Pakistan & India Utilising Soft Power Within Afghanistan: Towards Radical Foreign Policy Perspective

Abstract

The international system is essentially progressive, so as industrialization and technology for communication improved, there has been a shift in position and attitude. Governments are more motivated to build soft powers to be a method of achieving their goals. In a similar line, India has utilised its soft power as foreign policy weapon to shape regional affairs and grow its footprint in this area. India has a longstanding stake in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's geostrategic significance affects Indians in a number of ways, including politics, strategy, and economy. Indian authorities urge India to strengthen its foothold in Afghanistan so as to fulfil its tactical objectives of simplifying the path to regional power acknowledgment and becoming a worldwide active rising power. In contrast, Pakistan and Afghanistan share deep geostrategic and cultural ties. India's growing presence in Afghanistan poses a threat for Pakistan due to the lengthy border either the Durand Line has to Afghanistan towards the southwest; any incident related to that country might have an instant impact on both countries. Pakistan was historically cautious of India's involvement in Afghanistan, believing that its expanding influence could erode Pakistan's position. Notwithstanding its extensive past, historical cultural traditions, and religious affiliations, Pakistan has not demonstrated its soft power methods. If Pakistan uses its soft power to be a foreign policy tool, it would not only increase its position in Afghanistan, but also improve its global image. The current study is exploratory and qualitative in character, employing data obtained from secondary sources such as documents, papers, government records, and lessons. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine India's soft power programmes in Afghanistan, the consequences of Indian softer power for Pakistan, and what Islamabad may do to avoid this predicament.