Other Neighbours — Definition
Definition
India's 'Other Neighbours' refers to the set of countries sharing land or maritime borders with India, excluding Pakistan, which is often treated as a distinct category due to its unique historical and geopolitical context.
This group primarily includes Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Maldives. Understanding India's relations with these nations is paramount for UPSC aspirants, as it encompasses a complex interplay of geography, history, economics, culture, and strategic interests that directly impact India's security, development, and regional standing.
These relationships are not merely transactional; they are deeply rooted in shared civilizational ties, common challenges, and aspirations for regional prosperity.
Geographically, India is a peninsular country with a vast land frontier and an extensive coastline. Its land borders stretch over 15,000 kilometers, touching seven countries. Beyond Pakistan, these include Nepal and Bhutan to the north, Bangladesh to the east, and Myanmar to the far east.
Afghanistan shares a short, disputed border in the northwest. Maritime neighbours include Sri Lanka to the southeast and Maldives to the southwest, both strategically located in the Indian Ocean. The diverse topography along these borders ranges from the formidable Himalayas with Nepal and Bhutan, the marshy deltas and plains with Bangladesh, to the dense forests and hills with Myanmar.
Strategically, these neighbours form India's immediate security perimeter. Stable and friendly relations are crucial for managing cross-border issues like insurgency, illegal migration, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
The 'Neighborhood First' policy, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores India's commitment to prioritizing these relationships, recognizing that India's growth and stability are intrinsically linked to the peace and prosperity of its neighbours.
This policy emphasizes connectivity, cooperation, commerce, and cultural exchange as pillars of engagement.
Economically, these countries represent vital markets for Indian goods and services, as well as sources of raw materials. Connectivity projects, such as roads, railways, waterways, and energy pipelines, are central to enhancing regional trade and integration. India often provides development assistance, lines of credit, and technical expertise to these nations, fostering goodwill and mutual growth. However, trade imbalances and market access issues sometimes pose challenges.
Culturally, India shares deep historical, religious, linguistic, and ethnic ties with most of its neighbours. Buddhism originated in India and spread to Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Southeast Asia. Hinduism is prevalent in Nepal. Shared festivals, culinary traditions, and people-to-people exchanges form a strong bedrock for these relationships. However, ethnic issues, particularly those involving populations straddling borders, can also become points of contention.
Recent developments in the region, including the growing influence of external powers like China through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), add a layer of complexity to India's neighbourhood diplomacy.
India navigates these dynamics by strengthening bilateral ties, promoting regional cooperation through forums like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), and asserting its role as a net security provider and a responsible regional power.
For UPSC, understanding these multifaceted relationships requires a holistic approach, integrating geographical facts with geopolitical analysis, economic trends, and cultural nuances.