Syllabus: GS 2 – India and its Neighborhood- Relations, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Present-day India grapples with formidable challenges in its relationships with neighboring countries, further compounded by the emergence of a newfound superpower in its vicinity—an unprecedented situation in its historical trajectory.
Source: The Hindu | Editorial dated 08- December 2023
India and India’s Neighborhood
- India, as a vast nation with an extensive border, has a historical legacy of fostering welcoming and amicable relations with its neighboring countries.
- Geographically proximate nations include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal, forming an integral part of India’s regional dynamics.
- These neighboring nations are collectively affiliated with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), emphasizing a shared regional identity.
- Guided by the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India is steadfast in cultivating friendly and mutually advantageous ties with all its neighbors.
- India actively assumes the role of a development partner, participating in numerous collaborative projects across these neighboring countries.
- The ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy underscores the creation of people-centric, mutually beneficial regional frameworks aimed at fostering stability and prosperity.
- India’s engagement strategy employs a consultative, non-reciprocal, and outcome-oriented approach, emphasizing tangible benefits such as enhanced connectivity, improved infrastructure, robust development cooperation, and heightened security measures.
- The overarching goal is to nurture broader people-to-people contacts, facilitating a comprehensive and harmonious relationship with its neighboring nations.
India’s Neighborhood Equation
- India and Afghanistan:
- Strong diplomatic, commercial, and cultural ties.
- Indian aid programs focus on infrastructure, capacity building, and food security.
- Improved aviation connectivity, with daily flights transporting Afghan medical tourists to India.
- India’s role in the construction of the Afghan parliament in 2015 and gifting Mi-25 Attack helicopters in 2016.
- In August 2021, Afghanistan witnessed a takeover by the Taliban following President Joe Biden’s directive to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country.
- India maintains a “zero-tolerance policy” towards terrorism and emphasized the need for stronger UN involvement in achieving peace in Afghanistan.
- India and Bangladesh:
- Historic strain due to India’s support for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
- Resolved issues through agreements, including the exchange of land enclaves.
- Bangladesh provides India with a transit route to the North-East states.
- Ongoing concerns about border security, addressed through diplomatic dialogue.
- India and China:
- Long-standing relationship with periodic tensions.
- Improved ties since 1988, despite the 1962 Sino-Indian War and ongoing border conflicts.
- Over the course of almost 75 years, the relationship between India and China has experienced fluctuations marked by periods of conflict and cooperation.
- Various provocations by China, such as the naming of locations in Arunachal Pradesh, have contributed to the strain in their bilateral ties.
- Growing economic and cultural links have contributed to diplomatic normalization to some extent.
- India and Pakistan:
- Historical, cultural, and ethnic ties overshadowed by adversarial relations.
- Persistent tensions, particularly concerning the Kashmir issue.
- Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 strained relations.
- Confidence-building measures (CBMs) and peace processes initiated but challenges remain.
- India and Nepal:
- India and Nepal share profound ties in geography, history, culture, and economics.
- An open border and unrestricted people movement highlight their close proximity.
- The Roti-BetikaRishta strengthens familial bonds and social integration.
- The foundation of the unique relationship between India and Nepal lies in the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed in 1950
- India and Nepal have initiated diverse connectivity programs to strengthen people-to-people ties and drive economic growth and development.
- India and Bhutan:
- Traditionally, India and Bhutan share a close relationship, rooted in culture and common interests.
- India’s influence extends to Bhutan’s foreign policy, defense, and commerce.
- Indian assistance to Bhutan encompasses defense, infrastructure, and communication, safeguarding Bhutan’s sovereignty..
- India and Myanmar:
- Myanmar is viewed by India as a crucial partner in regional peace and security efforts.
- The Treaty of Friendship was signed between India and Myanmar in 1951.
- India stands as one of Myanmar’s major trading partners with a longstanding economic relationship.
- Indian investments in Myanmar span diverse sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
- India and Sree Lanka:
- India and Sri Lanka, both located in the Indian Ocean region, share deep-rooted cultural, religious, and trade connections dating back to ancient times.
- The two nations have a historical relationship, with strong cultural ties, evidenced by many Sri Lankans tracing their heritage to India.
- The 1987 India-Sri Lanka Agreement, signed during the Tamil conflict, aimed to implement the 13th amendment and deployed the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka.
- The assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 influenced India’s approach to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka holds strategic importance for India in its Indian Ocean strategy.
- India and Maldives:
- India and Maldives boast ancient ties with shared ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial connections.
- India was the first in establishing diplomatic relations with Maldives, in Male in 1972.
- In 2018, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s victory in the presidential elections marked a shift towards an India-First Policy.
- India was invited to undertake various infrastructure projects, including the significant $500 million Greater Male connectivity project.
- Maldives’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean intersects crucial trade routes.
India’s Neighborhood First Policy: Salient Features
- Immediate Neighbour Priority:
- Focus on improving relations with immediate neighbours.
- Recognize the importance of peace and tranquillity in South Asia for development.
- Vigorous Regional Diplomacy:
- Engage in vigorous regional diplomacy.
- Build political connectivity through dialogue with neighbouring nations.
- Initiatives like inviting SAARC heads of government to the Prime Minister’s oath-taking ceremony in 2014.
- Bilateral Issue Resolution:
- Prioritize resolution of bilateral issues through mutual agreements.
- Example: Operationalizing the historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh.
- Economic Cooperation:
- Enhance trade ties with neighbouring countries.
- Invest in SAARC for regional development.
- Example: BBIN grouping for energy development and inter-grid connectivity.
- Technical Cooperation:
- Emphasize technical cooperation.
- Develop dedicated SAARC satellite for sharing technology benefits like tele-medicine and e-learning.
- Disaster Management Collaboration:
- Offer cooperation on disaster response, resource management, weather forecasting, and communication.
- Provide assistance to neighbours in times of disasters, such as the support to Nepal after the 2016 earthquake.
Major Challenges in India’s Neighbourhood Realtions
- Geopolitical Challenges in South Asia:
- Rise of politically anti-India regimes, as seen in the Maldives.
- Potential ideological opposition in Dhaka, particularly with upcoming elections.
- Structural dilemma arising from Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
- Challenges Amid Growing Chinese Influence:
- Lack of Clarity in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Impediments in Alliance Building Due to Increased Chinese Pressure.
- China’s Expanding Influence in the Indo-Pacific Region and Its Impact on India’s Maritime Interests.
- Suspicion Regarding China’s Policies, Particularly in Infrastructure Projects.
- Concerns Over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Its Passage Through POK.
- Managing Diplomacy with Pakistan:
- Ongoing Diplomatic and Security Challenges in India-Pakistan Relations.
- Struggles in Dealing with a State Utilizing Terrorism as a Tool.
- Addressing the Afghan Challenge:
- Diplomatic Challenges Amidst Internal Fragility and External Threats in Afghanistan.
- Active Indian Diplomacy in International Efforts to Stabilize the Country.
- Perception Challenges and Economic Influence:
- Rooted Anti-Indian Sentiments Stemming from Perceived Attitudes.
- Impact of Policies like Demonetization on Neighboring Countries.
- Perceived Notions of India’s Economic Influence and Their Contribution to Regional Tensions.
- Concerns Over Domestic Affairs and Sovereignty:
- Accusations of Indian Interference in Neighboring Countries.
- Allegations of Sovereignty Violation and Hindrances in Free Transit and Trade.
- Domestic Policy Dynamics and External Relations:
- Impact of India’s Domestic Policies on Relations with Bangladesh.
- Challenges in Navigating Relations with Muslim-Majority Countries.
- Shifts in Global Alignments:
- India’s Evolving Ties with the West and Participation in the Quad.
- Diverging Connections with Sri Lanka Amid Criticisms on Human Rights and Freedoms.
Causes Behind Regional Imbalances:
- Diminished presence of the United States in South Asia.
- Washington’s absence creates a geopolitical vacuum.
- Aggressive rise of China filling the power vacuum.
- China emerges as a powerful alternative for smaller states in the region.
- Region’s inclination towards a power meeting material need, favoring China.
- Economic limitations limit India’s ability to cater to material needs.
- China’s role as a norms-free alternative in the region.
- Beijing offers a non-normative alternative, altering regional dynamics.
- Shift from India-centric to a norms-free geopolitical zone in South Asia.
- Changing dynamics challenge India’s traditional influence.
Way Forward for India’s Regional Strategy:
- Acknowledge Changed Dynamics:
- Recognize the fundamental shift in the balance of power in South Asia.
- Accept that the era of Indian primacy in the region has ended.
- Realistic Framing:
- Adopt a realistic and pragmatic approach acknowledging China’s serious contender status.
- Embrace the reality of ‘Southern Asia’ where India shares influence with China.
- External Actors Engagement:
- Proactively involve friendly external actors in the region.
- Mitigate the risk of the region becoming Sino-centric through collaboration.
- Guiding Principles:
- Base the neighborhood policy on the principles of the Gujral Doctrine.
- Prioritize the quality of relations with neighbors, integral to India’s stature and strength.
- Regional Growth Focus:
- Ensure regional growth is intertwined with India’s stature and strength.
- Strive for collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring countries.
- Flexible Diplomacy:
- Engage multiple actors within neighboring countries.
- Focus on lessening anti-India sentiments rather than isolating elements.
- Inclusive Diplomacy:
- Formulate diplomatic strategies beyond dealing only with those in power.
- Foster engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in neighboring nations.
- Diplomatic Workforce Strengthening:
- Address the glaring shortage of diplomats to implement foreign policy.
- Recognize the importance of a robust diplomatic workforce for India’s expanding global role.
- Integrating Economic and Foreign Policy:
- Face the challenge of integrating regional economic and foreign policy.
- Resist compromising bilateral relationships for short-term economic gains.
- Enhanced Regional Connectivity:
- Pursue regional connectivity with greater vigor.
- Address security concerns through cost-effective, efficient, and reliable technological measures.
Reference:
The Hindu
PRS Legislative Research
Practice Question: Discuss the salient features of India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and its significance in promoting regional stability and development.