What is the relevance of India’s Neighbourhood Policy in today's geopolitical landscape ?
Geographically, the neighborhood is a country’s first point of diplomacy and key to growth. India’s relationship with its neighbouring countries is crucial for its economy, social and geopolitical growth.
1.Geostrategic interests:
- Regional leadership: Cooperation from neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that has become a pivotal zone of global strategic competition would reinforce India's central position in South Asia.
- Countering China: Cooperation with neighbours will help India counter Chinese influence and meet the aspiration of becoming a ‘net security provider’ in the IOR.
- Support in multilateral forum: Cooperation with its neighbouring partners is critical for India’s leadership as a representative of Global South in various multilateral fora like UNSC, WTO, IMF, etc.
» Cooperation with them at multilateral fora has introduced a regional/sub-regional dimension to bilateral relations and led to a stronger understanding of the region.
- Territorial integrity: Separatist groups may find refuge across borders. India needs neighbours who respect her sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not allow any insurgent group. For example, » Myanmar is seen as a key partner in the fight to end insurgency in India's North-Eastern states.
- Maritime Security: Maritime domain enables a ready flow of threats and challenges, such as the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. » Cooperation with neighbouring countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar will help India effective policing of its waters.
- Energy security: India’s northern neighbours Nepal and Bhutan-have a huge hydro-power potential. Also, cooperation with neighbours in the Indian Ocean is critical to prevent disruption in import of oil and gases. » More than 80% of India's oil and over 50% of gas is sourced from various parts of the world that travels over the sea.
- Bridging development deficit in the North East: Active outreach to neighbouring countries would also be helpful in the development of India’s North Eastern states. For example » Bangladesh has approved the use of its Chattogram and Mongla ports by India for transit and trans-shipment of cargo to its North-East states. » North East could also be connected to Southeast Asia for trade and economic cooperation through Myanmar (the only ASEAN country sharing a land border with India).
4.Soft power diplomacy: India’s rich cultural and historical ties with its neighbours help promote its diverse cultural values and soft power influence in the region.
>>For instance, the prevalence of Buddhism in India and Southeast Asia acts as a tool to strengthen people-to-people ties and diplomatic relations.
