‘Buddhist Diplomacy’ of India and China in Southeast Asia: Cooperation to Competition

India’s Act East Policy and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Initiative have been the buzzwords of the respective foreign policies for a decade now. Both countries have used them to reinvigorate their relationship with Southeast Asian nations. These programmes have been used to reinvent not only political and economic relations but also cultural relations. Buddhism has become the major bulwark of these cultural diplomatic initiatives, often viewed by international relations enthusiasts through the lens of soft power strategy. However, this article postulates that these practices have historically been explored and executed more effectively than the present channels suggest. What were the ancient linkages between these nations through Buddhism? Are the current leaders better adept at utilising Buddhism as a soft power strategy? Does Buddhism stand as a competitive legacy between India and China? Can India restore its future friendship with Southeast Asia by banking on its glorious past? What role does China want to play in Southeast Asia? Can Southeast Asian nations be viewed as a singular identity? These are the few questions that the article seeks to explore.