Neighbourhood First to Neighbourhood Lost? An Assessment of India’s Diplomacy in Neighbourhood

Authors

  • Seema Chaudhary Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, VMLG College Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15589693

Keywords:

south asian geopolitics, india-china strategic rivalry, regional diplomacy, foreign policy, india’s neighbourhood first policy

Abstract

India, the world's largest democracy and a rapidly growing economy, follows a complex foreign policy that has evolved significantly since its independence in 1947. At the heart of this policy lies India's relationship with its neighbours, which has oscillated between collaborative attempts and confrontational stances. This paper aims to comprehensively assess India's diplomatic journey with its neighbouring countries from 1947 to 2025, highlighting key agreements, initiatives, and Policies that have defined these relationships. As we go through this historical landscape, we will analyse why India finds itself at a critical place today, having seemingly lost ground in maintaining good relations with its immediate neighbours, and what systemic factors contribute to its current scenario.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Appadorai, A. (1982). Select documents on India’s foreign policy and relations 1947–1972, 1. Oxford University Press. Aurora, Bhavna Vij.

The Economic Times. (2014). http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes. com/2015-05-05/news/61833609_1_pm-narendra-m. (Accessed 2015 3-November). BBC. BBC News. 2016. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35321974 (Accessed January 16, 2016).

BBC News. Pathankot: Gunmen attack India air force base. 2016. http://www.bbc.com/news/ world-asia-india-35211265 (accessed 2016 8-January). Behuria, 4. Ashok K., Smruti S. Pattanaik, and Arvind Gupta. “Does India Have a Neighbourhood Policy?” Strategic analysis 36, no. 2 (2012): 229-246.

Bhaumik, Subir Aljazeera. (2013). http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/ features/2013/01/2013171148400871.

Html. (Accessed 2015 2-January). Businessline, The hindu. India Bangladesh agree on power tariff await nod to start supplies.

The Hindu Businessline. (2016). http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/india-bangladeshagree-on-power-tariff-await-nod-to-start-supplies/article8093174.ece. (Accessed 2016 17-February).

Dutt, V.P. (2014). India’s foreign policy since independence. New Delhi: National Book Trust, 2007. Ghimire, Y. Becoming best friends. The Indian Express. 2014. http://indianexpress.com/article/.

Ghimire, Yubaraj Madhesis. (2016). Call off protest, fuel supply back as Nepal border blockaderemoved. http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/madhesis-call-off-protest-endfive-month-long-indo-nepal-border-blockade/#sthash.gUyfTknv.dpuf. (Accessed 2016 28-February).

Next door Nepal - china is welcome, India is not. The Indian Express. 2016. http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/k-p-sharma-oli-nepal-india-relations-china-is-welcome2768662/#sthash.1GdrDGNn.dpuf (accessed 2016 25-April).

Jacob, J. (2015). PM talks of good neighbours, B2B ties in Bhutan. Hindustan Times. 2014. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/pm-talks-of-good-neighbours-b2b-ties-in-bhutan/story0DyOUkSt7nd4l8FmNBYFsM.html. (Accessed 2015 23-November).

http://www.idsa.in/node/1555. (Accessed 2015 27-O).

Sikri, Rajiv. (2009). Challenge and strategy: Rethinking India’s foreign policy. Sage Publications, 23.

Vajpayee, Atal Bihari. (2003). You can change friends, not neighbours. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-05-09/news/27547221_1_india-and-pakistanjammu-and-kashmir-lahore-declaration. (Accessed July 26, 2016).

Muni, S.D. Problem area’s in India’s neighbourhood policy. South Asian Survey, 10(2).

Published

28-05-2025

How to Cite

Chaudhary, S. (2025). Neighbourhood First to Neighbourhood Lost? An Assessment of India’s Diplomacy in Neighbourhood. Social Science Journal for Advanced Research, 5(3), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15589693

Issue

Section

Articles

ARK