Yoga Diplomacy and EU Values
In recent years, yoga has been elevated in India as a key element of the prime minister's political agenda, used domestically within a Hindu nationalist narrative and internationally as a tool of soft power to promote cooperation and unity. In a region where religious narratives prevail, yoga and Buddhism have become political discourses for bridging cultural divides and encouraging new international cooperation agreements.
Joseph S. Nye, Jr., who coined the term 'Soft power', defines it as "the ability to achieve desired outcomes in international affairs through attraction rather than coercion” (Nye, 2004). Recognizing India's cultural heritage as a key soft power asset, this article illustrates how India has utilized it to shape public opinion and strengthen diplomatic alliances, as seen in the UN's declaration of 'International Yoga Day' in 2015 and India’s proposals to mediate in international conflicts.
Moreover, this article examines the resistance to the yoga nationalist agenda by religious minorities, who reject yoga as incompatible with their beliefs and protest the government's appropriation of this ancient tradition. The diverse political interpretations of yoga (as a philosophy of peace) can be seen in the views of some locals, who argue that yoga has been historically linked to higher castes and that it incorporates Hindu concepts that perpetuate social inequality in India. For instance, common terms like karma (cause and effect law) can promote acceptance of marginal living conditions, while dharma (life purpose) may uphold caste divisions by emphasizing predefined roles. Amidst the intricate debate over yoga’s legitimacy as a tool of soft power, this article seeks to outline the appropriation of yoga by Modi’s political party and the resulting responses it has generated.
Cultural Identity as Soft Power
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) political campaign, which culminated in Modi’s election in 2014 was built on values and slogans that have become the foundation of his administration. One cornerstone has been the promotion of the 'Hindutva' ideology as a vision of 'Indianness' that emphasizes the traditional aspects of Hinduism. The 'Hindutva' ideology presents a conservative interpretation of Indian scriptures, aiming to unify Hindus under a shared nationalistic identity while reaffirming the supremacy of the Brahmin caste. Nevertheless, given India's diverse population, Modi's ‘Hindutva’ policy has been criticized as a nativist approach to national identity, contravening the secular values outlined in the Indian Constitution. Critics have accused Modi of delivering anti-Muslim speeches and implementing detrimental policies. His administration has also been accused of favoring Hinduism through the promotion of Hindu teachings and investments in Hindu temples, such as the recent inauguration of the largest Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
Another important ambition of Modi’s administration has been to enhance India's role as a 'Vishwaguru,' envisioning India as a global leader. Modi articulated this vision stating: 'We have to emerge as a Vishwaguru, not only to give a new direction to the world but also to protect our own heritage' (Modi N., 2015). He has praised yoga as 'India's gift to the world,' emphasizing its power to cultivate 'peaceful harmony of body and mind' (Mohan, 2014). He has even promoted yoga as a strategy for addressing climate change, stating, “By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, yoga can help us deal with climate change” (Modi N., 2021).
As a result of Modi’s efforts, the annual International Day of Yoga prospered in 2015, with 175 countries co-sponsoring the resolution to establish it as an international festivity. The inaugural celebration led to Modi earning two Guinness World Records: one for the 'largest yoga session' and another for the 'most nationalities participating in a single yoga class.' Similar support was received from the Indian Navy, who practiced yoga in sub-zero temperatures as part of the government's “Yoga Across Oceans” initiative.
Lastly, a further element of Modi's campaign is the Sanskrit mantra 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' which envisions the entire world as one big family. Under this slogan, prominently displayed throughout the country, the Prime Minister aims to promote a form of spiritual globalization that transcends nationalistic barriers. This slogan was echoed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the 2015 International Yoga Day celebration, where she stated that yoga could evolve into ‘a potent tool for the United Nations to promote the message of brotherhood’ (External Affairs Minister’s, 2015).
Modi celebrating International Yoga Day. Source: PMIndia.
Yoga: A Pathway to Diplomacy
Since Modi's appointment, his diplomatic visits have consistently highlighted Indian cultural elements of soft power, such as India's cuisine, Bollywood and its spiritual-philosophical heritage. Modi stated "Wherever I travel…the conversation starts with yoga. There is hardly any leader who has not spent five-ten minutes talking on yoga" (Modi N., 2019).
While Modi represents Hindu nationalism, he has strategically positioned Buddhism (the alleged origin of yoga) as a cornerstone of India’s diplomatic relations. By emphasizing shared Buddhist heritage, he has strengthened ties with countries like Thailand, South Korea, Nepal and Bhutan. His efforts include visiting Buddhist temples during diplomatic visits and organizing events like the Global Buddhist Summit in 2023.
In June 2022, a politically significant event unfolded in the Maldives when the Indian Ministry of External Affairs organized a large-scale International Yoga Day celebration in Maldives. Set in a predominantly Muslim country, the event faced significant backlash, leading to police using tear gas to control the situation. Reports revealed that "a crowd stormed the stadium", with protesters carrying banners denouncing yoga as incompatible with Islamic principles. This incident increased anti-India rhetoric, shifting regional dynamics and favoring China as the leading power.
Regarding India's relations with Western countries, Modi's visit to the United States in June 2023 focused on yoga and technology development as key areas for enhancing ties and tackling the climate crisis. The visit included a United Nations yoga event, with senior UN officials and global community figures. Modi faced criticism for allegedly using the occasion to divert attention from accusations that his administration has fostered Hindu nationalism, weakened democratic institutions, and ignored the human rights of marginalized minorities.
One of Modi’s most controversial recent visits was to Russia on July 9, 2024, where he emphasized strengthening India-Russia relations. In response to criticism from U.S. and Ukrainian officials regarding his visit, Modi stated, 'We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region' (Modi N., 2024). The Russian President expressed gratitude for India’s efforts towards peace. However, a month after his visit to Russia, Modi traveled on August 23, 2024, to Ukraine to reaffirm his commitment to peace efforts. Regarding India's neutrality, Modi remarked, 'We chose to stay away from the conflict, but this does not mean we are neutral' (Modi N., 2024).
India's efforts to use yoga and Buddhism as instruments of peace and wellbeing are acknowledged as a fulfillment of the collective responsibility to improve “global health as long-term development objective”(UN Resolution 69/131). This understanding of yoga as a promoter of a healthy lifestyle is now widely supported by governments and international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which launched the WHO mYoga app in 2021 in collaboration with the Government of India. However, critics claim that to achieve the role of a peacemaker, India must address its internal challenges related to national fundamentalism and human rights violations.
Yoga with Modi: Vrikshasana Hindi
Final Comments
Modi’s yoga diplomacy and the worldwide embrace of yoga exemplify soft power: the capacity to exert influence without coercion. Just as the pacifist principles of yoga are promoted today, Gandhi’s theory of non-violence served a similar purpose in addressing international criticism of the Pakistan partition. The renowned pacifist movement and the spread of yoga demonstrate how religious narratives can resonate more than political discourses and act as a unifying force. While Western countries often approach past fundamentalist discourses cautiously, many Asian countries view the impacts of imposed Western policies with apprehension. In this context of "distrust" toward foreign influences, Asia's cultural legacies can serve as a powerful point of unification for fostering international cooperation, equality, and democracy. Nevertheless, it is important to note that governments must be mindful of the language used to promote certain ideologies and remain aware of the social and political contexts from which these ideas arise. It is essential to critically evaluate the soft power narratives employed by institutions to discern the difference between political agendas and philosophical principles. By doing so, we can ensure that practices like yoga develop into true philosophies that foster peace rather than serving as instruments for political purposes.
Sara Acevedo is an Assistant Professor at O.P. Jindal Global University in India and a member of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Peace Studies. She holds a law degree from Universidad Icesi in Colombia and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Penn State University. Her research has centered on environmental studies, focusing on ecofeminism, food sovereignty, natural resources management in urban communities in Colombia and India, and environmental education through artistic expressions.
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of EU-VALUES Network.