Mr. Jonathan Kithi Alexander

J. K. Alex is a motivated and ardent Research Scholar at Mahatma Gandhi University pursuing a PhD in International Relations. As a native of Coastal Kenya, he have always been fascinated by the intricacy of international affairs and the forces that define our global community. My research topic is: “India’s soft power diplomacy in the global south: A Study of Kenya-India Relations (2009-2019)”
The present study aims to investigate the phenomenon of India’s soft power diplomacy vis-à-vis countries in the global south, with a specific focus on the bilateral relations between India and Kenya during the period spanning from 2009 to 2019. Soft power refers to a nation-state’s strategic employment of cultural, educational, and economic mechanisms to influence and reshape foreign perceptions and attitudes. The present analysis delves into India’s strategic endeavors to enhance its global reputation and foster stronger connections with economically disadvantaged nations, with a particular focus on the case study of Kenya.
During the designated timeframe, India and Kenya actively pursued cultural, educational, and economic initiatives to fortify their bilateral relations. These endeavors encompass a range of initiatives, such as fostering cultural exchanges, facilitating Kenyan student scholarships to India, promoting cooperative development projects, and enhancing bilateral trade relations. This study delves into how these endeavors have enhanced India’s reputation and cultivated mutual comprehension. The present study analyses the bilateral relations between India and Kenya to evaluate the efficacy of India’s soft power diplomacy strategy and its implications for collaborations within the global south.