What are the major challenges and opportunities in India’s bilateral relations with its immediate neighbors?
Geopolitical dynamics play a significant role in India's engagements with its neighbors: -Pakistan: The problem of Afghan opium production and the influence of warlords is the most prominent geopolitical issue. It generates conflict and impedes collaboration and becomes mostly a focal point of bilatRead more
Geopolitical dynamics play a significant role in India’s engagements with its neighbors:
-Pakistan: The problem of Afghan opium production and the influence of warlords is the most prominent geopolitical issue. It generates conflict and impedes collaboration and becomes mostly a focal point of bilateral relations. However, there is a new problem in the regional structure of relations: cooperation between Pakistan and China.
-Bangladesh: River water sharing specially Ganges, Brahmaputra are one of the most critical point of discussion between them. Another important factor is power transition which refers to the rise of China as the dominant economic and political power in the region affecting Bangladeshi foreign policy.
Nepal: The rising economic and political power of India alongside the rising strategic partnership between the US and India has made Nepal anxious about its political self-rule.
-Sri Lanka: Until recent years, India has had several interactions with Sri Lanka because of its apprehensions regarding the rising sphere of influence of China in Sri Lanka. India also desires stability of Sri Lanka that there should not be any public instability transferring security in its country.
-Bhutan: Relations between India and Bhutan are quite special and friendly, and the two countries are said to be having a special kind of relationship. Nevertheless, factors like China flexing it muscles in the region, and China’s territorial claims over some parts of Bhutan have emerged.
Key Geopolitical Factors:
-China rise: India’s relations with neighbours have dependant extensively on china’s advance economy and defense machinery. India cannot counterbalance China’s power try to do so but, simultaneously it seeks an opportunity to cooperate.
-India-US Strategic Partnership: India’s growing strategic partnership with the USA has implications for its neighbors. This means that while some might consider this partnership as being inimical to their welfare.
-Regional Power Dynamics: India’s own growth as the emerging power in the region its desire and effort to attain a status of more significant role in international system also affect the surrounding neighbours.
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India’s neighbourhood is a diverse and strategically significant region encompassing eight countries. Due to it’s diverse nature it create different challenges and opportunities depending upon the different lenses. Different lenses and how they create challenges and opportunities- A. Security dilemmRead more
India’s neighbourhood is a diverse and strategically significant region encompassing eight countries. Due to it’s diverse nature it create different challenges and opportunities depending upon the different lenses.
Different lenses and how they create challenges and opportunities-
A. Security dilemma- India’s strategic and military advancement are perceived as threat by neighbouring states exacerbating regional tensions. For instance, the protracted border issues with Pakistan and China illustrate the classic realist contention that “enduring rivalries and conflicting national interests continue to impede the realisation of a harmonious neighbourhood”
B. Economic integration – presents both challenges and opportunities through the lens of liberalism. While initiatives like the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) promise mutual economic growth, non-tariff barriers and political tensions often restrict progress. Furthermore, India’s economic dominance in the region can evoke both cooperation and resistance from smaller neighbours, reflecting the asymmetry in economic interdependence and the resultant power dynamics.
C. Historical background- Constructivist perspectives highlight the significance of historical narratives and identity politics in shaping bilateral relations. The persistent “trust deficit” due to historical conflicts and territorial disputes underscores the impact of collective memories and national identities. For instance, the antagonistic perceptions between India and Pakistan are deeply rooted in their partition history and continue to influence their diplomatic engagements.
D. External influences-
The influence of external actors, particularly China’s strategic inroads into South Asia through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), introduces a complex layer of geopolitical rivalry. As C. Raja Mohan asserts, “China’s growing footprint in South Asia fundamentally alters the regional balance of power” . This aligns with the neorealist view of external balancing and the impact of great power politics on regional stability.
However, there are significant opportunities for enhancing regional cooperation through the lens of regionalism. India’s “Neighborhood First” policy aims to prioritize diplomatic and economic ties with its neighbors, fostering greater regional integration. Enhanced connectivity projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, underscore the potential for economic synergy. Additionally, cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges, as emphasized by constructivists, can bridge historical divides and build mutual trust.
In conclusion, while challenges in India’s bilateral relations with its neighbors are substantial, strategic engagement, economic cooperation, and soft power diplomacy offer viable pathways for fostering a more stable and prosperous regional environment.
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