Commentary
Cultural diplomacy plays a pivotal role in the execution of foreign policy. It serves not only as a valuable tool for advancing a state’s cultural policies abroad but also contributes to creating favourable conditions for achieving broader foreign policy goals. Introduced by Frederich Barghoorn (1960), cultural diplomacy can be defined as “the promotion abroad of state’s cultural achievements” (Berridge, G. R. and James A. 2003). It involves “the exchange of ideas, information, art and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster mutual understandings” (M. C. Cummings 2003). Cultural diplomacy is a political activity which advances national interests under the cover of cultural engagement (Taylor 2007). Cultural diplomacy is an integral part of soft power politics as it includes the exchange of ideas, information, works of art and other components of culture between states and their peoples to strengthen mutual understanding (Clarke 2016). By promoting cross-cultural understanding, cultural diplomacy contributes to peace, stability, and collaboration among nations.
India has a rich history of employing cultural diplomacy as a cornerstone of its modern statecraft. Dating back to ancient times, India has utilized its diverse cultural heritage, art, literature, philosophy, and spirituality to engage with other nations and promote its interests. Through cultural exchanges, language programs, and educational initiatives, India has sought to build bridges with other countries. In recent times, India has continued to leverage its cultural assets to enhance its soft power and attract global admiration and respect. Cultural diplomacy is an important element of India’s policy towards the Middle East. The opening of a Hindu temple by Prime Minister Modi in Dubai stands as a testament to India’s successful cultural diplomacy. Similarly, culture plays a vital role in the bilateral relationship between India and Qatar.
The historical ties between India and Qatar can be traced back to ancient times, facilitated by maritime trade routes that connected the Indian subcontinent with the Arabian Peninsula. Since the economic boom in Qatar, cultural exchanges have boomed between the two countries, leading to a rich tapestry of shared experiences, traditions, and influences. These ties are reinforced through regular cultural exchanges facilitated by the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, which was signed between the two countries in 2012 (Ministry of Culture, India 2012).
Qatar holds a profound admiration for India’s rich cultural diversity, a sentiment that was further underscored by the commemoration of the India-Qatar Year of Culture in 2019. Since then, several cultural events have taken place throughout Qatar which encompasses a wide array of cultural expressions, including exhibitions, fashion shows, art displays, dance performances, and musical concerts, among others. Noteworthy collaborations were forged with Qatari institutions such as the Ministry of Culture & Sports of Qatar, Qatar Museums, Qatar Foundation, Katara Cultural Village and Qatar Posts ( Years of Culture 2019). Moreover, the Embassy of India in Doha, in collaboration with the Indian Community in Qatar, commemorated the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” in 2022-2023, symbolizing a celebration of India’s independence. India also has played a pivotal role as one of the partner countries for the Qatar MENASA Year of Culture in 2022, further solidifying the cultural bonds between the two nations. The Indian Mission in Qatar actively engages with various Qatari organizations, including Katara, Qatar National Tourism Council, and Qatar Museums, across diverse domains such as arts, culture, and education. In addition, a three-day cultural festival titled ‘Passage to India’, held in March 2023, served as a platform for showcasing the vibrant facets of Indian culture, underscoring the multifaceted nature of cultural diplomacy in fostering enduring ties between India and Qatar (Doha News 2022).
As a co-sponsor, Qatar extended its support for international cultural diplomacy by endorsing a resolution at the UN General Assembly, which was unanimously adopted with 177 co-sponsors. This resolution declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, an initiative aimed at promoting the ancient practice of yoga worldwide. In addition to promoting yoga, Qatar has also embraced the practice of complementary medicine, including Ayurveda, within its borders. This stance was exemplified by a visit from a 2-member delegation representing the Ministry of AYUSH of the Government of India to Doha in September 2019. During this visit, discussions were held with officials from Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health regarding the establishment of a legal framework in Qatar to facilitate the practice of Ayurveda. Dr Ahmed Ali Al-Mohammed, Chair of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Committee at Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, further demonstrated Qatar’s commitment to global health initiatives by participating in the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit titled “Towards Health and Well-Being for All.” Held in Gandhinagar between 17 and 18 August 2023, this summit provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration on traditional medicine practices worldwide (WHO 2023).
The fostering of cultural relations between India and Qatar is significantly facilitated by various organizations and forums like the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), the Indian Sports Centre (ISC), the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), and the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) play pivotal roles (MEA 2024).
The Indian expatriates in Qatar form a vibrant and dynamic community, contributing to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Qatari society. Constituting approximately 27 percent of Qatar’s total population, the Indian community forms an integral part of the social fabric and economic landscape of the country. Approximately 835,000 Indians living in Qatar, represent the largest expatriate demographic in the country, spanning a diverse array of professions encompassing medicine, engineering, education, finance, banking, business, media, and a significant contingent of blue-collar workers (MEA 2023). The substantial presence of Indian expatriates in Qatar serves as a cornerstone of bilateral relations between India and Qatar, reflecting a deep-rooted and symbiotic relationship.
Diplomatic ties, trade relations, and Indian diaspora have played a key role in fostering mutual understanding, economic growth, and cultural exchange between India and Qatar. Diplomatic exchanges between the two nations have been marked by high-level visits, bilateral agreements, and collaborative efforts across various sectors. Qatar stands as one of India’s important trading partners in the Gulf region, with bilateral trade volumes of $19 billion (1.96bn export and 16.8bn import) (MEA 2024). Qatar stands as India’s primary source of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), supplying 10.74 million metric tons (MMT) valued at US$ 8.32 billion during the fiscal year 2022-23 which constitutes more than 48 percent of India’s total LNG imports (MEA 2024). The strong diplomatic ties, existing trade relations, and active Indian diaspora in Qatar played a pivotal role in the recent commutation of sentences of Indian Navy personnel. The diplomatic channels between India and Qatar, coupled with bilateral engagements, facilitated constructive dialogue and negotiations aimed at resolving the issue.
India-Qatar relations face certain challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, cultural misconceptions, and geopolitical tensions. Despite ongoing reforms, challenges persist regarding the welfare of Indian migrant workers in Qatar, encompassing issues related to working conditions, compensation, and legal rights, leading to diplomatic tensions. However, these challenges also present opportunities for both countries to deepen their engagement through enhanced dialogue, cooperation, and cultural diplomacy. Initiatives such as academic exchanges, cultural festivals, and heritage preservation projects can further enrich India-Qatar cultural relations and foster greater mutual respect and appreciation. Thus, India-Qatar cultural relations represent a dynamic and multifaceted partnership rooted in shared history, values, and aspirations. By leveraging their cultural affinities, economic complementarities, and people-to-people connections, India and Qatar can continue to strengthen their bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability, prosperity, and cultural diversity. Through sustained dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect, the two countries can build a brighter future based on trust, understanding, and cooperation.Thus, India’s long-standing tradition of cultural diplomacy reflects its commitment to promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation among nations. As India continues to assert itself as a global player, its cultural diplomacy remains a vital tool in advancing its interests and shaping the course of international relations.
References:
Barghoorn, Frederich (1960). The Soviet Cultural Offensive: The role of Cultural Diplomacy in Soviet Foreign Policy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Berridge, G. R. and James A. (2003). A Dictionary of Diplomacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillen, p.62.
Clarke, David (2016). “Theorizing the role of cultural products in cultural diplomacy from a Cultural Studies perspective.” International Journal of Cultural Policy, 22(2): 147-163.
Cummings, M. C. (2003). Cultural Diplomacy and the United States Government: A Survey. Washington: Center for Arts and Culture, p.1.
Doha News (2022). “Passage to India 2022 festival a hit”, 25 March 2022. URL: https://www.gulf-times.com/story/712348/passage-to-india-2022-festival-a-hit.
Ministry of Culture, Republic of India (2012). “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the State of Qatar in the field of Culture.” https://indiaculture.gov.in/sites/default/files/Cultural%20Agreement/CAQATAR_11.16.2018.pdf
Years of Culture (2019). “Qatar-India 2019 8th edition of Years of Culture.” URL: https://yearsofculture.qa/past-editions/qatar-india-2019.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (2024). “India-Qatar Bilateral Relations.” URL: https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India_Qatar_10_feb_024.pdf.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (MEA) (2023). “India-Qatar Bilateral Relations”.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (MEA) (2024). “India-Qatar Bilateral Relations”, URL: https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India_Qatar_10_feb_024.pdf.
Taylor P.M. (2007). Global Communications: International Affairs and the Media Since 1945. New York: Routledge, p.79.
WHO (2023). “Gujarat Declaration”, 2 September 2023. URL: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/who-traditional-medicine-summit-2023-meeting-report–gujarat-declaration.
Dr. Ikhlaq Ahmed received his Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees from the Centre for West Asian Studies, JNU. His interests cover the Geopolitics of West Asia, India-GCC Relations and Sufism.
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