The criterion of successive foreign policy of any country is relations with neighboring countries. It also means more for emerging power like India. With the swearing-in of the present Prime Minister in 2014, the policy of prioritizing neighboring countries had begun. Since then, the Indian government has been continuously implementing it. Till the end of the year, the Prime Minister's schedule for travel to neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives has been fixed.
China is emerging as a major challenge in maintaining a cordial policy towards neighboring countries. Many South Asian countries are opposing China's one belt, one road policy, because it will make its place in the Indian Ocean. That's why China is trying to create some friends for itself in this area. Under this policy, it has affected Nepal in some way to change its regional priorities. This is evidenced by the fact that after Nepal's BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Corporation) Conference concluded in August, the countries of these countries did not send their team for military exercises to be held in Poona.
In the four and a half years of India's foreign policy to give priority to the neighbors, Pakistan was a country which has adopted an attitude of hostility towards India's friendship. In this case, the SAARC organization has also proved ineffective. So, leaving Pakistan, India has made all other neighboring countries as partners in their economic progress, providing loans at their minimum interest rate; Tactical efforts have been made to lay a network of connectivity resources and to provide safe market in the Bay of Bengal. At the same time, Prime Minister Modi has made regular visits to South Asian countries, and has also appreciated the leaders of these countries.
Every country has sovereignty to choose its international relations. The pace of China's economic skill and development has attracted many South Asian countries. That is why in 2014 Sri Lanka welcomed the Chinese submarines. Now Nepal is also bent towards China. The Maldives also welcomed China's friendly attitude.
Docmal controversy that happened with Cheena was a fire test for India. China wanted to send a message to India through the move, through Bhutan. But Bhutan did not have to kneel in front of China's authority. In the same way, Bangladesh also showed cleverness in relations with China and maintained distance from it.
Myanmar has opposed China's belt road policy. Sri Lanka has also made its foreign policy relatively balanced. But due to China's debt, it is still under pressure.
Afghanistan wants to stay away from the extremists. Relations with the Maldives can be expected to be better.
History and roots of roots with South Asian countries are not enough to keep India's place. India has to find solutions and options at political, diplomatic and economic levels, which can maintain its success in these countries.
Based on Deepanjan Roy Chowdhury's article published in 'The Economic Times' October 11, 2018
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