8, November 2025

Compassionate Governance: Ashoka’s Dhamma and Contemporary Peace Diplomacy with Southeast Asia

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-11; NOV-2025

Author(s): Himanshu Rai

Authors Affiliations:

Research Scholar , Department of Political Science,  Jiwaji University,  Gwalior, India

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202511002     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202511002


Abstract
Keywords
Cite this Article/Paper as
References

This paper explores the enduring legacy of Emperor Ashoka’s ethical statecraft—centered on nonviolence, compassion, and moral responsibility—and reinterprets its relevance for contemporary Indian foreign policy, particularly in the context of Southeast Asia. By examining Ashoka’s model of “Dhamma” governance, including the deployment of *Dhamma-mahamattas* (moral emissaries), the study draws parallels with India's diplomatic strategies under its Act East Policy. This includes cultural diplomacy, heritage conservation, and Buddhist circuit initiatives with ASEAN countries. The research argues that Ashoka’s compassionate governance can serve as a soft power template for peace-oriented diplomacy, offering ethical foundations for regional cooperation in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.

Ashoka, Dhamma, compassionate governance, ASEAN, Buddhist diplomacy, Indian foreign policy, soft power, Southeast Asia, heritage diplomacy, moral statecraft

Himanshu Rai (2025); Compassionate Governance: Ashoka’s dhamma and contemporary peace diplomacy with Southeast Asia, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-11, Pp.8-9.          Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

  1. Thapar, Romila. Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas. Oxford University Press, 1997.
  2. Ghosh, Anjali. “India’s Look East Policy: Its Evolution and New Dimensions.” South Asian Survey, vol. 15, no. 2, 2008, pp. 217–232.
  3. Nye, Joseph S. Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. PublicAffairs, 2004.
  4. Sen, Amartya. The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
  5. Bechert, Heinz. “Ashoka and Buddhism—New Evidence.” The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, vol. 5, no. 1, 1982.
  6. Singh, Sinderpal. “India’s ‘Act East’ Policy: Strategic Implications for ASEAN and Beyond.” Contemporary Southeast Asia, vol. 38, no. 3, 2016.
  7. Ministry of External Affairs (India). “India-ASEAN Relations.” Government of India, 2023.
  8. Dehejia, Vidya. The Body Adorned: Sacred and Profane in Indian Art. Columbia University Press, 2009.
Post Views: 148

Download Full Paper

Download PDF No. of Downloads:13 | No. of Views: 123