Education as a soft power tool of foreign policy

Foreign universities are being invited to establish campuses in India, while Indian institutions are encouraged to expand collaborations, faculty exchanges, and research partnerships abroad.

- DR. SARITA JAIN

In the contemporary global age, the concept of soft power, enunciated by Joseph Nye, has become a key aspect of international relations. Soft power indicates the ability of a nation to attract and influence others through persuasion and cultural appeal rather than coercion or economic enticement. Amid the various instruments of soft power—culture, political values, diplomacy—education occupies a central place.

India, a civilizational state renowned for its intellectual and spiritual traditions, has historically leveraged education as a soft power tool, and it is gaining strategic importance in the 21st century.

The educational heritage of India has for centuries been a beacon for scholars across the globe. Ancient universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila attracted learners from far and wide, thereby establishing India's reputation as a hub of knowledge and learning. In modern times, this legacy is reflected in India's expanding higher education landscape and the international recognition of institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These institutions, along with a highly skilled émigré community of scholars, scientists, and technocrats, have strengthened India's image as a global knowledge power.