Beyond the Plate: Exploring the Role of Gastrodiplomacy as Soft Power

Abstract

Food has emerged as a key component of gastrodiplomacy, extending beyond the conventional political, economic, and military domains. Nations are strategically employing gastrodiplomacy as an instrument of soft power, as it possesses the ability to foster cross-cultural connections and strengthen diplomatic engagements. The present study aims to understand the process through which culinary practices transcend borders and contribute to nation branding and public diplomacy. Drawing on evidence from across countries, the study depicts the way gastrodiplomacy mobilizes food as a strategy to exert political influence and generate economic capital. The study contains an analysis based on a qualitative research methodology. The study is based on secondary sources, viz., books, journals, policy documents, media reports, and case studies of various countries. The findings indicate that gastrodiplomacy enables countries to promote their history, traditions, and national identity among foreign populations by branding their national cuisine. The study suggests expanding gastrodiplomacy initiatives by organizing a greater number of cultural activities such as food festivals, food campaigns, diplomatic dinners, and cultural events, along with effective use of digital platforms as strategic avenues for fostering intercultural engagement. In view of the limited academic scholarship in this area, the study also suggests more emphasis on research beyond the conventional focus on Western countries and increased attention on the potential of small and middle powers.

Keywords

• Gastrodiplomacy
• Middle Powers
• Nation Branding
• National Cuisine
• Soft Power

How to cite

Debasree Chatterjee (2026) ‘Beyond the Plate: Exploring the Role of Gastrodiplomacy as Soft Power’, Nile - Eurasian International Journal of Humanities, 1(2), pp. 113–128. https://doi.org/10.68283/neijh.v1.i2.a08