India and Israel: A shared playbook in occupation and soft power narratives
Islamabad: India and Israel have long engaged in complex geopolitical strategies, employing a blend of hard and soft power to maintain territorial control and shape international perceptions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, recent developments show a convergence in their approaches, particularly in leveraging soft power to justify brutal occupations and suppress dissent in Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
Analysts have noted that India has skillfully utilized soft power to create a narrative of supposed progress in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, overshadowing ongoing human rights concerns in the territory. Bollywood films and media outlets project a sanitized image of the territory, diverting attention from the persistent human rights violations. This media influence has largely shielded India from international scrutiny regarding its brutal actions in Kashmir.
Digital diplomacy has further bolstered India’s global image, promoting economic initiatives and humanitarian aid that deflect from its domestic issues. Analysts point out that India’s use of surveillance technology to control narratives and silence dissent is a significant aspect of its strategy.
Seeing India’s success, Israel has been eager to replicate these strategies to manage global perceptions of its cruel policies in Palestine. Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, acknowledged Israel’s need to bolster its soft power by citing India’s success in blending diplomatic and narrative-building strategies.
Israel plans to use digital platforms to deflect criticism of its actions in Palestine, portraying them as acts of self-defense. The Israeli government also seeks to strengthen its influence within international organizations to avoid scrutiny of its policies in Palestine.
Similar to India, Israel intends to leverage its diaspora to influence global opinion and sway international organizations and politicians. Cultural diplomacy, including educational exchanges, is another tactic Israel plans to utilize to build goodwill while suppressing rights.
The collaboration between India and Israel in weaponizing soft power raises serious concerns about the ethical implications of these strategies.
Analysts caution that while these tactics may be effective in shaping narratives, they obscure human rights violations and suppress dissenting voices, particularly in occupied Kashmir and Palestine.
The international community must remain vigilant, critically assessing the information presented and holding these nations accountable for their actions.
As Israel looks to emulate India’s soft power strategies, it is crucial to consider the broader implications of such approaches on global perceptions and the protection of human rights.
