Lok Sabha Question No. 4771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Relations with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4771

ANSWERED ON- 28/03/2025

RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

†4771. SHRI AMRA RAM

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

(a) the efforts being made by the Government of India to improve relations with the neighbouring countries; and

(b)   whether   relations   with   neighbouring   countries   have   improved   or deteriorated during the last ten years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a)   &   (b)     Government's   approach   on   building   bilateral   relations   with immediate   neighbourhood   is   driven   through   the   'Neighbourhood   First' policy.   It   essentially   focuses   on   creating   mutually   beneficial,   peopleoriented,   regional   frameworks   for   stability   and   prosperity,   including through the building of physical, digital and people to people connectivity. India engages with these countries on a consultative, non-reciprocal and

outcome-oriented basis, driven by the principles of  Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), and Samriddhi (prosperity).

The Government has been extending developmental assistance and capacity   building   initiatives,   as   per   needs   and   aspirations   of   the neighbouring   countries,   thereby   contributing   towards   their   holistic economic development. Under this approach, India has been assisting neighbouring countries on development of  large scale infrastructure to community related provisioning of assets and platforms, augmentation of capabilities   and   extending   financial,   budgetary   and   humanitarian assistance.

A very large number of initiatives and programmes have been undertaken by India within the ambit of this policy. Among them are:

(i) humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the form of food and medical aid, as well as scholarship schemes for Afghan students;

(ii)   several   development   cooperation   and   connectivity   projects   in Bangladesh in the areas of  cross-border power, energy and transport linkages;

(iii) assistance to Bhutan for capacity building and in the development of its hydropower resources, as well as cross-border connectivity linkages, including   energy,   rail   links,   road,   trade   infrastructure   and   digital connectivity;

(iv)   Development   partnership,   capacity   building,   defence   and   security cooperation, economic linkages and people-to-people ties are among the key pillars of India's relationships with Sri Lanka and Maldives. India has also adopted a joint vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' with Maldives and   'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' with Sri Lanka to deepen bilateral relations with these countries. (v)   assistance   to   Myanmar   for   several   connectivity   infrastructure development projects and capacity building, besides humanitarian relief and aid to help it recover from natural disasters; (vi) an elaborate programme of development cooperation with Nepal aimed at promoting connectivity, and developing economic, energy, digital and cultural   ties,   including   through   the   implementation   of   High   Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) in building hospitals, schools, colleges, drinking water facilities, sanitation, drainage, rural electrification, hydropower, embankment and river training works, so as to improve the overall quality of life at the local level. Further,   BIMSTEC represents the intersection of India's 'Neighbourhood First' outlook, the 'Act East Policy' and the 'SAGAR' vision with  a   specific   focus   on   the   Bay   of   Bengal region.  Through BIMSTEC, India has been strengthening its regional cooperation with the member

states on a large spectrum of issues including enhancing security, trade facilitation, improving people to people contact, establishing connectivity, promoting   institution   building,   collaboration   in   health   and   education, digital public infrastructure, capacity building, etc. India's assistance under its Neighbourhood First policy is regarded as valuable   by   our   neighbours,   ensuring   a   sustainable   basis   for   these assistance   programs   to   continue   despite   changes   in   these   countries. India's   comprehensive   and   longstanding   ties   with   its   neighbouring countries also stand on their own footing and are independent of  the relations of   these countries with third countries. Government keeps a vigilant   watch   on   all   developments   which   have   a   bearing   on   India's national security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it. India is confident about the strength and enduring nature of its bilateral ties with the neighbouring countries and will continue to work together with them  towards   advancing   bilateral   ties   for   mutual   benefit   as   well   as safeguarding India's interests in the region.

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