NAVIGATING PITFALLS OF INDIA’S SOFT POWER POLITICS IN SOUTH ASIA: A CASE OF INDIA’S HUMANITARIAN AID TO NEPAL

India’s soft power strategy in South Asia has long been characterized by its extensive humanitarian aid efforts, particularly in neighboring countries like Nepal. While these efforts have been instrumental in enhancing India’s image and strengthening diplomatic ties, they have also encountered significant challenges. This paper examines the complexities and pitfalls of India’s soft power politics through a detailed analysis of its humanitarian aid to Nepal. By exploring the dual nature of these initiatives—combining altruistic motives with geopolitical ambitions—this study seeks to illuminate the limitations and unintended consequences of India’s soft power strategy in the region.To this end, the study assesses Indian aid to Nepal in several critical contexts including flood relief in the Terai region and Southern Nepal (1997, 2002, 2007), Operation Maitri’s extensive relief and reconstruction initiatives, post-earthquake efforts in 2018 and 2024, and ongoing flood support (2021, 2023). These cases illuminate how humanitarian aid is used as a tool for blending altruistic and geopolitical and strategic interests. The study explores the implications of this humanitarian diplomacy for India’s foreign policy and regional stability, contributing to the broader discourse on how such aid can both enhance diplomatic standing and projecting soft power. It further addresses the challenges and drawbacks India faces in refining its diplomatic approach and strengthening its geopolitical influence in South Asia.