The concept of "India & its Neighborhood" is a core element of India's foreign policy, specifically articulated through the Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP). This is a foreign policy concept and strategic approach that prioritizes strengthening relations with India's immediate neighbors. The policy's genesis can be traced back to the broader neighborhood policy that has been an integral component of Indian foreign policy since 1947. However, the specific Neighbourhood First Policy was conceived in 2008 and received a significant push and intensification post-2014.
The NFP was created to ensure a peaceful and stable periphery, which is essential for India's developmental goals, and to counter the expanding influence of external powers, particularly China, in the region. It works on a consultative, non-reciprocal, and development-oriented approach, aiming to build stronger economic, political, and cultural ties. Key mechanisms include enhancing physical, digital, and people-to-people connectivity, increasing trade and investment, and providing development assistance and infrastructure projects. The policy is guided by the principles of 5S: Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), Samriddhi (prosperity), and Sanskriti (culture).
The NFP connects directly to India's engagement with its immediate neighbors: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is also related to the Gujral Doctrine of 1996, which advocated for non-reciprocity in relations with smaller neighbors. The policy is implemented through bilateral diplomacy and regional organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The policy has been consistently reaffirmed, with the commitment indicated by inviting leaders from neighboring countries to the Prime Minister's swearing-in ceremonies. While the core principle of prioritizing the neighborhood remains, the policy has been revamped since 2014 to strengthen ties through economic cooperation and addressing shared challenges, with a greater emphasis on regional and sub-regional initiatives.