Migration as soft power in regional institutions: the case of South Asia and the gulf cooperation council (gcc)

Abstract

Migration has become an important soft power tool for South Asian states working with regional organisations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This article examines how South Asian countries strategically manage labour migration policies within the GCC framework to protect the interests of their migrants while countering domestic political pressures and economic dependencies. The study asks the question: How do South Asian states use labour migration in regional institutions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council to balance national sovereignty and international cooperation in a multipolar world, where established powers like the United States and emerging great powers such as China compete for influence? Drawing on Nye’s concept of soft power and Keohane’s neoliberal institutionalism, this article argues that migration is not merely a socio-economic phenomenon but also a diplomatic advantage. South Asian states use migration to negotiate favourable terms with GCC countries, ensure economic security through remittances and at the same time maintain their regional influence. By analysing migration-related agreements, labour policies and bilateral commitments, this article highlights the dual role of regional organisations as collaborators and challengers of global institutions. The findings show that labour migration policy in the Gulf Cooperation Council is a balancing act of strengthening economic interdependence while managing the complexities of sovereignty and international politics.