On November 22, 2023, AUD hosted Dr. Arjit Mazumdar, Professor of Political Science at the University of St. Thomas, for a lecture that examined India’s yoga diplomacy as a soft power asset in service of the country's national interests and demonstrated how the Modi administration is making efforts to project India's soft power in the service of larger strategic goals. The use of soft power is designed to complement India's conventional diplomacy, enhance its international image, project it as a peaceful rising power, improve relations with other countries, and attract foreign investment, technology, and tourists to promote economic growth and development.