The Neighbourhood First Policy was introduced in 2008 to enhance ties with key neighboring countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
What is the ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy? 🎯
- Objective: Foster strong, cooperative relationships with neighbouring countries.
- Principles:
- Samman (Respect)
- Samvad (Dialogue)
- Shanti (Peace)
- Samriddhi (Prosperity)
- Focus Areas:
- Physical, Digital, and People-to-People Connectivity
- Mutually Beneficial Development Assistance
- Regional Stability and Prosperity
Key Initiatives & Developments 🚀
1. Afghanistan 🇦🇫
- Humanitarian Assistance:
- 50,000 MT of wheat, 40,000 litres of Malathion (pesticide), 300 tons of medical aid, and 28 tons of earthquake relief aid.
- Partnered with UNODC to provide 11,000 units of female hygiene kits, baby food, and medical aid.
- Diplomatic Engagement:
- Foreign Secretary met Amir Khan Muttaqi (Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan) in Dubai (Jan 2025).
2. Bangladesh 🇧🇩
- Bilateral Interactions:
- PM Modi and Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus held a telephonic conversation (Aug 2024).
- Prof. Yunus participated in the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (Aug 2024).
- Development Projects:
- Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link: Enhancing cross-border connectivity.
- Maitri Dwar: New Passenger Terminal Building at Petrapole ICP (Oct 2024).
- Trilateral Power Sale Agreement: Nepal to Bangladesh via India (40MW, Oct 2024).
3. Bhutan 🇧🇹
- High-Level Exchanges:
- King of Bhutan visited India (Dec 2024 & Feb 2025).
- Development Partnership:
- Doubled support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan to Rs 10,000 crores.
- Hydroelectric Projects: Punatsangchhu-I (1200 MW) & Punatsangchhu-II (1020 MW).
- Immigration Check Post: Darranga (Assam)/Samdrup Jongkhar (Bhutan) inaugurated.
4. Maldives 🇲🇻
- Flagship Projects:
- Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP): Connecting four islands.
- Redevelopment of Gan & Hanimaadhoo Airports.
- 700 Social Housing Units handed over (Oct 2024).
- Financial & Digital Cooperation:
- RuPay Card launched in Maldives.
- MoU for Local Currency Transactions signed (Nov 2024).
- UPI Payments Infrastructure being operationalized.
5. Myanmar 🇲🇲
- Connectivity Projects:
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP).
- India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway.
- Humanitarian & Development Assistance:
- High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs): Building roads, schools, and health centres.
6. Nepal 🇳🇵
- Development Cooperation:
- High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs): Hospitals, schools, and rural electrification.
- Humanitarian Aid: 25 tonnes of supplies for flood-affected families (Oct 2024).
- Trilateral Power Transaction: Nepal to Bangladesh via India (40MW, Nov 2024).
- International Solar Alliance: Nepal became the 101st member (Sep 2024).
7. Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
- State Visit by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Dec 2024):
- Joint Statement: ‘Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’.
- Financial Assistance:
- USD 14.9 million for signaling project in Maho-Anuradhapura section.
- USD 61.5 million to modernize Kankesanthurai port.
- Gift of 22 Diesel Locomotives to Sri Lankan Railways.
- Housing Projects:
- 48 houses under Model Village Housing Project.
- 106 houses under Phase III of Indian Housing Project.
India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, focusing on mutual respect, dialogue, peace, and prosperity. Through development assistance, infrastructure projects, and humanitarian aid, India is strengthening ties with its neighbours, fostering regional stability and growth.
Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by P.P. Chaudhary, Recommendations
Key Observations & Recommendations
1. Terrorism & Illegal Migration
- India has faced security threats from its neighbors for over three decades.
- Illegal migration, arms, and drug smuggling require better border security.
- Recommended:
- Monitor demographic changes in border areas.
- Coordination between Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and state governments.
2. Relations with China & Pakistan
- Pakistan’s role in terrorism is a major concern.
- Recommended:
- Engage regional/multilateral bodies to highlight Pakistan’s role in terrorism.
- Create a joint counterterrorism platform under the Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Explore economic ties with Pakistan.
3. Border Infrastructure Development
- Deficiency in border infrastructure affects regional stability.
- Recommended:
- Improve connectivity infrastructure (roads, railways, waterways, ports).
- Explore regional development funds for border projects.
4. Monitoring India’s Line of Credit (LOC) Projects
- India’s LOC lending to neighbors grew from $3.3 billion (2014) to $14.7 billion (2020).
- 50% of India’s global soft lending is to its neighbors.
- Recommended:
- Regular monitoring for timely completion.
- Strengthen oversight mechanisms (Joint Project Monitoring Committees).
5. Defence & Maritime Security
- India conducts joint military exercises with Maldives, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- Recommended:
- Strengthen maritime domain awareness in India’s extended neighborhood.
6. Development in North-East Region
- Act East Policy focuses on Asia-Pacific engagement.
- The North-Eastern region shares borders with multiple neighbors.
- Recommended:
- Synergy between Neighbourhood First & Act East Policy to boost connectivity, economy, and security.
7. Tourism Promotion
- India is Maldives’ largest tourist source since 2020.
- Bangladeshi medical tourists & Indian religious tourists to Nepal contribute to regional tourism.
- Recommended:
- Invest in tourism, including medical tourism under Neighbourhood First Policy.
8. Multilateral Engagement
- India works through SAARC & BIMSTEC to strengthen regional ties.
- Recommended:
- Strengthen institutional mechanisms for better policy impact.
- Periodic review of bilateral & multilateral relationships.
