India's Neighbourhood First Policy: Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

India is surrounded by seven neighbours, yet its relationships with most of them oscillate between warmth and tension. PM Modi's 2014 swearing-in broke protocol by inviting all SAARC leaders - a signal of 'Neighbourhood First'. Ten years later, the policy has delivered significant development assistance (India is the largest grant donor in the region), connectivity projects (BBIN, Kaladan), and Lines of Credit worth $30+ billion. But China's BRI investments, domestic politics in neighbouring countries, and border tensions have repeatedly tested the policy's effectiveness.

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[TOPIC CLASSIFICATION]

Topic type: International Relations / Foreign Policy PYQ frequency: High. Every year in GS 2 Mains; regular in Prelims. Exam stage relevance: Prelims + Mains Primary GS Paper: GS 2 (International Relations)

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[EXAMINER REASONING]

1. Trap: Confusing dialogue mechanisms, agreement types, or grouping mandates. Examiners test precise diplomatic terminology.
2. Most confused: The distinction between strategic partnership/comprehensive partnership, between dialogue formats (2+2, Track 1.5, Track 2), between groupings (Quad vs BRICS vs SCO vs IORA).
3. Key anchor: Constitutional provision (Art 253, 7th Schedule), institutional architecture (MEA, NSC, NSAB, IDSA, think tanks), guiding principles (Panchsheel, Non-Alignment 2.0, Strategic Autonomy, Multi-alignment, Neighbourhood First, Act East, SAGAR).
4. Current affairs hook: G20 presidency outcomes, Quad summits, BRICS expansion, SCO meetings, neighbourhood visits, iCET, strategic dialogues, border standoffs, Myanmar crisis, Global South leadership, UNSC reform push.
5. Mains hinge: Frame answers around the core tension - autonomy vs alignment, principles vs interests, bilateral vs multilateral, hard power vs soft power, status quo vs revisionism.

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Core Concept

Policy Framework: The 'Neighbourhood First' policy prioritises India's immediate neighbours - Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. Key elements:

• Non-reciprocal engagement: India gives more than it takes (unilateral concessions)
• Development assistance: Lines of Credit, grants, capacity building
• Connectivity: Roads, railways, ports, power grids, pipelines
• Security: Counter-terrorism, maritime security, border management
• Humanitarian: Quick-response disaster relief (India as 'first responder')

Nepal: India shares an open border (1850 km) with Nepal. The 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship governs the relationship. Tensions include:

• Kalapani/Lipulekh border dispute (maps issued by India in 2019 provoked Nepal's Parliament to pass a constitutional amendment claiming the territory)