On August 30, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that India’s neighborhood is like a puzzle, and efforts to build strong relations with neighboring countries continue despite challenges. He explained that the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy is designed to protect relationships amid changes, whether disruptive or natural.
Challenges with Neighboring Countries
Jaishankar discussed issues with various neighbors:
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- Bangladesh: Relations with Bangladesh have had ups and downs since its independence. He acknowledged that political changes in Bangladesh could be disruptive but emphasized the need to seek mutual interests.
- Sri Lanka: Jaishankar noted that the Modi government inherited a challenging situation with Sri Lanka. The two main issues are fishing rights related to the maritime boundary and China’s presence in Sri Lanka from a national security perspective. However, he mentioned a significant change in how Sri Lankans view India, especially after India provided substantial help during Sri Lanka’s crisis.
- Maldives: Relations with the Maldives have also experienced fluctuations. He pointed out that while India intervened in 1988, the relationship became less active after the government change in 2012. Despite this, India has invested deeply in this relationship, and today it is seen as a stable force in the Maldives.
- Afghanistan: Jaishankar highlighted the deep social connections between India and Afghanistan. He noted that India’s policy towards Afghanistan needs to consider the differences between a U.S.-influenced Afghanistan and one without U.S. presence.
