o providing them with support as needed

o greater connectivity and integration

o to promote a model of India-led regionalism with which its neighbours are comfortable.

♤ India realises that development and rapid economic growth cannot be fulfilled without a stable and conducive neighbourhood. India shares borders, rivers, climatic zones, cultural and ethnic ties with its neighbors which can be a source of both conflict and cooperation.

♤ The centrality of India’s neighborhood in its foreign policy has become ever more critical in the context of the changing geopolitical landscape. The rise of China, an important neighbor and domestic changes in neighboring South Asian countries provide the backdrop of these developments

♤ Growing development need of India’s smaller neighbours and the increasing desire to fulfil them has made Chinese access easier. In this context India’s needs to focus on the growing aspirations of its smaller neighbours. The simple logic that drives smaller neighbours is how to maximise benefits from the two rising Asian giants.

♤ India needs to create a narrative that reassures its smaller neighbours that it wants to contribute to their rise as well. Development partnerships, trade, people to people ties can pave the way ahead.

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