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India's Soft Power and Military Diplomacy

International Relations

  • PYQs8
  • Articles1
I

Background

Crucial for understanding India's foreign policy, its role as a rising power, and its engagement with the global community. It reflects India's strategic autonomy and its efforts to build a multipolar world order.

India's soft power refers to its ability to attract and co-opt through appeal and attraction, rather than coercion. Military diplomacy is a component of this, involving the use of armed forces and defence relations to achieve foreign policy objectives, build trust, and project a positive image globally.

II

Facts & tables

Definition
Leveraging cultural heritage, values, and military professionalism to foster goodwill and influence international relations.
Objectives
Strengthening bilateral ties, building strategic partnerships, and enhancing India's global standing.
Instruments
Goodwill visits, joint exercises, defence exchanges, and humanitarian assistance.
Impact
Complements traditional diplomacy and contributes to national security and foreign policy goals.
Static syllabus anchors
Type Reference
Conceptual area International Relations
Conceptual area Foreign Policy
Institutions & roles
Body Role
Ministry of External Affairs Formulates foreign policy
Ministry of Defence Executes military diplomacy initiatives
III

Prelims angle

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

  • Soft power: attraction, not coercion.
  • Military diplomacy: defence relations for foreign policy.
  • Expedition as 'floating ambassador'.
  • Showcases culture, professionalism, values.
  • Strengthens goodwill and 'soft power'.
High-confidence PYQ links
Year Framing tags
2026 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
2026 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
2026 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
2024 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2023 Statement-based questions, Factual recall
2022 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2016 Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
2015 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Timeline

  1. International Relations

    Conceptual area

  2. Foreign Policy

    Conceptual area

  3. Prelims 2015

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  4. Prelims 2016

    Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

  5. Prelims 2022

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  6. Prelims 2023

    Statement-based questions, Factual recall

  7. Prelims 2024

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  8. Prelims 2026

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  9. Prelims 2026

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  10. Prelims 2026

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  11. Raksha Mantri flags-in first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition

    The 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition exemplified India's military diplomacy, acting as a 'floating ambassador' to showcase cultural heritage and military professionalism, thereby strengthening the nation's soft power and fostering goodwill with friendly nations.

See also

India's Soft Power and Military Diplomacy
India's Strategic Autonomy

Past papers

In the news

Try these PYQs

UPSC Prelims 2026 hard International Relations Open full page

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?

1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow

Select the answer using the code given below :

UPSC Prelims 2026 hard Science & Technology Open full page

Which one of the following pairs is **not** correctly matched ?

(Indian Army Corps) : (Headquarters)

UPSC Prelims 2015 medium International Relations Open full page

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

UPSC Prelims 2016 easy International Relations Open full page

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

UPSC Prelims 2022 medium International Relations Open full page

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea in measure.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show 3 more PYQs
UPSC Prelims 2026 hard International Relations Open full page

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India?

1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness

Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC Prelims 2024 medium International Relations Open full page

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below :

UPSC Prelims 2023 medium International Relations Open full page

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?