HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEIGHBOURS

India’s neighborhood policy has always been motivated by national security, its economic
development, geopolitical location of India and is encouraged by the desire of India to become a
global power. India always had active participation in international affairs and shared close
relationships with great powers. This played a key role in development of foreign policy of India.
The geo strategic location of New Delhi encourages it to have unique diplomatic relations with
India’s neighbors

India’s neighborhood consists of Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal,

Sri Lanka, China and Myanmar. Middle East and Central Asia forms India’s extended
neighborhood as India shares history and strategic relations with them. India’s neighbourhood
policy reflects the political, economic and socio-cultural relations and threats to national security
of India from its neighbours.
Problems like under developed economies, illegal immigration trafficking of humans, animals
and narcotics, proliferation of arms, border dispute and increasing nuclear tests caused India to
rethink it’s policy.

● India’s neighbourhood policy in Pre-British and British Period

It was common belief that India lacked a tradition of strategic culture and its leaders in ancient
times did not formulate strategic policies for national security and foreign policy. However
evidence of strategic policies governing the neighbourhood relations between the kingdoms in
ancient period can be found in the holy book Mahabharata. In Mahabharata, King Bhishma
while teaching the pandavas the Rajdharma and Dandaniti taught them that there are no
permanent enemies or permanent friends of a king, only circumstances make someone a king’s
friend or a foe. The same knowledge was given to Arjuna by Krishna in the battlefield of
Kurukshetra.
Elaborate documentation of comprehensive study of strategic neighbourhood policy and policy
for safeguarding the national security of the kingdom can also be found in Kautilya’s
Arthashastra. Kautilya was the Prime minister in King Chandragupta Maurya’s Kingdom. In
Arthashastra, Kautilya suggested building multiple military forts all around the kingdom and
forming a hierarchical military regime.
Kautilya elucidated 3 key approaches to defend a kingdom:
➢ If a king is strong he must lead.
➢ If a king is weak he must make alliances.
➢ If the king is neither weak nor strong then he must remain neutral.

India for a long period of time was divided into several kingdoms and it prevented it from
becoming one nation. Since India was not a single nation, it was prone to invasions. This
disadvantage of India was exploited by the Mughals and then by the Britishers. Mughals faced a
lot of resistance from the external powers around the kingdoms but the Britishers were able to
defeat the kingdoms of India using the policy of ‘divide and rule’. Using this policy Britishers
brought the whole of India under one rule. In order to prevent invasion by west Asian, Chinese
and Russians, Britishers formulated neighbourhood policy by which they could use India’s
neighbouring countries as buffer states. They devised several strategies which are reflected in the
economic, political and socio cultural life and in foreign policies and in policies for national
security. The Britishers not only united the scattered political units but also developed
communication and transportation networks. They developed the education system and abolished
detrimental cultural and political practices. Even though the britishers drained India’s natural
resources they were the first to formally lay down neighbor policy of India.

● India’s neighbourhood policy from 1947 to 1998

India obtained its independence on 15th August, 1947. At that time the world was divided into
two military zones led by the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Pt. Jawaharlal
Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, took a strategic decision of not becoming a
part of either of the groups. He had great future plans for India which included various important
roles to be played by India in world affairs and envisioned strategic neighbourhood policy
necessary for the security and prosperity of India. According to Nehru, one of the notable
outcomes of European dominance over Asia was the isolation of the Asian countries from one
another. Before British rule India always had contact with neighbouring nations but under 200
years of British rule, India was completely isolated from the rest of Asia.

The two most important strategies which Nehru gave for defence and prosperity of India were
‘Panchsheel’ and ‘Non Alignment’. Non alignment doesn't mean practising isolation from big
powers but rather ensuring best self interest without military participation. Based on this policy
Nehru urged the newly independent Asian countries at the Asian Conference of 1947 and the
Afro–Asian Conference of 1955, to keep out of the cold war politics and refuse the foreign
powers involved in the Cold War from setting up bases in the Asian Countries. This policy of
Nehru prevented India from becoming a part of the Cold War.

Also in 1952, Nehru signed an agreement with China which was based on Vedic cultures of
India. The agreement provided for the following 5 principles know as the Panchsheel:
● Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
● Mutual nonaggression
● Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
● Equality and cooperation for mutual benefit.
● Peaceful coexistence
Panchsheel is one of the most important neighbourhood policies of India as it defines the
position of India in the region and in the world. The application of this policy was further
extended by Indira Gandhi and was popularly known as ‘Monroe Doctrine’ of India.
Indira Gandhi believed that since India is a sovereign nation, India’s vicinity was an exclusive
zone of Indian supremacy and no foreign power can be allowed to interfere. By this policy,
Indira Gandhi made India politically and militarily stronger.

Later by the end of 20th century and early 21st century, India adopted Look Easy Policy and
liberal policies regarding trade and commerce. Aids were accepted from the World Bank, the
International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions for structural
adjustment programmes. During this period India neglected and undermined its neighbours.
However a breakthrough policy was brought in by Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral in the
year 1997. The policy was known as The Gujral Doctrine which provided for an assistance
package exclusively for smaller neighbours. It asserted for free trade facilities and cooperation
amongst the nations in fighting regional problems like any deadly disease, terrorism,
insurgencies and trafficking. The policy encouraged free movement of ideas, people, technology,
thoughts, intelligence and regional development and so on.

● India’s Neighbourhood policy from 1998 to 2014

In this phase, India’s neighbourhood policy was advanced. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpai
started bus service between New Delhi and Lahore. Many efforts were taken to build up good
relationships with the neighbouring countries.
One of the most important events of the period was the nuclear power test which took place in
Pokhran in May 1998. The tests were taken to enhance the security of India as it already fought 5
wars with Pakistan and China. The tests were also necessary for India to become a major
international player. Although the tests were highly criticized and sanctions were imposed by
superpowers, India didn’t slow down or stopped and emerged stronger than ever. However, after
the tests, the neighbouring countries of India became cautious as they assumed that India is
seeking dominance in the region.

● India’s neighbourhood policy from 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entering into the office of Prime Minister has begun the new
era of neighbourhood policy of India. According to a nation’s foreign policy begins at its
national borders and it is very much evident in Modi’s “neighbourhood first” strategy. In
consequence of this policy, Modi encouraged the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) countries to let go differences and join hand to fight against regional
problems like poverty and unemployment, terrorism, etc. Under his “neighbor first” policy Modi
made official visits to smaller neighbourhood countries like Nepal and Bhutan. The then External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also visited Bangladesh in pursuance of the policy. Narendra
Modi also had bilateral talks with neighbouring countries at United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) sessions, encouraging them to cooperate with each other to deal with regional issues.
India is one of the main parties in the bilateral disputes with the neighbours on issues like illegal
migration, trade and security. Like with Pakistan, the Kashmir dispute and terrorism is the major
points of disagreement and with Bangladesh the disagreements are regarding illegal immigration,
their association with terrorist organization and water sharing. Even though India shares good
relations with Nepal, they also share disagreements on border disputes, water sharing, and trade.
However, Bhutan India shares no major disagreement. India's relationship with China is also
strained due to border disputes, military infiltrations. The growing closeness of China and
Pakistan has also become a concern for India.

❏ THE “MODI DOCTRINE”

With changing regional dynamics, the shift from Indira and Gujral Doctrines were much needed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi after coming into power has brought a change in India’s
neighbourhood policy which involves proactively indulging with neighbouring countries and
pursuing friendly relations with them.

❏ Neighbourhood Policy for SAARC Nations

India is one of the world's fastest growing economies and has both vast growing markets and
super technology and knowledge based services. India seeks to make its neighbours a
stakeholder of this economic destiny and create a globally competitive South Asian Economic
Community. To ensure this, Modi took the first step by dedicating a satellite to the SAARC
region. The SAARC countries offered tremendous economic and infrastructural development
opportunities to India. The South Asian Free Trade Agreement made between the SAARC
countries has led to tremendous increase in the trade in the SAARC region. In 2009 the intra
SAARC trade amounted to $529 million which increased to $1636.31 million in 2013-14 which
further increased to $28billion in 2016. It is estimated that due to free trade agreement, intra
SAARC trade is expected to grow by $100 billion annually.
 ❏ Building Trust amongst South Asian Nations

The Prime Minister Modi has constantly made efforts to build trust amongst the South Asian
Nations by creating favorable environments for the nations. As a gesture of friendship and trust,
the Prime Minister invited the heads of all the South Asian Nation for his swearing-in ceremony
in which he encouraged the South Asian Nations to join hands together to show the world that
we are a big and powerful country.
In pursuance of his trust building policy, the Prime Minister and his colleagues are constantly
visiting neighbouring countries. His first official visit was to Bhutan followed by Nepal and
Bangladesh. Modi’s visit to Bangladesh along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee led to the ratification of the ‘Land Boundary Agreement’ which ended a 41 year old
boundary dispute. This helped in bridging the gap which existed in the Indo-Bangladesh
relationship for decades.
Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka was seen as a progressive step towards improving India- Sri Lanka
relationship. With his visit, Modi became the first Prime Minister in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi
to visit Sri Lanka. In April 2016, India and Maldives entered into a defence cooperation action
plan. Modi believed that Maldives’ security and stability is in national interest of India and he
also assured Maldives of all the support required to strengthen democratic institutions.
Modi’s persistent efforts to reach out to the neighbouring countries have finally led to a friendly
environment in the South Asian Region. These policies taken up by Prime Minister Modi reflect
that neighbourhood is of prime importance to India.

❏ Barrier in Trust Building

One of the major barriers which were faced by the trust building policy was the strained relations
of India and Pakistan. The main reason of India’s disappointment in Pakistan is the involvement
of Pakistan in terrorism and violence. No meaningful bilateral dialogues could take place
between India and Pakistan in the shadow of terrorism. Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism
poses a threat to the peace and stability of Afghanistan whereas India is committed to maintain
peace and prosperity in the already war stricken region of Afghanistan. Both indigenous and
transnational terrorism pose a threat to India’s security. The indigenous terrorist group have also
established cross border connections. The imminent threat for India comes from the terrorist
organisations which are fostered by Pakistan like Lashkar-e-Taiba and the distant threat is from
Islamic State (ISIS).
Prime Minister Modi criticized Pakistan for nurturing terrorist groups in the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) by stating that “There is no good terrorism or bad terrorism. There is
only Terrorism which kills civilians and destroys property”.
However, India is ready to have bilateral talks with Pakistan to deal with the problem of
terrorism and ceasefire violations by Pakistan and create a friendly relation between the nations.

● Conclusion

Friendly relations with Neighbours play a very important role in a country’s security and socio
economic, political and cultural development. Since one cannot change neighbours, they might
as well share good relations with them.
India’s policy should always portray India as a leader and not as a boss. The smaller neighbours
should not feel intimidated while maintaining relations with India. The main focus of India’s
foreign policy must be on maintaining good relations with its neighbours. India’s neighbourhood
policy should be such that it supports friendly, peaceful and secular nations of the region.

Globalization has been one of the factors which encouraged good neighbourhood policy in India
as it promotes economic integration and interdependence of nations which leads to harmonious
cross border relations. Thus proper management of border controls increase the benefits of open
borders and leads to significant increase in economic, political and socio cultural interactions
between neighbouring countries.
It is strongly advocated that the strict meaning of state borders should change overtime giving
space and opportunity to develop stronger relationships between neighbours.
After fighting five wars with Pakistan and China, it has become clear that the best way forward
for India is to win a war without fighting. Hence India must strive for good relations with its
neighbours which will ensure a win-win situation for both the nations. New policies should be
devised through which India can help the smaller neighbours in elevating their trade and
economy .India must make bilateral and multilateral agreements which helps them to become
self sufficient and well integrated so that they do not have to invite external powers to interfere
in their bilateral relations.
India has to convince the smaller nations of the region that it has no intention to harm or
dominate their states and by doing so India should slowly open up its borders for easy movement
of ideas, people, goods, technology, intelligence. India needs to develop an economic policy to
ensure its neighbours that their economic development is contemporary to its own.