Published Paper Details:

This study comprehensively analyses the strategic integration of soft power initiatives with hard geopolitical objectives in shaping Indo-US relations during the Modi administration from 2014 to 2024. It demonstrates how Prime Minister Narendra Modi adeptly utilised public diplomacy, diaspora mobilisation, and cultural narratives to bolster India's global image while simultaneously pursuing core strategic goals with the United States. Key successes include significant advancements in defence cooperation, technology access, and a strengthened role in the Indo-Pacific. The paper highlights how high-profile events, such as the "Howdy Modi" and "Namaste Trump" rallies, and the institutionalisation of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogues, meticulously aligned symbolic gestures with substantive policy pursuits. Despite these achievements, the analysis also addresses persistent challenges, including India's unwavering commitment to strategic autonomy, its continued engagement with Russia, and the impact of domestic political narratives on its international standing. Ultimately, the Modi government's calibrated application of soft power served as a potent vehicle to project national strength, accumulate diplomatic capital, and negotiate from a position of enhanced legitimacy in its evolving relationship with Washington.