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.