• Neighbourhood

India's Approach to Neighborly Relations

• Philosophical Foundations:

  • Kautilya: Viewed neighbors as natural enemies, contrasting with today’s complex interdependence.
  • Muchkund Dubey: Judged a nation's foreign policy by its relations with neighbors.
  • Shyam Saran in How India Sees the World: Emphasizes geography’s role in ensuring security via strong neighborly ties.
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Stressed regional ties, noting that “We can change our history but not geography.”

• Regional Concerns:

  • Domestic Upheavals: Instability in Sri Lanka and Nepal affects India's regional dynamics (Nitin Pai).
  • Neglect and “Big Brother” Stance: India’s posture often alienates neighbors, giving China strategic inroads (Kanwal Sibal).
  • Anti-India Sentiment ← Historic narratives foster resentment (bitterness), and unpredictability in India’s defense stances raises concerns (S.D. Muni, Suhasini Haider).
  • Geopolitical Pressures: China’s maneuvers push India towards a reactive, regional focus (Happymon Jacob).
  • Zero-Sum Game: India’s security-centric approach, termed “zero-sum,” strengthens China’s leverage (P. Stobdan).

• Scholarly Recommendations for Strengthening Regional Ties:

  • Regionalization and Groupings: C. Rajamohan advocates leveraging frameworks like BIMSTEC and SASEC.
  • Functionalism and Constructivism: P. Stobdan suggests a top-down, constructive engagement mirroring China and Russia’s regional tactics.
  • Soft Power and SAARC: Suhasini Haider recommends reviving SAARC and using soft power to regain influence.
  • Strategic Dual Track: Zorawar Daulat Singh advises defining redlines to balance cooperation and assert India’s interests.
  • Comprehensive Neighborhood Doctrine: Vivek Katzu suggests a policy delineating strategic boundaries.
  • Economic Interdependence: Amb. Sharat Sabharwal urges fast-tracking regional projects.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Pramit Pal Chaudhary advocates partnering with Japan to implement regional projects.
  • Reciprocity with Indo-Pacific: Harsh V. Pant suggests balancing local reciprocity with broader Indo-Pacific engagement.
  • Learning from ASEAN: S.D. Muni proposes adapting China’s ASEAN strategies to SAARC.

• Differentiated Approach to Neighbors (per Rajiv Sikri):

  • Small Neighbors: Avoid “one-size-fits-all”; prioritize respect and reduced dependence.
  • Middle-Sized Neighbors (e.g., Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka): Foster economic ties, respect sovereignty without expecting reciprocity.
  • Pakistan and China: Unique approach required due to historical/geopolitical complexities.

• Long-term Vision for Peaceful Relations:

  • India must adopt a responsible, proactive regional strategy, focusing on longstanding issues to ensure peaceful neighborhood ties.
  • Goal: Stability in the neighborhood is vital for India’s global ambitions as a major power, leveraging shared cultural and historical ties for cooperation.

• Neighbourhood

• India-Pak

• India-Nepal

• India-Bangladesh

• India-Sri Lanka

• India-Myanmar

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