India and Neighbours: Need to improve relations

 

India and Neighbours

 Need to improve relations

Till the beginning of 21^st century general perception of the Indians was that the security and military threat for India would come from India’s western neighbour, Pakistan. But, in the present scenario one has to say that instead of Pakistan, China is throwing major challenge for India in this regard. No doubt, China has invaded India in 1962 and totally killed the slogan of ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’. The things started improving at least on certain extent since the times of Deng Xioping. His successors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also more or less followed the policy initiated by Deng. Since 2013 when Xi Jinping took over as the Chinese President things are changing drastically. He is following aggressive foreign policy not only in respect with India but also other neighbours such as Vietnam and Taiwan and Western Powers like United States of America and select European countries. The relations between China and Canada are also deteriorating very fast. China is creating artificial islands in South China Sea. It is not only a major security threat to the countries located in that area but also may lead to environmental problems. It would  definitely endanger marine life in South China Sea in the years to come.

For any country it is quite crucial to maintain and promote cordial relations with neighbouring countries. It is necessary for promoting one’s own economic and overall development.  When a country enjoys peaceful relations with its neighbours then it can cut down on military spending and could use that money and resources for developmental purposes. If, a country does not have healthy equation with surrounding countries then always there is a looming danger of either invasion or military disturbances from them. This hypothesis is hundred percent correct in respect with Pakistan. Since, the creation of Pakistan in 1947 it has not left a single moment for creating trouble for India. India was forced to fight three major wars by Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and 1999. In 1965 the Prime Minister of India was Lal Bahadur Shastri, when 1971 Indo-Pak war was fought Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India and in 1999 when Kargil war erupted Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India. Apart from these three full-fledged wars Pakistan has imposed continuous proxy war on India by exporting terrorism. India has always tried and is still  trying its level best to not to disturb Pakistan. But  our western neighbour is not giving up any chance to create troubles for India, especially by carrying out terrorist activities on Indian soil. In order to deal with Pakistan it is needed to put tremendous pressure of international community and put economic sanctions on it. If, done so then only it would stop to bother India. In order to do it India needs to work overtime and convince the international community and agencies like UNO and alliances like European Union, of course USA also should help India in this regard because the relations between India and America are steadily improving during the Narendra Modi era.

India’s immediate neighbours are Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. As far as these countries are concerned they don’t pose direct military threat to us, at least for the time being. But, we face other issues vis-à-vis these countries. For instance, in respect with Bangladesh we have the problem of lots of Bangladeshi migrants coming to India. Sri Lanka since last few years is going closer to China and whenever there is instability or some disturbance in this island country many Sri Lankan refugees arrive in India. Nepal is also moving closer to China rapidly and building strategic relationship with Dragon. Definitely, it is alarming situation for us. Nowadays Nepal is talking about border disputes and we have some differences about water resources (rivers) with Nepal. In order to navigate these problems India needs to devise a long term policy to deal with its neighbours and bring them back in Indian fold. One has to convince these countries about the benefits they would reap by having healthy and harmonious relationship with India, especially the economic advantages. By promoting economic cooperation, investing in developmental projects in these countries and giving economic aid to them this goal could be achieved. It would definitely be one of the best ways to woo these countries and to attract them in Indian camp.