- Recent political shifts in South Asia, after strained ties and perceived regional setbacks, present India with an opportunity to reboot its neighbourhood policy.
About Neighbourhood First Policy
- Meaning: It refers to its strategic approach of prioritising relations with its immediate neighbours, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, & Sri Lanka.
- Objective: Enhancing physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity across the region, as well as augmenting trade and commerce.
Significance of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
- Regional Integration: Build trust through concessions to deepen cooperation. E.g., India–Bangladesh connectivity projects.
- Security Cooperation: Coordinate responses to threats and resolve disputes. E.g., the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
- China Balance: Strengthen ties to counter China’s influence. E.g., India’s SAGAR vision in the Indian Ocean.
- Soft Power: Leverage cultural ties to enhance influence. E.g., Buddhist diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
- Development Linkages: Boost regional growth and Northeast integration. E.g., India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
Changing Regional Landscape
- Regional Flux: South Asia is undergoing political churn, creating opportunities for India to recalibrate its neighbourhood policy.
- Bangladesh Shift: “Bangladesh First” approach enables pragmatic, interest-based ties; economic interdependence with India remains strong.
- Nepal Transition: Generational political change opens scope for relations based on equality, sovereignty, and mutual respect.
- Sri Lanka Reset: Post-crisis leadership is fostering pragmatic, economy-driven engagement, reducing historical mistrust with India.
Need for Rebooting Neighbourhood Policy
- Political Engagement: Work with new governments in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to build pragmatic partnerships. E.g., Bangladesh’s recent elections strengthened India-Bangladesh trade ties.
- Connectivity Boost: Strengthen transport, energy, and digital links for mutual benefits. E.g., India–Nepal cross-border railway and BBIN energy projects.
- Partnership Mindset: Move from patronage to mutual respect, shared growth, and visible outcomes. E.g., India-Sri Lanka cooperation on Palk Strait fisheries and trade facilitation.
Key Structural Challenges
- Protectionist Approach: India’s trade policy remains inward-looking, with tariffs & non-tariff barriers that limit regional integration. E.g., India–Bangladesh trade ~$13 billion remains far below potential.
- Poor Connectivity: Weak infrastructure and border delays reduce the benefits of proximity. E.g., despite a 4,096-km border, logistics bottlenecks persist along India–Bangladesh trade routes.
- Market Access Gap: India runs trade surpluses but restricts imports, creating an imbalance. E.g., India exports ~$11B to Bangladesh but imports only ~$2B.
- Outdated Mindset: Patronage-based approach fuels resentment and strategic drift. E.g., growing Chinese investments and BRI projects in Sri Lanka and Nepal.
- Trade Reforms: Reduce barriers and expand market access to ensure balanced regional trade. E.g., increasing imports from Bangladesh.
- Equal Partnership: Replace patronage with mutual respect and interest-based engagement. E.g., a new approach towards Nepal’s leadership.
- Regional Value Chains: Build cross-border production networks for shared growth. E.g., textile and energy cooperation in South Asia.
- Energy Cooperation: Enhance regional energy security through supply and grid integration. E.g., India–Bhutan hydropower projects.
India’s neighbourhood policy must shift from patronage to partnership, turning regional flux into shared growth. Strategic engagement, connectivity, and trade reforms can make India the anchor of a prosperous South Asia.
Reference: The Indian Express
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 612
Q. India’s Neighbourhood First Policy requires a shift from reactive diplomacy to proactive regionalism. Analyse the limitations of the current approach and recommend measures for a more resilient and cooperative neighbourhood framework. (250 Words) (15 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write a brief introduction about India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Body: Write the need to shift the neighbourhood first policy from reactive diplomacy to proactive regionalism, highlighting limitations of the current approach and recommending measures for a more resilient and cooperative neighbourhood framework.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on proactive regionalism to strengthen India & foster a stable, prosperous South Asia.
