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THE CONTEXT: The presence of leaders from South Asia and the Indian Ocean at the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India for the third time underlines Delhi’s continuing commitment to the “neighborhood first” policy. It also represents the stakes India’s neighbors have in strong and stable ties with this country. Familiarity with Modi gives world leaders comfort and confidence in engaging India.
THE ISSUES:
- Commitment to the “Neighbourhood First” Policy: The presence of leaders from South Asia and the Indian Ocean at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony underscores India’s ongoing commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy. This policy aims to foster strong and stable ties with neighboring countries, emphasizing regional interdependence and cooperation. The attendance of these leaders signifies the importance they place on their relationship with India and the mutual benefits of maintaining close ties.
- Challenges in Normalizing Ties with Pakistan: Despite the presence of many regional leaders, the absence of Pakistan’s leadership highlights the ongoing difficulties in normalizing relations between India and Pakistan. Although there have been back-channel talks and a ceasefire agreement in February 2021, progress has been stalled due to a lack of consensus within Pakistan. This remains a significant challenge for India’s foreign policy in the region.
- Managing Relations with China: India faces a complex challenge in managing its relationship with China. The power asymmetry between the two countries, coupled with recent border tensions, complicates bilateral ties. The upcoming meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping at a regional summit presents an opportunity for dialogue, but the Chinese media’s reaction to Modi’s reduced majority in the Lok Sabha suggests that Beijing may perceive this as a sign of India’s weakened position.
- Deepening Ties with the West: India has opportunities to deepen its ties with Western countries, driven by both geo-economic and geopolitical factors. The West views India’s growing market and strategic importance in rebalancing Asia as critical. However, concerns over India’s democratic backsliding have previously cast a shadow over these relationships. The resurgence of competitive domestic politics in India may alleviate some of these concerns, potentially accelerating security and economic cooperation with Western nations and their Asian allies.
- Navigating Global Conflicts and Economic Restructuring: India must navigate an increasingly complex global landscape marked by intensifying conflicts among major powers and the restructuring of the global economic order. Modi’s credibility and the goodwill India commands on the global stage will be crucial in addressing these challenges. India’s ability to maintain stability and foster cooperation in its neighborhood will be essential for its broader foreign policy objectives.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Strengthening Regional Economic Integration: Enhance economic cooperation and connectivity with neighboring countries through initiatives like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Economic integration can create mutual dependencies that promote stability and peace. According to Aryal and Bharti, India’s strategy towards its neighbors prioritizes trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contact, which are essential for regional peace and cooperation.
- Reviving Bilateral Dialogues with Pakistan: Utilize backchannel diplomacy to resume and sustain dialogues with Pakistan, focusing on incremental steps to ease bilateral tensions, such as the 2021 ceasefire agreement. Backchannel diplomacy has been effective in the past for India-Pakistan relations. Jacob highlights that such negotiations, conducted discreetly, can help manage sensitive issues and prevent conflicts from escalating.
- Managing China Relations through Strategic Engagement: Engage China through multilateral forums and bilateral meetings to address border disputes and enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as trade and climate change. Strategic engagement with China is crucial given the power asymmetry and ongoing border tensions. Menon and Gokhale emphasize the need for India to balance its defensive measures with diplomatic efforts to manage the relationship with China.
- Deepening Ties with the West: Strengthen strategic and economic partnerships with Western countries, leveraging India’s democratic credentials and growing market potential to counterbalance China’s influence in the region. India’s alignment with the West is driven by shared democratic values and strategic interests. The Chatham House report suggests that despite concerns over democratic backsliding, the West views India as a key partner in maintaining a rules-based global order.
- Promoting Good Governance and Addressing Democratic Concerns: Address concerns about democratic backsliding by promoting transparency, strengthening institutions, and ensuring the protection of civil liberties to maintain India’s global image as a stable democracy. Democratic backsliding can undermine India’s international standing and strategic partnerships. The Democracy Journal highlights that maintaining robust democratic practices is essential for India’s credibility and its strategic partnerships with the West.
THE CONCLUSION:
Although geo-economic (India’s growing market) and geopolitical factors (rebalancing Asia) were driving India and the West closer to each other over the last decade, widespread concerns in America and Europe over India’s so-called democratic backsliding had cast a shadow over the deepening strategic partnership. Those Western concerns would arguably recede amidst the revival of competitive domestic politics and accelerate security and economic cooperation between India on the one hand, and the West and its Asian allies on the other.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka the light of the preceding statement. 2022
Q.2 China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. 2017
Q.3 Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve its relationship with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. 2015
Q.4 What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. 2013
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Discuss the significance of the “neighborhood first” policy in India’s foreign relations, particularly in the context of a new coalition government assuming power. How does this policy impact India’s ties with its immediate neighbors and major global powers?
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