Neighborhood First Policy: Difference between revisions

The first challenge before the new govt had come from [[Herat]], Afghanistan where the Indian consulate was attacked by the [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] backed terrorist organisation days before Modi's [[First swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi|inauguration]]. Visiting the war-torn country on 10 September Swaraj called "India Afghanistan's first strategic partner".<ref name=nf6>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/sushma-swaraj-arrives-in-afghanistan-strategic-ties-on-the-agenda/|title=Sushma Swaraj arrives in Afghanistan; strategic ties on the agenda|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=2014-09-10|access-date=2014-09-10}}</ref> and has committed to play a greater role in capacity building by strengthening the [[Afghan National Army]] but sighed away from possibility of sending troops or direct export of military hardware from India instead according to an arrangement made earlier India would pay for purchase of arms and ammunitions from Russia.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/india-stepping-up-to-the-plate-in-afghanistan/|title=India Stepping Up to the Plate in Afghanistan|magazine=[[The Diplomat]]|date=7 May 2014|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref>  Potential re-emergence of the [[Taliban]] and [[al-Qaeda]] in the [[South Asia|subcontinent]] following [[NATO]] withdrawal from the country by end of 2014 have raised concerns among Indian security establishments.<ref name=nf8>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sushma-meets-karzai-seeks-sco-help-to-stabilise-region/article1-1262673.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911000012/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sushma-meets-karzai-seeks-sco-help-to-stabilise-region/article1-1262673.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2014|title=Sushma meets Karzai in Kabul, stresses partnership |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=2014-09-11|access-date=2014-09-11}}</ref> [[Hamid Ansari]], Vice-President of India attended the inauguration ceremony of new Afghan President [[Ashraf Ghani]] and CEO [[Abdullah Abdullah]] on 29 September 2014 in Kabul and the Indian side welcomes the move of new Afghan govt to sign '''bilateral security agreement''' (BSA) with the US which will eventually pave the way for around 10,000 US soldier to remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014 NATO withdrawal.

Narendra Modi made his first foreign visit to Bhutan following an invitation by King [[Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck]] and Tobgay. The visit was called by the media as a "charm offensive" that would also seek to check Bhutan-China relations that had recently been formalised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india-s-modi-heads-to/1160430.html |title=India's Modi heads to Bhutan to woo neighbours |work=Channel NewsAsia |date=4 June 2014|access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> He also sought to build business ties,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-arrives-to-a-grand-welcome-in-bhutan/article1-1229665.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615135000/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-arrives-to-a-grand-welcome-in-bhutan/article1-1229665.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2014 |title=India, Bhutan to enhance economic ties as PM Modi pitches for 'B2B' links |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=1 January 1980 |access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> including a hydro-electric deal, and inaugurated the India-funded [[Supreme Court of Bhutan]] building.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/modi-inaugurates-bhutan-s-supreme-court-building-114061500581_1.html |title=Modi inaugurates Bhutan's Supreme Court building |work=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> While talking about the visit, Modi said that Bhutan was a "natural choice" for his first foreign destination because of the "unique and [[Bhutan-India relations|special relationship]]" the two countries shared. He added that he was looking forward to nurture and further strengthen India's special relations with Bhutan. His entourage included Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser [[Ajit Doval]] and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.<ref name=nf14>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bhutan-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-prime-minister-narendra-modi-541836 |title=Bhutan Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi |work=NDTV |access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> He was further set to discuss the [[insurgency in Northeast India]], and China.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rajeev Sharma |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html |title=NE terror, China: What's on PM Modi's Bhutan trip agenda? |work=Firstpost |access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref>

Modi chose Nepal as one of the first few countries to visit since he assumes office which signifies the importance of Nepal in the overall neighbourhood policy of the Modi govt. He visited Kathmandu on 3–4 August 2014, the first Indian PM to visit in 17 years, where he was received by the Nepalese PM himself at the airport going against protocol.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/nepal-pm-to-break-protocol-personally-receive-modi-at-airport-1639985.html | title=Nepal PM to break protocol, personally receive Modi at airport | work=[[First Post]]|place=Kathmandu | date=30 July 2014 | access-date=30 July 2014}}</ref>{{ref|1|[Note I]}} The visit generated unprecedented enthusiasm among Nepali public and politicians as he addressed the constituent assembly of Nepal, first world leaders to do so, where pledged for US$1 billion line of credit to Nepal to support the infrastructure projects and said "Nepal can free India of its darkness with its electricity. But {{sic}} we don't want free electricity, we want to buy it. Just by selling electricity to India, Nepal can find a place in the developed countries of the world".<ref name="First">{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/narendra-modi-first-foreign-leader-to-address-nepal-parliament-39660.html | title=Narendra Modi first foreign leader to address Nepal parliament | publisher=[[India TV]]| date=26 July 2014 | access-date=28 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/live-pm-modi-arrives-in-kathmandu-on-a-2-day-visit/99/ | title=Highlights of Narendra Modi's address at Nepal Parliament | work=[[Indian Express]]| date=3 August 2014 | access-date=4 August 2014}}</ref> He also told Nepali MPs he wanted to turn India's "hostile borders benign and ultimately gateways for free trade and commerce...borders must be bridges not barriers". The ''[[Kathmandu Post]]'' reacted in writing: "Modi mantra warms Nepal's hearts."<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|last=Lakshmi |first=Rama |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/08/05/modis-speech-in-nepal-shows-india-is-paying-attention-to-its-neighbors/ |title=Modi's speech in Nepal shows India is paying attention to its neighbors |work= [[The Washington Post]]|access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> The Western medias too read it as a shift in foreign affairs for India,<ref name="nyt" /> as well as a Nepal policy shift.<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/world/asia/visit-from-indian-premier-modi-signals-a-political-shift-in-nepal.html |title= Visit From Indian Premier Signals a Political Shift in Nepal |date=4 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Harris, Gardiner}}</ref> The ''[[New York Times]]'' also suggested the lack of a meeting with former [[King Gyanendra]] signified that India would not support a return to monarchy<ref name="nytimes1" /> despite the lack of a new [[constitution of Nepal]]. The bilateral talks were focused on reviewing the [[1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship|1950s Treaty of Peace and Friendship]], India-funded 'hydroelectricity projects' in Nepal and other infrastructure projects in Nepal and enhancing people-to-people contacts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-new-beginning-with-nepal/article6238665.ece | title=A new beginning with Nepal |work=[[The Hindu]]| date=23 July 2014 | access-date=28 July 2014 | author=Sood, Rakesh}}</ref> The commonality of a majority Hindu heritage was also played up.<ref name="niti">{{cite news|url=http://www.niticentral.com/2014/08/05/narendra-modi-uses-hindu-heritage-in-nepal-diplomacy-235296.html|title=Narendra Modi uses Hindu heritage in Nepal diplomacy|work=Niticentral|access-date=6 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810034219/http://www.niticentral.com/2014/08/05/narendra-modi-uses-hindu-heritage-in-nepal-diplomacy-235296.html|archive-date=10 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He also participated in ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' at the fifth century [[Hinduism in Nepal|Hindu]] [[Pashupatinath temple|temple of Pashupatinath]] where he donated Rs. 25 [[crore]]s and the head priest, Mool Bhatta Ganesh Bhatta, said: "I told him that we see him as a mascot for Hinduism, and appreciate his efforts in saving Hindu culture".<ref name="niti" /> Further he pledged not to interfere in Nepal's internal affairs (following controversy of appointment of Indian priests at a Nepali temple).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/nepal-deplores-attack-on-indian-priests-promises-action/article177257.ece |title=Nepal deplores attack on Indian priests, promises action |work=[[The Hindu]]|date=6 September 2009 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> Prior to Modi's visit, Swaraj made a three-day visit to Nepal from 27 July 2014 and co-chaired the Indo-Nepal Joint Commission meeting and also prepared the ground for Modi's scheduled visit. The last visit by a foreign minister of India to Nepal was made 23 years before this.<ref name=nf12>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sushma-Swaraj-describes-her-Nepal-visit-very-successful/articleshow/39099488.cms |title=Sushma Swaraj describes her Nepal visit very successful |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=27 July 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014}}</ref> Later the two sides signed the much awaited Indo-Nepal '''power trade agreement''' (PTA) which could not get signed earlier during Modi's visit due to technical problem in the draft agreement. This will allow Indian private and public sector investment in hydro power development in Nepal and future power trade and transmission to India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-nepal-hold-negotiations-for-900-mw-power-project/articleshow/45050481.cms|title=India, Nepal hold negotiations for 900 MW power project |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date= 5 November 2014|access-date=4 November 2014}}</ref>

==Pakistan==