INDIA'S NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY (NFP)

Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP)

• The Neighbourhood First came into being around 2008.
• Under its India is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours.
• It is a dynamic policy that adjusts to our new interests in the region and evolving regional circumstances.

Objects 

• It aims to build strong neighbourhood relations based on a consultative, non-reciprocal and result-oriented approach.
• Focuses on providing benefits such as greater connectivity, better infrastructure, stronger development cooperation in various sectors, security and wider people-to-people contacts. 

Principle of neighbourhood engagement (5 S)

• Samman (Respect)
• Samvad (Dialogue)
• Shanti (Peace)
• Samriddhi (Prosperity)
• Sanskriti (Culture) 

Significance of NFP in Present time

Strategic

• Enhancing regional integration in South Asia is important to counter external influence such as China and promote India's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• it is also important for India to raise its voice for reform of the global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, WTO, etc.

Strengthening Multilateralism

• This will help in strengthening multilateralism through regional/sub-regional organizations like SAARC, BIMSTEC etc. 

Economic

• It will boost regional trade, investment and cross-border infrastructure, leading to economic growth, job creation and improved quality of life.
• Ensuring India’s energy security is also important, especially in the context of its northern neighbours – Nepal and Bhutan – which have significant hydropower potential. 

Regional stability and security

• Improved trust and cooperation builds capacity to deal with traditional and non-traditional (resource scarcity, illegal migration, climate change, etc.) security threats.
• Cooperation with respect to counter-terrorism efforts, counter-insurgency operations, transnational organized crimes, etc. is important to ensure the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. 

Soft Power

• India's rich cultural and historical relations with its neighbors help promote its diverse cultural values and soft power influence in the region. 

Challenges in India's Neighbourhood 

Historical burdens and unresolved disputes

• Unresolved border disputes with countries such as Pakistan often result in tensions and mistrust.

India's capabilities and resources

• Delayed implementation of development projects can lead to frustration, distrust and diminish India's influence in the region.

Dynamics in neighbouring countries

• Political instability, weak governance and internal conflicts hinder sustainable cooperation and the implementation of long-term projects. For example, political instability in Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Multilateralism

• Dysfunctional regional multilateral institutions such as SAARC, affected by India-Pakistan tensions, limiting their ability to promote regional cooperation.

Security Concerns

• The existence of permeable borders, support from neighboring countries like Pakistan and the rise of militancy in the region contribute to the emergence of terrorist activities within India.
• Additionally, India's proximity to the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent increases its drug trafficking problems. 

Key Recommendations by the Parliamentary Committee for Making India’s NFP More Effective?

Implementation of developmental projects

• MEA should establish a Cell to identify specific initiatives, projects and programmes to be taken up by various Ministries and Departments with our neighbouring countries.
• Strengthen Joint Project Monitoring Committees and Oversight Mechanisms for monitoring progress of various development assistance projects for their timely execution.

Border infrastructure and connectivity

• Increased investment, pooling of resources and above all, convergence of everybody's interest and focus by various central agencies for regional infrastructure development of the border areas.
• MEA should work in close coordination with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state governments to address illegal migration and monitor demographic changes in border areas. 

Cultural and People-to-People connect

• Scale-up academic cooperation, special scholarships schemes and exchanges in the fields of performing/fine arts undertaken by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• Promote investment in tourism, including medical tourism under the NFP. 

Bilateral and multilateral/ regional framework

• Periodic review on the basis of contemporary realities and upgrade, strengthen and energize these mechanisms on a continuous basis.

Synergy with Act East Policy

• The Ministry of External Affairs will maintain synergy between the NFP and the Act East Policy, as it has significant potential to bring connectivity, economic growth and security in the North Eastern region.