India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
India’s geopolitical position as a subcontinental power plays a significant role in shaping its foreign policy. The nation’s ‘Neighborhood First’ approach is a testament to this, prioritizing healthy and mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring nations. Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister met with the President of Maldives, exhibiting the complementary nature of India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ and Maldives’ ‘India First’ policies.
Understanding India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
The Neighbourhood First Policy underlines India’s dedication to fostering friendly ties and mutual advantage with its neighbours. This approach concentrates on establishing regional frameworks that prioritize people and benefit all parties involved. It is characterized by a consultative, non-reciprocal, and outcome-oriented strategy that aims to deliver benefits such as increased connectivity, improved infrastructure, stronger development collaboration in various sectors, security, and broader people-to-people contacts.
Main Objectives of The Neighbourhood First Policy
India has targeted several specific areas to foster cooperation with its neighbours:
– **Connectivity**: Through MoUs with SAARC members, India aims for freer cross-border flows of resources, energy, goods, labour, and information.
– **Building Relations**: Prioritizing peace and tranquillity in South Asia to support development goals.
– **Dialogue**: Enhancing political connectivity with neighbouring countries through robust regional diplomacy.
– **Economic Cooperation**: Strengthening trade ties, especially via SAARC.
– **Disaster Management**: Cooperating on disaster response, resource management, and sharing expertise.
– **Military and Defence Cooperation**: Deepening regional security through military cooperation and participation in defence exercises.
India’s Relations with Neighbouring Countries
India’s interactions with its neighbours have been marked by several noteworthy developments and partnerships:
– **India – Maldives**: A new security partnership, an $80-million contract for land reclamation and shore protection, a rehabilitation center built with Indian assistance, and significant tourism and job destination for Indians.
– **India – Bhutan**: The Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, hydropower cooperation under the 2006 Agreement on Cooperation in Hydropower, and substantial economic support.
– **India – Nepal**: High-level visits by political leaders, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950, and hydropower project agreements.
– **India – Sri Lanka**: MoUs to set up hybrid power projects, agreement for a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, and Indian aid to implement a ‘Unitary Digital Identity framework’.
Challenges Faced by India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
Several challenges threaten the effectiveness of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy:
– **Growing Chinese Pressure**: China’s increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and its pressure tactics have made it difficult for India to secure regional allies.
– **Interference in Domestic Affairs**: Accusations of India meddling in neighbour countries’ internal affairs, especially regarding sovereignty issues in Nepal.
– **Impact of India’s Domestic Politics**: India’s internal policies occasionally cause friction with neighbours such as Bangladesh.
– **Impact of India’s Tilt towards West**: As India shifts closer to the West, it risks straining relationships with neighbours, particularly Sri Lanka.
Way Forward
To ensure regional growth and the consolidation of its relations with neighbours, India’s policy must draw from the principles of the Gujral Doctrine. It should strive to balance its economic and foreign policies without compromising bilateral relationships. Boosting regional connectivity while addressing security concerns are key. Technological measures, proven to be cost-effective, efficient, and reliable in other parts of the world, should be implemented.
