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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrhs.net.v14.i4.5
Jay Koche
PhD Scholar, Department of South and Central Asian Studies
Central University of Punjab
Bathinda, India
Anjana V.S.
PhD Scholar, Department of South and Central Asian Studies
Central University of Punjab
Bathinda, India
Ashish Kumar
PhD Scholar, Department of South and Central Asian Studies
Central University of Punjab
Bathinda, India
Abstract— The article views Buddhism as a factor in the continuation of India-ASEAN relations, focusing on its role as a medium for cultural diplomacy and people-to-people interactions. The study embarks upon a historical account of the Buddhist linkages between India and Southeast Asia to demonstrate how Buddhism adapted to the local cultures. It then analyses contemporary initiatives such as pilgrimage tourism, cultural festivals, and institutional collaborations that leverage Buddhism to draw closer ties. The article also explores India’s challenges in utilising Buddhism as a diplomatic tool, including religious diversity within ASEAN, geopolitical competition with China’s Buddhist diplomacy, and the cultural sensitivities of secular governance in the region. A comparative analysis of India and China’s approaches to Buddhist diplomacy underscores the need for India to articulate its historical legacy while addressing contemporary strategic concerns. The findings suggest that Buddhism plays a tremendously strong pillar in India’s cultural and spiritual diplomacy with ASEAN. To fully realise this potential, India must strengthen its multilateral engagements, enlarge Buddhist tourism circuits, and emphasise shared spiritual values. This study contributes to the broader discourses on soft power diplomacy and highlights Buddhism’s enduring relevance as a bridge for transregional cooperation in a multipolar world.
Keywords— Soft Power, Cultural Diplomacy, Buddhist Diplomacy, India, ASEAN, China, Act East Policy
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