Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Neighbourhood First Policy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-157 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY

## 157. PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to focus on capacity building to promote India's interest on the global stage;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken for the same;
- (c) the details of the 'Neighborhood First Policy', Act East Policy, Think West Policy and the connect Central Asia Policy;
- (d) the extent to which these policies have helped the Government's vision of SAGAR;
- (e)   whether   our   country   has   achieved   the   tangible   and   intangible benefits due to the successful culmination of G-20 Presidency; and (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)

(a & b) Yes. The Government focuses on capacity building for countries of the Global South and other partner-nations, to promote India's interest on the global stage through our comprehensive development partnership initiatives,   which   form   a   core   element   of   our   foreign   policy.   Our development   cooperation   is   based   on   the   principles   of   South-South cooperation and is marked by our focus on need-based human-centric development. Capacity building assistance is an important strand of India's development partnerships and is delivered under the flagship Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.  Around

160   countries   avail   these   scholarships   annually.   More   than   14,000 training   slots   are   offered   each   year   for   both   civilian   and   defence courses. More than 300 short-term fully funded courses are offered every year through a wide range of  general as well as customized courses as per the specific requests of partner countries. Training slots on   a   regional   basis   are   also   offered   to   Secretariats   of   regional organizations   to   nominate   candidates   from   their   member   countries. Further, as part of a renewed impetus, for the first time in 2023-24, ITEC has developed region-focused packages of  capacity building courses. The two most prominent packages are the SAGAR AMRUT package developed   for   Pacific   Island   Countries  and   the  Quad   Infrastructure Fellowships   (QIF)   package   focusing   on   infrastructure   development related capacity building programmes for countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The Government is committed to enhance our capacity building outreach as per the requests and requirements of partner countries.

(c to f) A key focus of India's foreign policy remains its immediate and extended neighbourhood. India's historical and civilizational ties with countries   in   the   region   continue   to   guide   our   approach   to   our neighbourhood and beyond. The 'Neighbourhood First Policy', 'Act East Policy', 'Think West Policy', 'Connect Central Asia Policy' and the vision of   SAGAR,   which   is,   Security   and   Growth   for   all   in   the   Region, respectively seek to comprehensively enhance our engagement with relevant   countries.   The   details   of these   policies   are   placed at Annexure A.

India's G20 Presidency imparted a new dynamism and momentum to G20 and   built   consensus   among   developing   countries   and   advanced economies   on   a   wide   range   of   global   issues.   During   India's   G20 Presidency,   over   220   meetings   in   40   different   mechanisms   were successfully held in 60 cities across India, covering all States and Union Territories. Delegates from G20 member countries, Guest countries and invited   International   Organizations   participated   in   these   meetings. Unique experiences showcasing India's diversity, inclusive traditions and cultural richness were also a part of the delegates' programme in these meetings.

India also amplified the voice and concerns of  the Global South and developing countries in shaping the agenda and deliberations of the G20 Summit. India strongly advocated for the membership of  the African Union and consequently the African Union was inducted into the G20 as a permanent member at the New Delhi G20 Summit in September 2023. The  G20   New   Delhi   G20   Leaders'   Declaration   (NDLD)   was   adopted

unanimously at the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on 09 September 2023 and the Declaration addresses a wide range of issues of concern to countries from across the world, including those of the Global South. The  Declaration   also   noted   India-led   initiatives   such   as   the   Global Biofuels Alliance, aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, including in the transportation sector and One Future Alliance a voluntary initiative aimed to build capacity, and provide   technical   assistance   and   adequate   funding   support   for implementing Digital   Public   Infrastructure   (DPI)   in   Low-   and   MiddleIncome Countries.

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## Neighbourhood First Policy

India's   'Neighbourhood   First   policy'   guides   its   approach   towards   the management of relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood, that  is,   Afghanistan,   Bangladesh,   Bhutan,   Maldives,   Myanmar,   Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Neighbourhood First policy, inter alia, is aimed at enhancing physical, digital and people to people connectivity across the region, as well as augmenting trade and commerce. This policy has evolved into an institutional priority for all the relevant arms of   the   Government   managing   relations   and   policies   with   our neighbourhood.

## Act East Policy

With   the   objective   to   further   strengthen   ties   with   countries   of   the Southeast Asian region, India's 'Look East Policy' launched in 1992, was upgraded to the 'Act East Policy' in 2014, with proactive and pragmatic focus on the extended neighbourhood in the Indo-Pacific region. The objective of India's Act East Policy is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and developing strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The 'Act East Policy' recognizes connectivity, in its broadest sense, as the key for growth and prosperity of  the region, which   includes   physical,   digital,   economic,   and   people-to-people movement.   India's   relationship   with   the   Association   of   South-East Nations (ASEAN) is at the core of India's 'Act East Policy'. Further, along with strengthening bilateral ties with the countries of the region, India has also enhanced its engagement in various multilateral and plurilateral institutions in the region, such as, ASEAN, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Defence   Ministers   Meeting   plus,   ASEAN   Regional   Forum,   Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum, QUAD, among others.

## Think West Policy

India's outreach to the Gulf and West Asian countries has become an increasingly   important   pillar   of   its   foreign   policy.   This   region   has traditionally been important for India's energy security. The welfare of the Indian Diaspora in the region is also a high priority. Under the 'Think West   Policy',   India's   ties   with   these   countries   have   moved   beyond conventional areas of cooperation. Relations with countries in West Asia have continued to deepen through sustained high-level visits, increased trade and investment and strengthening of relations in areas including energy,   security,   defence,   culture,   education,   health,   and   enhanced investments.

## ANNEXURE-A

## Connect Central Asia Policy

The 'Connect Central Asia Policy' envisages a deep, meaningful and sustained engagement with the Central Asian region. This has been implemented   by   the   continuous   efforts   taken   in   this   direction,   in particular,   the   institutionalization   of   the   'India-Central   Asia   Summit' mechanism. The 'Connect Central Asia Policy' also focuses on leveraging India's historical and civilizational connections with the Central Asian region and strengthening strategic and security cooperation, capacity building, economic and commercial cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and people-to-people ties.

## SAGAR

The 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) concept was first articulated by the Prime Minister in Mauritius in 2015. Under this concept,   India   envisages   a   free,   open,   inclusive,   peaceful,   and prosperous   Indo-Pacific   region,   one   which   is   built   on   a   rules-based international order, sustainable and transparent infrastructure investment,   freedom   of   navigation   and   overflight,   unimpeded   lawful commerce,   mutual   respect   for   sovereignty,   peaceful   resolution   of disputes, as well as equality of all nations. Guided by SAGAR, India is making   concrete   contributions   in   connectivity,   capacity   building, disaster management, enhancing people to people exchanges, promoting sustainable   development,   creating   awareness   on   illegal,   unreported, unregulated fishing, enhancing maritime safety and security as well as strengthening   underwater   domain   awareness   in   the   Indian   Ocean Region.

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