Browsing by Author "Bhat, Archit"

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    India’s Contemporary Neighbourhood Policy in the Context of its Relationships with Nepal and Bangladesh : The China Factor
    (National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2022-11-26) Bhat, Archit; Prof. Babu Mathew, - Supervisor
    India’s policy towards the South Asian neighbourhood has always been stated to be the bedrock of India’s foreign policy and the primary aspect of its forecasted rise as a major power. However, in practice, this has not always translated into meaningful and consistent dialogue and engagement with the countries of the neighbourhood. At various points, the political, ideological and economic priorities of the Indian government have drawn the country into international power equations and geopolitics. This has meant that engagement with the smaller countries of the neighbourhood like Nepal and Bangladesh has been driven by India’s international priorities. Therefore, there is a perception that the concerns and aspirations of these countries have been sidelined. In this context, the Narendra Modi led government came up with the 'Neighbourhood First' policy in 2014, hoping to prioritize and deepen engagement with the friendly countries of the South Asian neighbourhood by understanding and working on their concerns. What are the different perspectives of national interest that influence bilateral relations? What are the major challenges and opportunities in front of contemporary Indian policymakers as they frame policy to engage with the neighbourhood? How can India maintain its position of preeminence in the face of China’s growing presence in the region? This dissertation attempts to answer these questions in the context of the two friendly neighbours considered most central to India’s interests in South Asia.