India’s Shift to Soft Power in Nepal: A Case Study of the Borderland City of Birgunj

Abstract

A variety of factors influenced India’s shift from hard power to soft power diplomacy in Nepal. The factors that influenced the Indian economic blockade on Nepal in 2015 and the interaction between the agent of power (India) and the subject of power (Nepali) are examined through a case study of the borderland city of Birgunj. It is argued that India shifted from hard power to soft power diplomacy in Nepal after the ‘unofficial’ border blockade imposed by India over Nepal for five months in 2015. The five key factors that influenced the shift from hard power to soft power policy are (1) the internationalisation of Nepal’s conflict; (2) the opening of border transits and construction of roads to China; (3) the trade agreement and signing of Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative by Nepal; (4) change in interpretation and recipient of activities of official Indian governmental and bureaucratic structures by the subject of power (Madheshi ethnic Nepali) and (5) contemporary political situation in India. The Borderland city of Birgunj is used to discuss these factors.