India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy | UPSC Concept

What is India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy?

India's Neighbourhood First Policy is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, prioritizing the strengthening of relations with its immediate neighbours. It emphasizes enhancing connectivity, promoting trade, fostering people-to-people ties, and ensuring regional peace and security through a proactive, benevolent, and non-reciprocal approach.

Historical Background

While India has always engaged with its neighbours, the 'Neighbourhood First' policy was formally articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. It builds upon previous doctrines like the Gujral Doctrine (1996), which advocated for non-reciprocity in relations with smaller neighbours, but with a more comprehensive and proactive engagement strategy.

Key Points

10 points

1.
Prioritizing bilateral relations with all immediate neighbours (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar).
2.
Focus on enhancing connectivity across various modes: road, rail, waterways, digital, and energy grids.
3.
Promoting economic cooperation, increased trade, and investment to foster mutual prosperity.
4.
Strengthening people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges to build goodwill and understanding.
5.
Cooperation on security issues, including counter-terrorism, maritime security, and disaster management.
6.
Providing development assistance, capacity building, and humanitarian aid to neighbours.
7.
Respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries and adhering to non-interference in internal affairs.
8.
Addressing shared challenges such as climate change, poverty, and food security.
9.
Emphasis on sub-regional cooperation initiatives like BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal).
10.
Utilizing multilateral forums like BIMSTEC to foster regional collaboration, especially when SAARC faces challenges.

Visual Insights

India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy: Pillars & Implementation

This mind map breaks down India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, illustrating its core principles, key pillars of engagement, and the mechanisms through which it is implemented, along with associated challenges.

India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy

●Core Principles
●Key Pillars of Engagement
●Implementation Mechanisms
●Challenges & Criticisms

Recent Developments

5 developments

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India's active role in providing humanitarian and economic aid during crises, such as Sri Lanka's economic crisis and Nepal earthquake.

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Implementation of major connectivity projects, including the Maitri Setu bridge with Bangladesh and various rail links.

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Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vaccines to neighbouring countries.

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Challenges posed by China's growing economic and strategic influence in the region.

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Focus on maritime security and cooperation with Indian Ocean littoral states under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.

Related Concepts

Bilateral Relations (India-Maldives)Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)Public Diplomacy and Soft Power Geopolitics and Strategic Competition in South Asia/Indo-Pacific India-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations Bilateral Relations: India-Sri Lanka Debt Restructuring Economic Diplomacy / Foreign Aid Free and Fair Elections / Electoral Process Regional Stability International Sanctions / Role of External Actors in Domestic Politics

Source Topic

India-Maldives Diplomatic Row Escalates Over Derogatory Remarks

International Relations

UPSC Relevance

Extremely important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations). Frequently asked in Mains regarding India's foreign policy objectives, challenges, and specific relations with neighbouring countries. Relevant for Prelims on regional initiatives, bilateral agreements, and India's strategic interests.