India & its Neighbourhood

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KEY POINTS

·         Minor issues, unaddressed, have become festering irritants in our relations with several neighbours.

·         Moreover, India’s failure to contain China’s growing influence on its neighbours is a major reason for shrinking India’s influence in its neighbourhood.

·         Maldives – India's ties with Maldives has started degrading after it criticised the Abdulla Yameen government for imposing a 45-day emergency earlier this year.

·         More inclination of the present government in Maldives towards China had eventually led to an FTA with China.

·         Further souring of ties came through return of Indian Helicopters, Denial of visa to Indians.

·         Nepal – Concerns over enhancing the constitution’s provisions for Nepal’s plains-based Madhesi population had led to India’s unofficial blockade of Nepal in 2015.

·         It gave rise to a massive wave of anti-Indian sentiments in the country.

·         It leads to the pro-China leader, taking over premiership in Nepal.

·         Bangladesh – The positive developments in Indo-Bangladesh relations have been soured by domestic politics driven by communal sentiments.

·         The stand taken on the Rohingya issue is a case in point.

Way Ahead

·         India's neighbourhood policy needs a thorough review and a new and sustained focus.

·         India can play a meaningful regional and global role only if it manages its own periphery well. 

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