The story of India and its neighbourhood is a unique narrative in the annals of world history. India’s neighbourhood policy has a history from Kautilya’s Arthashastra to the present. In the modern-day, New Delhi’s neighbourhood policy has revolved around its national security and economic development encouraged by its historical strategic culture, prompted by its geopolitical location and furthered by the desire to become a global power.
India is surrounded by countries varying in geographical and demographic size, strength, etc., including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
India gained its independence at an important juncture on August 15, 1947. The world was divided into two antagonistic groups: Soviet and United States Block. During this time under Nehru, the newly independent India avoided aligning with any superpower. Panchsheel and Non-alignment were the principal foreign policies. A remarkable shift happen in 1997 under the Prime Ministership of Inder Kumar Gujral, the Gujral Doctrine emphasised more friendly and cordial relations with neighbours unlike the interventionist approach of his predecessor Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.
Marked by a history of political divisions, economic differences, and geostrategic divergences, the Indian subcontinent remains deeply divided, with exceptionally low levels of integration. Recognising this within South Asia, the Modi government framed a Neighbourhood First Policy to signal India’s commitment to regional connectivity. From a policy of strategic insulation and neglect during much of the cold war, and a reluctant embrace of regionalism thereafter, India’s regional policy has now shifted irreversibly towards strengthening cross-border relations.
And Modi began his neighbourhood First Policy by visiting smaller countries like Bhutan and Nepal. Pre-existing structural constraints like colonial legacies and disputed borders, involvements of external powers like China and the USA, domestic politics, underdevelopment and huge poverty have been major challenges to Indian foreign policy. In the current context, India is facing three major challenges to its ‘neighbourhood policy’. First being the Covid-19 pandemic, second Chinese and Pakistani aggression on the borders, and final competition of influence in South Asia.
Despite many challenges, India is not doing bad in her neighbourhood first policy. India held a special virtual summit with eight SAARC nations to provide a Covid-19 package. The Indian military undertook several operations for providing essential medicines and equipment to these countries.
During the pandemic, the Modi government was virtually in constant touch with neighbouring countries. On an infrastructure level, the Indian government started several projects like railway lines to Nepal and Bangladesh, ferry services to the Maldives, and very recently, India got a deal to build an oil tanker in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
‘The true test of foreign policy is on handling the neighbourhood,’ said Manmohan Singh.
Historically, India has had social and cultural relations with its neighbour. With the emergence of China, India is facing the imminent threat of losing influence on its neighbour. At present, with the already existing structural challenges, India is facing three imminent problems: Covid-19, border tensions and competition for influence in South Asia.
But still, India is doing good while dealing with its neighbours. PM Modi said, ‘A nation’s destiny is linked to its neighbourhood’. And it holds for India as well.
About the author: Chhotelal Kumar has completed their MA in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.