BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

USE OF SOFT POWER IN DIPLOMACY IN CHANGING GLOBAL SCENARIO: BANGLADESH IN PERSPECTIVE

Author: Razia Sultana

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2023v44n2a5

ABSTRACT

The paper aims to explore the potential of soft power within Bangladesh’s diplomatic practices and proposes a framework to understand its relevance and application in the changing global context. Soft power diplomacy, like many other countries, is an important instrument for Bangladesh in advancing some of its foreign policy goals. In the changing global scenario sourced from major events like COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine War and resultant instability, every country—regardless of big or small—has been trying to reorient its foreign policy focusing on key national interests. Bangladesh is no exception in this case and in view of these changes, has been trying to promote its soft power diplomacy at regional and international levels. It is, therefore, crucial to revisit how soft power shapes Bangladesh’s foreign policy in the fabric of current global politics. It is also important to reflect on how can the country promote soft power diplomacy efficiently in the current global context? The paper deals with these core issues. The key argument of this paper is that since Bangladesh has limited hard power resources, it should opt for soft power to adapt to changing global circumstances. The paper suggests a number of potential areas (sustained development, nation branding, investment in ICT and so on) for strengthening the country’s soft power in diplomacy.