Aimed at bolstering friendly relations with its neighbors, India’s Neighbourhood First Policy was proposed in 2008. Under this policy, India aspires to prioritize regional connectivity, cooperation, and development with its South Asian neighbors.

India is driven by its non-reciprocal and development strategy which is evident by its policies and actions in the South Asian region. Following are India’s successes and challenges in maintaining regional cooperation:

• Successes

1. India has engaged actively through SAARC and BIMSTEC focusing on economic and trade cooperation in the region.
2. By investing in infrastructure like the Trilateral Highway, Chabahar port, Kaladan Multi-modal Transit project, etc, India has fostered regional connectivity.
3. India has also signed energy deals with Bhutan for Hydropower and with Nepal for electricity.
4. India has provided humanitarian assistance to its neighbors., for eg, financial aid to Sri Lanka in 2022, Operation Maitri in Nepal, Vaccine diplomacy during Covid 19, etc.
5. For people-to-people connect, India also extends scholarship programs, India-Bangladesh River Cruise, Katarpur Corridor, etc.

• Challenges

1. Growing Chinese influence in the region.
2. India’s strained relations with Pakistan.
3. River and Border disputes with China, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
4. Slight shift of India towards the West.
5. Impact of domestic politics on illegal migration, terrorism, narcotics etc.