“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”– Should India’s foreign policy have the same attitude when it comes to the countries around us? Well, as we rise on the global stage, ensuring peace and prosperity in the immediate neighbourhood comes across as a prudential decision as well as a moral responsibility of being the largest country in South Asia.
Let’s take a look at the most pressing issues that have presented themselves in front of India’s foreign policymakers this year.
India’s Foreign Policy: Current Challenges in 2024
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China on the Borders
India and China are still in a standoff situation in the eastern Ladakh region that originally began in 2020. The local population of the area has continuously raised its voice against the encroachment of their pasture lands by the Chinese troops. Although, the Indian government doesn’t accept this on an official level yet it is the most urgent concern when it comes to our Himalayan borders. Various reports have come out from time to time regarding the clashes between the Indian and the Chinese troops on the LAC ( Line of Actual Control). The ongoing protests in Ladakh for inclusion in the 6th schedule
Uncertainty in Pakistan & support for terror activities
Pakistan has long been the major hurdle for peace-building efforts of India in the region due to the vested interests of the Pakistani Army, internally and externally. With the current financial and political instability in Pakistan after the murky election results and the continued presence of India-focused terrorist organizations in Pakistan, it is unlikely that India will make any efforts to improve its relations with this Western neighbour anytime soon.
The relationship has particularly soured recently after “The Guardian” published a report last week in which Pakistani intelligence officials accused India’s foreign Intelligence agency- RAW of target killings in Pakistan of individuals India terms as “terrorists on foreign soil”. India has not accepted this accusation, terming it “false propaganda“.
Recently, Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif admitted spmething which stirred diplomatic discussions between India and Pakistan. During a gathering, Sharif publicly acknowledged that Pakistan had “violated” the 1999 Lahore Declaration—a peace agreement signed between him and his Indian counterpart, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In a candid moment, Nawaz Sharif reflected on the past. “On May 28, 1998,” he stated, “Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that, Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement… it was our fault.” His words acknowledge the breach of trust and the subsequent war that followed.
As the subcontinent navigates complex geopolitics, Sharif’s admission serves as a reminder. Diplomacy requires honesty, accountability, and a commitment to peace. India’s response—acknowledging the “perspective based on reality”—hints at cautious optimism. Whether this moment leads to reconciliation or further rifts remains uncertain, but the echoes of the Lahore Declaration continue to resonate across borders.
Delicate Diplomacy with Nepal
India sees itself as a “big brother” to Nepal, which is a landlocked country in its neighborhood. Many in Nepal do not agree with the same viewpoint, especially the recent entry into the government of Nepal- Communist Party of Nepal, headed by K.P.Sharma Oli, into the government of Nepal. He is famous for his not-so-positive view of India in the past and his tendency to support China over India.
The Myanmar Crisis and its Impact
The situation in Myanmar is particularly critical. On one hand, there is the Military Junta which came to power after a coup in 2021 and is continuously losing control of towns at the hands of anti-Junta rebel forces. On the other hand, tens of thousands of Myanmar nationals, including civilians and armed soldiers, have fled to bordering Indian states like Mizoram and Manipur, creating potential security concerns for India.
India has tried to maintain good relations with the Military Junta after 2021 to counter the influence of China, but the balance of power seems to be shifting these days. India must think through each step it takes when it comes to the current, extremely fragile situation in Myanmar.
Navigating Tensions with the Maldives
The “Neighbourhood First” Policy in Action
- Despite strained relations due to the Maldives’ defense agreement with China, India approved the export of essential commodities like rice, sugar, wheat, and eggs to the Maldives in April 2024.
- India, as a close neighbor, helped Sri Lanka by providing 4 billion US dollars as emergency financing to Sri Lanka in 2022 during its worst economic crisis. This demonstrates India’s commitment to supporting neighbors in times of need.
- The Punatsangchhu II hydropower project, a joint venture between India and Bhutan, is nearing completion in 2024. Perfect example of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy in action, providing clean energy to India while generating revenue for Bhutan’s development.
Conclusion
Despite India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, there have been capacity constraints in implementing regional connectivity projects. Commitments made by the political leadership often strain the bureaucracy, leading to under-delivery.
