Neighbourhood First.

While balancing western-powers, India must maintain even relations within the sub-continent.

Economy and trade on numerous occasions have proved to be the two most important agendas for any nation. More often than not, in promoting them, ‘friends’ have turned hostile and enemies as ‘all weather ‘friends’, churning the wheel of power perpetually. As pundits say, an impending change in the balance-of-power equation is inclined more towards the east. While India surreptitiously expands its representation in International bodies but, is it ready to up its ante while bargaining with US and China and develop an independent niche for itself?

United States (US) Though India is considered as a strategic partner, it often finds itself at loggerheads with United States. Tariffs, subsidies and market expansion are few of the many economic questions that loom over the seamless relations. India has been mocked for building “libraries” in Afghanistan. It even finds a mention in the US 301 list – that identifies trading partners “which do not adequately or effectively protect and enforce intellectual property (IP) rights”. Yet, we rejoice in being categorised as a permanent friend of the United States. Though defence relations are at an all time-high, one must not forget of the embedded interest of that US Defence Industries also hold.

China

The contention between India and China vis-à-vis Prime Minister Modi’s expedition to Arunachal Pradesh in February 2019 exposed, yet again, the fragile relation which both the nations share. Also the inability of China to provide a conspicuous support in identifying independent terrorists and their organisations in UN bodies, remains yet another unpleasant string. Notwithstanding, the novel bonhomie shared between the two Asian giants --that started post the informal Wuhan Summit and further consolidated at the Mamallapuram Sumit --vacillations over the International Boundary seems to be potent enough to jeopardise any warm association between these nations. As mentioned in an editorial, 'Leaving the door open to a border settlement' dated 23-10-2019, both the Asian giants should try finding solutions related to the International border, keeping the past principles intact. Interestingly the article even mentions that in April 1960 Zhou Enlai during his visit to India had publicly hinted at accommodating both countries interest, which tacitly implied China accepting present-day Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory in exchange for India accepting Aksai Chin as Chinese territory. Although the Indian side rejected the deal, today, it still has the potential to be a subject of discussion to unravel the border dispute and continuing displaced talks. Border-dispute today stands as the most important point of discord in Sino-Indian relations. Once the stone is weathered, it is expected to bring yet another unprecedented dimension in the wheel of power. Hence, it is about time that the two nations solved their political disputes and moved ahead in equanimity.

Treading carefully India must tread assiduously as the western powers backing India’s claim in the subcontinent, often, are impertinent towards Indian interests in other geopolitical situations and multilateral forums. To start with, World Trade Organisation (WTO ) remains the premier table where often these two blocs remain at loggerheads stalling any productive outcomes. This, compounded by the comment of President Donald Trump questioning India’s aid to Afghanistan and surreptitiously reducing it to only building libraries, only exhibits vulnerabilities within the strand of the established relationship. Such remarks completely ignore the projects and other aid worth 3billion USD through which India is involved in the land-locked nation. For India, which is embittered by a low Human Capital Index and deals with its internal issues, such participation deserves recognition; not a gadfly.

Neighbourhood First

As a result, firstly, India should continue to mend its ties with its neighbours, and consolidate its Neighbourhood First Policy. This should especially come at the time when West is turning raucous and volatile. At present, even the international relation pundits claim that Sino-Indian relations, today, experience much-abated acrimony than it did in past resulting in an improved trade relation, productive bilateral military exercises, digital collaboration etc. Here, the military drill ‘Hand in Hand’ and the Sino-Indian Collaboration Plaza ( SIDCOP ), an initiative to bring the Indian and Chinese IT companies under a common Artificial Intelligence platform, are worth a mention. Such an existing platform should be utilised to diversify the relations that circumvent the conventional disputes resulting in a long term partnership strong enough to absorb situational flare-ups. Secondly, India must bring in other stakeholders of the sub-continent under confidence and transform its big-brotherly attitude towards a more avuncular one. She has been lucky enough to be able to reset her ties with the Maldives and fortunate enough with the reinstatement of Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh. However, such prolonged fate is not here to stay, and India must engage with every other neighbour in a more robust manner so that a comprehensive relation not affected by a government change, evolves between the partners. Further, stalled projects such as the sub-regional Motor Vehicle Act, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (which even improves connectivity with the North Eastern states ) and tri-nation Highway between  India, Myanmar and Thailand must be given the priority. These projects also have the potential to improve regional connectivity without hampering her ties with China, and at the same time balancing out Chinese expansion. Thus, a foreign policy that not only dwindles the caprices with our neighbours, especially China, but also establishes a productive and conciliatory measure leading to regional development, is the need of the hour. India should keep in mind that the first step towards being a world influencer or super-power is by keeping her backyard clean and conflict-free. By keeping her dialogue open with all the stakeholders within the region this definitely can be achieved.

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