Indo-Pak Public Diplomacy under the BJP: A Comparative Analysis of Vajpayee and Modi Governments

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of the various aspects of public diplomacy between India and Pakistan during the two BJP governments under consideration. Both countries have a long history of war and strife and people-to-people interactions could not find space to thrive; however, there have been attempts at maintaining public diplomacy from both sides. This study is an endeavor to estimate the successes and failures of public diplomacy strategies and approaches, as well as the behavior and attitude of the leadership towards soft power under the Vajpayee and Modi governments. By exploring various events of public diplomacy, e.g., visits by leadership, sports, cultural, and religious tourism, student exchanges, trade, Track II diplomacy, etc. Furthermore, emphasis is laid on various internal and external barriers and obstacles to public diplomacy faced by both BJP governments, particularly around the Kashmir dispute.