Reviving ‘Neighbourhood First’

Reviving ‘Neighbourhood First’

India china; India- Nepal; India – Pakistan; Neighbourhood policy

News:

1. The present government is keen on rebuilding ‘Neighborhood First’ policy which is evident through informal summit at Wuhan, China, last month and a visit to Nepal this month.

Important Facts:

2. Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2014 in visited Gujarat reflecting China inclination towards a personalized diplomacy. The personalized diplomacy was reciprocated the prime minister when he visited China.
3. India and China has various strains in their relation in last few years

• In 2016, China had blocked India from joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) despite a meeting between the two leaders in Tashkent on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
• China has blocked India’s bid to get Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar declared as an UN-designated terrorist.
• China’s veto against the Uri Army camp attack by JeM cadres.
• China stopped the sharing Hydrological data amid reports of diversion of Brahmaputra river waters.
• A long stand-off at Doklam last year reflected downturn in relationship of both countries.
• Chinese skepticism response in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and stepping up maritime engagement with the U.S. and Japan and reviving the Quad (with Australia) in Manila last year is a serious concern.

4. Recently there is growing improvement in relation between India and China is visible

• India china engagement at SCO, G-20 and BRICS summits later this year is clear indication that there is an effort to bring the relationship on track between India and China.

5. Prime minister visit in 2014 had generated considerable goodwill in India Nepal relations.
6. In last few years India Nepal has grown strain in their relation

• Nepal’s new Constitution and support for the Madhesi cause created ill-will with India Nepal relations.
• The economic impact caused by the disruption of supplies of essential items such as liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum products and medicines fed the anti-Indian sentiment.

7. Prime minister proposed visit to Nepal May 11-12^th may improve the relation between the two countries

• A surprise one-on-one meeting with Mr. Modi on the first day provided the two leaders an opportunity to clear the air about the past and rebuild a degree of trust.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce a direct bus service between Janakpur in Nepal and Ayodhya in India, both key places in the Ramayana tourism circuit.

8. Relations with Pakistan is stalled from 2016 following the Pathankot and Uri attacks. Firing across the Line of Control (LoC) has intensified leading to unhealthy relation with Pakistan. India launched ‘surgical strikes’ as retaliation for the Uri attack but this has not reduced infiltration.
9. India has successfully stalled the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit since 2016.
10. The resumption of the stalled Track II Neemrana Dialogue last month in Islamabad indicates that a shift may be likely.
11. The upcoming Elections in July would be ray of hope from the new government for new India – Pakistan policy.