The idea of globalization and global village evolved in India much earlier than
Europe and was quite holistic in nature because it was not based on colonizing others
rather it was based on learning from each other and coexistence. As evident from the
verse written in Chapter 6 of Maha Upanishad:
अयं बन्धुरयंनेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्
उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥
(The distinction “This person is mine, and this one is not” is made only by the
narrow-minded (i.e. the ignorant who are in duality). For those of noble
conduct (i.e. who know the Supreme Truth) the whole world is one family
(one Unit).
Since ancient times India believed in the exercise of soft power that works
mainly on the strength of aesthetic beauty and the concern for the wellbeing of
the entire creation as evident from the verse in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om, May All be Happy,
May All be Free from Illness.
May All See what is Auspicious,
May no one Suffer.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
However, this power is rarely recognized as compared to the use of hard power
and tough diplomatic negotiations. This Research Cluster is an effort to recognize and
explore the expanse of cultural influence of India in the entire Asia and beyond
through mutual cultural exchanges not through any colonial project. Cultural and
religious developments in India including Buddhism and Hinduism, became major
markers in India’s close engagement with South Asia and Southeast Asia, the other
two relations are commerce and maritime connectivity. A close study shows that
trade, connectivity, religious philosophy and culture travelled from India to South
Asia and Southeast Asia almost inseparably and at the same time over the centuries,
and the epic Rāmāyana has evolved as a powerful symbol of a strong cultural connect
between India and South Asia and Southeast Asia. Honourable Prime Minister
Narender Modi Ji in East Asian Summit held in Manila described the influence of
Rāmāyana as India’s deep civilizational and historical relations with ASEAN