Indian Council of World Affairs

Former Foreign Secretary & Chair Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Distinguished Experts, Students & Friends, 

• Over the past decade, India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ has played a pivotal role in nurturing and strengthening ties with our neighbouring countries. It is a policy rooted in the principles of respect, dialogue, peace, prosperity, and cultural exchange—what we refer to as the “5 S” of Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), Samriddhi (prosperity), and Sanskriti (culture) in PM Shri Narendra Modi’s words. These principles have guided India’s diplomatic efforts to forge deeper, more meaningful relationships with neighbouring countries that are close in terms of geography, culture, economy, and aspirations. 

• As we reflect on India’s role in the region, it is clear that the country’s size, population, resources, and growing economic and military strength place it at the centre of South Asia and the Indian Ocean. These characteristics are indeed a source of strength for India; India does not however believe in adopting hegemonic approaches towards its neighbours or its extended neighbourhood. India has always seen itself as a large tree with deep roots that keeps the soil together. Our approach is founded on the belief that the stability, growth, and prosperity of India’s neighbours are intrinsically linked to India’s own progress, which can foster mutual prosperity and security. 

• Given the changing global geopolitical scenario, regional challenges, India’s geography and the need to provide for all-encompassing security, economic and connectivity linkages, India has recognised that bilateral relations alone are not sufficient to address the complex and interconnected regional challenges or to harness emerging opportunities. India has therefore been actively engaging in regional and sub-regional frameworks such as BIMSTEC, BBIN, and the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). These initiatives are designed to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, security, infrastructure, and cultural exchange—vital components which can contribute to peace, progress and prosperity. 

• Today’s discussion is important as it is going to look at the sub-regional aspect of India’s "Neighbourhood First Policy" progress and challenges. It is evident that India has been actively engaging bilaterally with its neighbours through initiatives focused on connectivity, economic and developmental cooperation, as well as maritime security cooperation. Additionally, India has taken a leadership role in supporting projects and initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, electricity cooperation among Nepal, India, and Bangladesh (NIB), as well as initiatives pertaining to cross-border cargo movements. These efforts are supplementing the bilateral vision and initiatives, such as with Sri Lanka on promoting ‘connectivity in all its dimensions’, to enhance sub-regional integration and fostering strengthened inter-dependencies. 

• SAGAR covers not only countries in India’s immediate neighbourhood but also covers the extended neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region. Colombo Security Conclave is an important sub-regional approach of our Sagar vision. Likewise, the initiative to develop the terminal in Nicobar under Sagar Mala, the development of the Sabang port in Aceh under joint consideration of India and Indonesia, and potential complementarity with other regional maritime hubs like Singapore, Kelang and Colombo can also provide for a basis for a sub-regional approach under SAGAR. 

• It is also important to recognise that while sub-regional cooperation is an essential element of India’s foreign policy, when it comes to engaging with immediate neighbourhood, it comes with its own set of challenges. These include navigating internal political developments in partner countries, addressing India’s security concerns, and ensuring that the goals of sub-regional cooperation are mutually agreed and are implemented to mutual benefit. 

• Today’s discussion will touch upon critical questions such as: The benefits of advancing sub-regional approaches and initiatives? How do sub-regional initiatives serve India’s broader strategic/security interests? What are the economic, diplomatic, and security factors that shape India’s sub-regional approach? Given the unpredictable and tumultuous political environment in neighbouring South Asian countries, how can we strengthen these sub-regional mechanisms? 

• From a sub-continental approach of BBIN to the maritime approach of Colombo Security Conclave and now extending into the extended neighbourhood, India’s sub-regional approaches for its neighbourhood are evolving and adapting in consonance with India’s commitment to regional security and prosperity in a world undergoing geopolitical shifts and ferment. 

• I am sure that the Panel will come up with many such observations and recommendations. I look forward to an engaging discussion. I wish the panellists all the best.

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