Soft power is the capability of one country to get another one to do what it wants with no need to use military, economic or political coercive measures.

Moral values, cultural influences or shared roots, as well as ideological or strategic common goals seem to play a growing role in International Affairs, due to a multipolar world order that requires ever more diplomacy.

As a pluralistic society with a great diversity in terms of ethnicity, languages and religions, India, as a erstwhile ressurected superpower, may be in a much envied position to play these soft power cards in the global arena.

Diversity is an outstanding gift and a powerful feature in leveraging one country´s influence.

Let´s pick an example: Indian cuisine.

Based on a diversity of spices and herbs, its very strength comes from a sophisticated alchemy that puts them together with different regional ingredients and produces innumerable flavours and dishes.

Considering the more-than-20 million Indian diaspora, it is indisputable that Indian cuisine represents an important tool in spreading the country´s culture and influencing people in so many different places.

In today´s scenario, in which America tries to catch up with its previous absolutely dominant role, countries might not need to increase investments in machine guns.

Instead, they should worry about their fork, spoon and knife stockpiles.