ABSTRACT
The chapter tries to locate two middle powers, China and India, in today’s world. The first part focuses on Nye’s concept of soft power and its relevance in today’s time for these two aspiring great powers. With the coming of nuclear weapons and increased trade coupled with the information technology, the character of power transition has changed considerably. The chapter analyses the scope for soft power in power transition today, focusing primarily on China and its deployment of soft power. The first part focuses on the successful deployment of soft power by China in various areas. It also dwells with the great power transitions looking at the writings of Organski and the possibility of the much talked about peaceful rise of China through the successful use of soft power.
The chapter also compares the use of soft power by China and India. It is followed by an analysis of the scope of soft power diplomacy by India in the second part. This part also tries to come up with untapped sources of soft power by India which could prove useful in the future. It also tries to explore the possibility of soft power expansion for China and India. It tries to understand if these two middle powers can use soft power effectively to expand their power and influence in the world order and claim a greater power share.
