Question 14GS2GS3
India is no longer wedded to 'bilateralism only' in its approach with its South Asian neighbours. Discuss. Also, highlight the challenges pertaining to effective cooperation in the region.
Main Body
India had a bilateral approach to its neighbours in S.Asia - engaging in one-to-one conversations & engagements. Offtie, India has now diversified its relationship via: i Regional forums ii Track II diplomacy - P2P iii Informal summits Emerging Multilateral approach: (1) SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. India to engage provides a platform to rival countries like Pakistan on critical issues like COVID-19
2BIMSTEC - seen as grouping of Indian neighbourhood excluding Pakistan. Cooperation extends to: i Conclave of ports ii Summit conclave iii Master plan for transport connectivity (3) Indian Ocean Rim Association - to engage & collaborate with countries bordering Indian Ocean (4) SAGAR - launched by India for maritime security in Indian Ocean region (5) Project Mausam and project Sagarmala launched to assist littoral states during pandemic (6) Setting up Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal corridor BBIN - to formulate a motor vehicle agreement Challenges to regional cooperation: (1) Political differences & conflicts: a) division by Indo-Pak relations b) Bangladesh-Myanmar relations c) India-Nepal border dispute (2) Economic instabilities - crisis & debt post COVID-19 of Sri-Lance & Pakistan (3) Weak institutional mechanisms - in case South Asian FTA with marginal growth (4) Depth of integration - S.Asia being least integrated due to signing of BBIN-MVA in 2018 Although, over the last decade, India has made significant progress in connecting with its neighbourhood. India's neighbourhood policy is a work in progress given the security challenges
236 words1 paragraphs
Topper
Nikita Verma
AIR 302082
Subject & Paper
GS2GS3
Topic
Regional Cooperation
India-South Asia Relations
Multilateral Engagement
Writing Stats
236
Total words
1
Paragraphs
analytical
Tone