#Video8 | India and Neighbourhood First policy | Mains Special 2024 | International Relations

Summary

The script discusses India's foreign policy with its neighbors, emphasizing the importance of regional relationships. It highlights historical approaches like Nehru's Panchsheel and Modi's Sagarmala project, focusing on connectivity and economic ties. Despite efforts, challenges persist due to asymmetry, unresolved conflicts, and external influences. The script questions the effectiveness of 'neighborhood first' policy, suggesting a need for a holistic approach beyond state-centric strategies and towards a collective South Asian identity.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The effectiveness of a country's foreign policy is often measured by its relationship with neighboring countries due to their proximity and shared interests.
• 🔥 South Asia is currently facing significant challenges, and India's foreign policy is heavily focused on addressing issues within its neighborhood.
• 🏛 Historically, India has not had a 'golden age' of engagement with its neighbors, despite various prime ministers prioritizing the neighborhood in their policies.
• 🌐 The concept of South Asia as a region is relatively new and has not fully integrated into the collective consciousness of the political community in the area.
• 📉 India's global recognition as a leader of the global South contrasts with its lack of recognition as a leader in South Asia.
• 🤝 India's foreign policy towards its neighbors has evolved through different approaches, including Panchsheel, the Gujral Doctrine, and the Sagarmala project under Prime Minister Modi.
• 🚧 India has attempted to enhance connectivity and economic ties with its neighbors through initiatives like the High Impact Community Development Programs (HICDP) and lines of credit.
• 🚫 Structural factors such as partition, unresolved border and water disputes, and the involvement of major powers have complicated India's neighborhood relations.
• 🏛 India has established institutions like the South Asian University but has struggled to make them effective, indicating a lack of enthusiasm or viability.
• 🔄 India's approach to its neighbors has been state-centric, focusing on bilateral relations rather than multilateral platforms, which may limit the development of a collective South Asian identity.
• 🌐 The concept of 'neighborhood first' needs to be reimagined to move beyond India's centrality and embrace a broader, more inclusive approach to regional cooperation.

Q & A

Why is the relationship with neighbors considered a good test for a country's foreign policy?

The relationship with neighbors is a good test for a country's foreign policy because of their proximity, which directly impacts security threats and prosperity. Neighbors are the first point of contact, and their relationship can also be an extension of domestic policy.

What is the current state of South Asia according to the script?

The script suggests that South Asia is currently in a state of turmoil, with India facing significant challenges in its foreign policy, particularly in its neighborhood.

Has there ever been a 'golden time' of India's engagement with its neighbors?

The script indicates that there has never been a 'golden time' of India's engagement with its neighbors, as every prime minister has faced challenges, and the rhetoric of 'neighborhood first' has not always been reflected in reality.

What is the significance of the term 'South Asia' in the context of the script?

The term 'South Asia' is relatively new and was formalized through the idea of a regional organization by the former president of Bangladesh, Z Rahman. It is suggested that the concept of South Asia is not deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of the region's political community.

What are the common problems India faces when dealing with its neighbors?

The script highlights asymmetry in size and power as a common problem. India's neighbors often perceive its size as a threat, which India has tried to address through various foreign policy doctrines.

What was the essence of Pandit Nehru's 'Panchsheel' doctrine in relation to India's neighbors?

The essence of 'Panchsheel' was mutual respect, which India aimed to convey to its smaller neighbors to alleviate their apprehensions about India's size and influence.

What is the 'Gujral Doctrine' and how does it relate to India's approach to its neighbors?

The 'Gujral Doctrine' emphasized non-reciprocity in India's relationships with its neighbors, acknowledging the power and size differences, and showing that India would not demand reciprocity.

What actions has the Indian government taken to assert the 'Neighborhood First' policy under Prime Minister Modi?

The Indian government has focused on enhancing connectivity, both physical and economic, and people-to-people exchanges. It has also extended lines of credit and initiated high-impact community development programs.

What are the structural factors that have contributed to the failure of India's neighborhood policy?

Structural factors include the partition's lasting impact, unresolved border and water issues, problematic domestic politics in neighboring countries, and the involvement of major powers in the region.

Why has the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) not been effective in fostering a collective South Asian identity?

The script suggests that India has not shown enthusiasm for SAARC, and the last summit was in 2014. The lack of regular engagement and the absence of a collective consciousness have hindered its effectiveness.

How does India's state-centric approach affect its neighborhood policy?

India's state-centric approach has led to a focus on bilateral relations rather than multilateral engagement, which is necessary for a 'neighborhood first' policy. It has also resulted in neglecting various constituencies within neighboring countries.

What is the script's suggestion for a new approach to India's neighborhood policy?

The script suggests that India needs a holistic understanding of its neighborhood policy, moving beyond traditional mindsets and expanding the concept of 'neighborhood first' to include a free and open Indo-Pacific strategy.