ABSTRACT
Based on Joseph Nye’s three soft power resources, the chapter aims to study the role of Indian soft power in Afghanistan in strengthening its national security. The chapter argues that in the case of Afghanistan, India’s over-reliance on soft power and its inability to balance it with some harder options or smart power, New Delhi has risked Afghanistan's gains since 2001. With intra-Afghan dialogue due to begin in August 2020, there is a possibility that the Taliban will assume a more significant role in Afghan politics. The developing scenario poses two major challenges for India and its national security: first, the possibility of a spillover of terrorism from Afghanistan; second, Pakistan’s increasing influence.
