Neighborhood First Policy & Act East Initiatives
India's Neighborhood First doctrine establishes priority engagement with immediate South Asian neighbors through enhanced cross-border physical infrastructure, digital connectivity, and developmental grants. This approach is exemplified by cross-border hydrocarbon pipelines with Nepal, integrated check-posts along the Bangladesh border, and swift humanitarian assistance during regional crises. Simultaneously, the Act East Policy, upgraded in 2014 from the 1991 Look East Policy, deepens economic integration, strategic defence partnerships, and socio-cultural connectivity with ASEAN member states and the wider Indo-Pacific. Complementing these initiatives, the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision reinforces maritime surveillance, anti-piracy coordination, and blue-economy collaborations across the Indian Ocean rim.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- The Act East Policy was formally unveiled at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in Myanmar in November 2014, upgrading the 1991 Look East Policy.
- The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine was enunciated by India in Mauritius in 2015 to promote maritime security.
- The Motihari-Amlekhganj cross-border oil pipeline, inaugurated in 2019, is South Asia's first transnational petroleum pipeline connecting India and Nepal.
- The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project at Rampal is a landmark bilateral energy initiative between India and Bangladesh.
- The Gujral Doctrine, formulated in 1996 by I.K. Gujral, principles that India should extend unilateral concessions to its smaller South Asian neighbors without expecting reciprocity.
- The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway is a major cross-border corridor designed to connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
- The BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed in June 2015 to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicular traffic.
- India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision was announced in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mauritius to enhance Indian Ocean maritime security.
- The Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum pipeline, inaugurated in September 2019, is South Asia's first transnational oil pipeline connecting India and Nepal.
- India and Sri Lanka signed the historic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement in February 2015, marking Sri Lanka's first bilateral nuclear agreement.
- India established the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok in 2019 to promote maritime ecology, security, and connectivity.
- The Gujral Doctrine, enunciated in 1996 by Foreign Minister I.K. Gujral, laid down five principles advocating unilateral non-reciprocal concessions to immediate South Asian neighbors.
- The Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum pipeline, inaugurated in September 2019, is South Asia's first cross-border oil pipeline, connecting India and Nepal.
- The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFP), inaugurated in March 2023, transports high-speed diesel from Numaligarh Refinery in Assam to Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
- India and Bhutan signed the historic Treaty of Friendship and Peace in 1949, which was updated in February 2007 to provide Bhutan greater autonomy in foreign and defense policy.
- India developed major hydro-electric power projects in Bhutan, including Chukha, Kurichhu, Tala, and the 720 MW Mangdechhu project, integrating power grids.
- The Mahakali Treaty was signed between India and Nepal in February 1996 for the integrated development of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and Mahakali River basin.
- The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), comprising India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mauritius, was founded to enhance regional maritime security and anti-piracy coordination.
- Operation Sanjeevani was conducted by the Indian Air Force in April 2020 to airlift 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines and hospital consumables to the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- India launched Operation Karuna in May 2023 to provide emergency relief supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar following Cyclone Mocha.
- The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) was signed in June 2015 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal to facilitate seamless passenger and cargo vehicular transit.
- The Agartala-Akhaura rail link, inaugurated in November 2023, establishes direct rail connectivity between Northeast India and southeastern Bangladesh.
- The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), established in November 2000 at Vientiane, Laos, promotes cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and transport among India and five ASEAN nations.
- The Delhi Dialogue, initiated in 2009, serves as the premier annual Track 1.5 dialogue to discuss political, economic, and security relations between India and ASEAN.
- The Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine was unveiled in 2015 at Mauritius to outline India's strategic maritime vision across the Indian Ocean Region.
- India's 'Neighborhood First' policy prioritizes physical connectivity, digital linkages, economic integration, and development assistance with immediate South Asian neighbors.
- The 'Gujral Doctrine', articulated in 1996 by External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral, principles non-reciprocity and mutual trust in India's relations with South Asian neighbors.
- Under the Act East Policy, India transitioned from economic engagement under 'Look East' (1991) to strategic, security, and institutional integration with the Indo-Pacific region.
- The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a 1,360 km cross-border transport project connecting Moreh in Manipur (India) with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
- The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and further to Zorinpui in Mizoram.
- India and Bangladesh operationalized the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (1320 MW) at Rampal, financed under an Indian concessional Line of Credit.
- The Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, inaugurated in November 2023, establishes direct rail connectivity between Northeast India and southeastern Bangladesh.
- The historic India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) was operationalized through the 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015, exchanging 162 enclaves.
- Under the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, updated in 2007, India and Bhutan maintain close cooperation on foreign policy, security, and hydroelectric development.
- Hydroelectric projects developed in Bhutan with Indian assistance include the Tala (1,020 MW), Chukha (336 MW), Kurichhu (60 MW), and Mangdechhu (720 MW) projects.
- The Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Attari, Petrapole, Raxaul, Jogbani, and Moreh facilitate seamless cross-border trade and passenger movement with neighboring countries.
- The BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed in June 2015 to facilitate seamless regional cross-border vehicular movement.
- The Mahakali Treaty, signed in 1996 between India and Nepal, provides for the integrated development of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and Sarada and Tanakpur barrages.
- India provided financial and humanitarian assistance under 'Operation Sanjeevani' in 2020 to supply essential medicines to the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Operation Cactus (1988) was an Indian military intervention in the Maldives to neutralize a coup attempt against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
- The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), founded by India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives (later joined by Mauritius), enhances regional maritime security and anti-piracy coordination.
- India built the Salma Dam (officially the Afghan-India Friendship Dam) in Herat Province and the Afghan Parliament building in Kabul as development assistance.
- The Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran, specifically the Shahid Beheshti terminal, is operated by India to provide direct transit access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200 km multi-modal freight network linking India, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia to northern Europe.
- India and ASEAN elevated their bilateral relationship to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh in November 2022.
- The Delhi Dialogue is a premier annual track 1.5 forum hosted by India since 2009 to discuss political, economic, and strategic cooperation with ASEAN member states.
- India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992, a Full Dialogue Partner in 1995, and joined the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.
- The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was founded in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, headquartered in Dhaka.
- BIMSTEC bridges South and Southeast Asia, comprising seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- The East Asia Summit (EAS), established in 2005 with India as a founding member, serves as the premier Indo-Pacific leaders' forum for strategic dialogue.
Sample Solved Questions & Concept Explanations
8 Verified Concept QuestionsThe 'Look East Policy', which aimed to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian nations, was first initiated in 1991 under the prime ministership of which leader?
The acronym 'SAGAR', unveiled as India's maritime vision for the Indian Ocean Region during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2015 visit to Mauritius, stands for which of the following?
The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects the Indian seaport of Kolkata with the port of Sittwe in which neighbouring Southeast Asian nation?
The historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 2015, which resolved long-standing enclave disputes and demarcated a 4,096 km border between India and Bangladesh, was enacted through which Constitutional Amendment Act?
The historic 'Panchsheel' (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) was first formally signed in 1954 in an agreement between India and which neighbouring country?
Which foreign policy doctrine formulated in 1996 advocated that India should extend unilateral non-reciprocal concessions to its smaller South Asian neighbours in good faith?
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was founded in 1997 through which founding declaration?
What was the name of the massive relief and rescue operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces in Nepal following the devastating April 2015 earthquake?