Description

In international politics, states often strive to maintain their position through either cooperation or force. Soft power theory has emerged as a non-violent approach for states to achieve national interest by utilizing intangible resources. China and India have successfully employed soft power strategies to expand their influence, and as neighbors of both countries, Pakistan is a relevant case study for examining their soft power application. The withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan has raised questions about how India and China will engage and cooperate in dealing with Pakistan, as well as how they will fill the regional gap left by the US. To explore these questions, a book has been developed that uses Joseph S. Nye's Soft Power theory and developing a new idea of “Power of Bonding” based on non-Western perspectives to examine India and China's soft power strategy on Pakistan. The book aims to compare and understand the influences, strategies, and resources used by India and China when dealing with Pakistan. Additionally, it evaluates their areas of influence and soft power strategy in three thematic areas: political and diplomatic engagement, cultural attributions and attraction for power bonding, and economic partnerships. To accomplish these objectives, the study relies on various research methods, including content analysis of articles published in Pakistan's DAWN newspaper, one-on-one interviews with participants from Pakistan, India, and China, and a literature review that includes non-academic publications, journals, academic books, and official government reports.