Abstract

In the post – Cold War world, cultural diplomacy has become a key instrument of the foreign - policy apparatus of modern nation - states, serving to influence nations — alongside governments — through culture, identity, art, values, and norms. Iran and India, as two modern nation - states with shared racial, cultural, and identity roots, have not succeeded in establishing a balanced relational interaction. Accordingly, this study seeks to identify which foundations and components play an objective role in redefining and constructing such a relational interaction. The research hypothesis posits that the historical – civilizational, religious – ethical, and scientific – cultural – artistic foundations can be effectively applied within the cultural diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These encompass components such as the Persian language, shared scientific and literary figures, architecture, the Muslim community (particularly the Shiites), and extensive historical–civilizational ties. This applied study employs a mixed - methods approach (quantitative – qualitative), documentary research, and soft - power theory to analyze the subject