Actually India has some influence of "soft power" to a country like Indonesia. At the same side, many people hate China. Simply because your softpower doesn't reach them. India influence comes from their religion, Hindu. Indonesia even favor Mahabharata more than Romance of the Three Kingdoms. They see Mahabharata as the source of wisdom; although I see that most of those wisdoms are bullshit.
Do you know the true strength of Soft Power? Look at Japan. With their soft power, whatever it come from wealth, anime, kid's show, toys, console games, to even p*rn, people in a country like Indonesia forgive their atrocity, and even forget about their cruelty. And don't worry, Indonesia did also suffer from Japanese cruelty in World War 2. The old people still hate Japan. But the youth don't care, simply because those youngsters consumed Japanese soft power that targeting children. Japan is succeed in planting their idea in their targeted country youth. Which eventually will change many people mind.
At the same time, China soft power with money and investment doesn't reach ordinary people. Yes, they influence high rank officials in the government. But these investment become the source of hatred propaganda. Simply because you side with the government. US and Japan propagandist can use Government rival to badmouth you, and even incite hatred to ordinary people.
So basically, Chinese investment, hence your soft power doesn't reach the people in your targeted country. You can only reach high rank government officials who will eventually step down after their term ended. And the after that, when the next officials are sided with western / Japan, you'll lose all your attempt.
You are mistaking the ancient concept of religious infatuation with soft-power. China doesn't have kpop,Japanese anime or manga but seriously comparison with India ?
Many people hate china because their gov state sponsors hate on china be it Indonesia under Suharto or usa.
Religion is completely different than modern context of softpower,for soft power projection a state needs need high lvl of artistry,skills ,human & cultural appeal and massive state wealth.The targeted audience also need certain lvl of education, intelligence and worldly view to be more influenced by it.
Of course the section of poor uneducated Indonesians who knows nothing than basic hinduism/India ,will be effected by Indian softpower like movies,just like nepalis are. Indonesia might never get as refined as developed first world hence India might forever hold niche appeal in small parts of Indonesia with like 4 milllion hindus.
Indians are more relatable to the - unrefined,poor,crude and poorly educated part of the society,just like nepalis are so influenced by Indian softpower though they are in no mean pro India,they respect China more.The east asian content or hollywood is too sophisticated refined for their living standard ,education and taste.
But as those states gets wealthier and educated ,Indian bollywood softpower looks more and more less appealing.India and bollywood is like the antonyms of cool and softpower among gen z.
Mahabharat is part of Hinduism,the protagonist are Hindu gods ,it is supposed to be widespread among hindus.Romance of three kingdom is just a literary piece.Religious material can be disseminated to anybody,from street beggars to rich people seeking respite through religious practice,it doesn't require artistry,wealth ,high intelligence or anything ,just preacher willing to brainwash desperate souls.
In Hinduism,the filthy you're ,the closer you're to divinity,but that wouldn't work in the context of soft power projection I'm speaking of.
From my experience, even the NE states can't stand mainland Indian softpower and immigrants from there and but there you are, an archipelago pacific state singing softpower narrative,try to live in India for couple of months your "soft power" will dry in vapour when you see real India and Indians.. Your kind aren't even light skinned as some NE indians ,your kind might be attacked for simply walking some quaint streets of Delhi.
All the draw India receive from preaching religion in past century is instantly undone by resident Indians and real India.
Do you know the true strength of Soft Power? Look at Japan. With their soft power, whatever it come from wealth, anime, kid's show, toys, console games, to even p*rn, people in a country like Indonesia forgive their atrocity, and even forget about their cruelty. And don't worry, Indonesia did also suffer from Japanese cruelty in World War 2. The old people still hate Japan. But the youth don't care, simply because those youngsters consumed Japanese soft power that targeting children. Japan is succeed in planting their idea in their targeted country youth. Which eventually will change many people mind.
At the same time, China soft power with money and investment doesn't reach ordinary people. Yes, they influence high rank officials in the government. But these investment become the source of hatred propaganda. Simply because you side with the government. US and Japan propagandist can use Government rival to badmouth you, and even incite hatred to ordinary people.
So basically, Chinese investment, hence your soft power doesn't reach the people in your targeted country. You can only reach high rank government officials who will eventually step down after their term ended. And the after that, when the next officials are sided with western / Japan, you'll lose all your attempt.
There's nothing much for Indonesia to forgive Japan,the steam of anti japanese hysteria doesn't hold in Indonesia because it's a product of state sponsored propaganda ,started in Korea in 70s and in China by mid 80s,so as to unite nation through nationalism and divert blame from the gov.Leaders resort to such when faced with internal instability. Meanwhile Indonesia's president Sukarno was freed from jail and backed by japan in fight for independence against western imperialist. It's ridiculous how some Indonesians jumped into victim bandwagon too,Indonesia was neither a colony(ija officially , had no colony,it regarded taiwan and Korea as part of Japan officially);either due to the ethnic chinese influence ,chinese/korean funded activist or the greed for reparation aid fees from Japan. Japanese colonial atrocity is over exaggurated concept manufactured by Western imperialist and self serving east asian nations by 70s-80s.
Any war effort or workers management, was all conducted by Indonesian officals, Japan simply provided monetary and technical support for their contribution.
I think it's unfortunate and absolutely despise how China,and Korea totally altered their state narrative under dictorial power of their leaders Deng Xiaoping-Hu Yaobang & park chung hee respectively, pushed hate propaganda against the nation solely responsible for rise of asia and end of western imperialism in their vicinity. And many SEA nations went along under the pressure of the West and their led propaganda for justification and shifting of blame for invasion/colonialization of Asia.
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