India's Approach to Neighborly Relations
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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.”
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Neighbourhood
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India-Pak
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India-Nepal
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India-Bangladesh
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India-Sri Lanka
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India-Myanmar
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