Promoting human rights as a way of improving soft power: The case of India’s caste-based discrimination at the United Nations
By: Khanna, Tejal
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Material type: 
BookPublisher: India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs Description: 80(1), Mar, 2024: p.101-116.Subject(s): India’s ascendance, Economic power, Soft power, International politics, Ancient cultural heritage, Buddhism, Yoga, Diaspora engagement, Human rights, United Nations, Universal Declaration on Human Rights, UN Human Rights Treaties, Caste discrimination, Dalit rights, International recognition, Indian diplomats, Racial discrimination, Global perspective, Leadership role, Largest democracy, Responsible power, UN categorisation, State actor
In:
India Quarterly: A Journal of International AffairsSummary: The ascendance of India as an economic power is well documented. This rising India has also focused on increasing its soft power and influence in international politics, especially through the dissemination of its values of ancient cultural heritage such as Buddhism, yoga and engagement with the diaspora. In the field of human rights as well, as a founding member of the United Nations (UN), India has participated in the framing of the Universal Declaration on the Human Rights and has signed various UN Human Rights Treaties and Conventions over the years. However, in the particular case of addressing caste discrimination, India has shied away from the international recognition of Dalit rights as human rights. Indian diplomats have continually opposed any internationalisation of caste-based discrimination and its linkage to racial discrimination at the global level, especially in the UN. In this scenario, how does the international community view India’s ascendance with respect to this issue? This article argues that India must play a leadership role in defending the rights of discriminated caste groups if it seeks to enhance its soft power credentials of being the largest democracy and demonstrate itself as a responsible power at the global level with respect to human rights issues. Furthermore, the norm that UN has tried to create of categorising caste discrimination as a form of racial discrimination cannot be strengthened without India’s support as India happens to be the most relevant state actor in this case.- Reproduced
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09749284231225826
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Vol info | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | 80(1), Mar, 2024: p.101-116 | Available | AR132152 |
The ascendance of India as an economic power is well documented. This rising India has also focused on increasing its soft power and influence in international politics, especially through the dissemination of its values of ancient cultural heritage such as Buddhism, yoga and engagement with the diaspora. In the field of human rights as well, as a founding member of the United Nations (UN), India has participated in the framing of the Universal Declaration on the Human Rights and has signed various UN Human Rights Treaties and Conventions over the years. However, in the particular case of addressing caste discrimination, India has shied away from the international recognition of Dalit rights as human rights. Indian diplomats have continually opposed any internationalisation of caste-based discrimination and its linkage to racial discrimination at the global level, especially in the UN. In this scenario, how does the international community view India’s ascendance with respect to this issue? This article argues that India must play a leadership role in defending the rights of discriminated caste groups if it seeks to enhance its soft power credentials of being the largest democracy and demonstrate itself as a responsible power at the global level with respect to human rights issues. Furthermore, the norm that UN has tried to create of categorising caste discrimination as a form of racial discrimination cannot be strengthened without India’s support as India happens to be the most relevant state actor in this case.- Reproduced
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09749284231225826
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