Abstract
India seems to qualify as a soft power by default with her democratic tradition, Mahatma Gandhi with his concept of non-violence and peaceful conflict mediation as national hero and Bollywood as a quasiglobal dream fabric. The high economic growth rates since the liberalisation in 1991 have increased India’s international attractiveness. India uses her soft power capacities mainly for image building rather than as an instrument to exert influence. India can therefore be qualified as a defensive soft power that puts a stronger emphasis on its capacities rather than the capabilities. In contrast to the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and China, Indian foreign policy makers do not perceive their own political model as an attraction for others. It is regarded as an asset that is promoted to increase India’s attractiveness for foreign investors. Using the soft power capacities as a strategy would also require a domestic debate how to strike a balance between national interests, on the one hand, and political norms and values, on the other hand.
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