Neighbourhood First Policy
- Aim: The “Neighbourhood First” policy aims to foster stability and prosperity through mutually beneficial, people-oriented regional frameworks.
- Focus Point
- Economic Cooperation: Engaging in the BBIN energy development grouping, including motor vehicles, waterpower management, and inter-grid connection. For example, India extended financial credit to Sri Lanka during the financial crisis.
- Strategic Location Advantage: Leveraging India’s central position in South Asia and the Western Indian Ocean.
- Balancing Policy Approach: Formulating foreign policy based on balancing and domestic factors. For example: India’s foreign policy is influenced by how countries like Pakistan and China handle their relationships with superpowers.
- Regional Diplomacy and Discourse: Energizing regional diplomacy by connecting with nearby countries. India’s efforts to make the functioning of SAARC viable
- Bilateral Issue Resolution: Emphasizing mutual agreements to resolve bilateral concerns. For example – India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to implement the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
- Connectivity and Cooperation: Sign MOUs with SAARC members to enhance regional connectivity.
- Disaster Management and Humanitarian Aid: Providing disaster response cooperation, resource management, and aid. For example – Operation Devi Shakti was an operation carried out by the Indian Armed forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals stuck in Afghanistan after the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government.
- Military and Defence Cooperation: Strengthening regional security through military cooperation. Examples: Joint exercises like Surya Kiran with Nepal and Sampriti with Bangladesh
- Technological Collaboration: Prioritizing technological cooperation in the region. Example: Construction of a specialized SAARC satellite to facilitate technology