Lok Sabha Question No. 97 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Vision for SAGAR
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 97 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## Vision For SAGAR

## *97. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding 'Neighbourhood First Policy', 'Act East Policy', 'Think West Policy' and the 'Connect Central Asia Policy';
- (b) whether these policies contributed to the realisation of the Government's vision for SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the concrete and intangible advantages that our country has gained as a result of the successful conclusion of the G-20 Presidency; and
- (d) the specifics of Operation Kaveri, Operation Ganga and Operation Ajay.

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *97 for reply on 08.12.2023 regarding Vision for SAGAR asked by Shri Rajendra Dhedya Gavit and Dr. (Prof.) Kirit Premjibhai Solanki.

(a) to (d):

- i. 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 .
- ii. 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.
- iii. 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 Middle Income Countries.
- iv. Under Operation Kaveri, Indian Government evacuated 4097 persons stranded in Sudan in April-May 2023. Out of the 4097 persons evacuated from Sudan, 3961 were Indian nationals and 136 were foreign nationals.
- v. Around 22,500 Indian nationals returned to India from Ukraine in February and March 2022.  Out of this, under Operation Ganga, 18,282 Indian nationals were brought back from Ukraine in 90 evacuation flights, of which 76 by commercial airlines and 14 by Indian Air Force.
- vi. Under Operation Ajay, a total of 1343 persons were repatriated from Israel in 6 charter flights in October 2023. Out of these 1343 persons, 1309 were Indian citizens, 14 were OCI card holders and 20 were Nepalese citizens.

*****

## Neighbourhood First Policy

## ANNEXURE-A

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, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Commission, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, 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.

## 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-topeople 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.

*****