Soft power of India in Africa
India uses soft power in Africa to build influence. After independence, Nehru encouraged Indian communities in Africa. In the 1990s, after the Cold War, India reshaped its policy and began using these communities as a key soft power tool. Indian cinema has helped Africans connect with Indian culture, showing social values, fashion, and food. Scholars such as Thussu and Tharoor describe Indian cinema as soft power that speaks to international audiences.
Between 1829 and 1924, about 769,437 Indians moved to Mauritius, South Africa, Réunion, Seychelles, and East Africa. Today, the Indian diaspora is present in 46 African countries and accounts for about 12.5% of India's total diaspora.
From 2002 to 2012, about $64 billion in investment flowed from Africa to India. Mauritius was the largest direct investor in India, thanks to its tax laws and strong diaspora ties.
Indian-origin professionals hold important roles in African governments and businesses, showing the diaspora's impact on policy. India’s cultural heritage includes Ayurveda and yoga, which are practiced in many countries. Yoga is promoted globally, and the United Nations declared International Day of Yoga as a symbol of India’s cultural diplomacy.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 17:06 (CET).