Question

Strategic relationship of india with its neighbouring countries

Answer 1

India's neighbourhood which the member-countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka comprise, is a fairly complex geographical entity. ... In fact India can be said to be living in a dangerous neighbourhood.

Answer 2

India has adopted a foreign policy of neutrality and non-involvement.

India and China:

When the Communists came to power in China, India had welcomed the change and was one of the first countries to recognise her. She also advocated China’s admission to the UN.



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In 1954, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Chinese Prime Minister, Chou- en-lai, had signed the “Panchsheel” agreement.

They adopted five principles:

1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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2. Mutual non-aggression.

3. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

4. Equality and mutual benefit.

5. Peaceful coexistence.

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In spite of this, in 1962, China attacked India in the North-East and occupied a part of Indian Territory. The war ended soon but relations between India and China remained strained for a long time to come.

The visits of the Indian Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi (in 1988) and Narasimha Rao (in 1993) to China have improved the situation to some extent. Several trade agreements have also been signed. But it is not an easy task to restore peace and mutual trust between the two countries.

India and South Asia:

South Asia comprises the countries lying to the south of the Himalayas and the Hindukush mountains. India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the countries belonging to the region. Most of these countries were previously ruled by the British. They have similar cultures, social habits and economic problems.

All these countries face problems arising out of overpopulation, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy etc. It is believed that these countries of South Asia could progress fast only through cooperation with each other and by devising common plans for development. This concept led to the formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with the objective of mutual economic and social development.

The South Asian Association:

The late President Zia-ur-Rehman of Bangladesh first proposed the setting up of a regional body, countries, held discussions on the need for cooperation among them and identified several areas where cooperation was urgently needed.

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The Foreign Ministers of these seven South Asian countries studied these proposals. The first South the SAARC Asian summit held in Dhaka in 1985 marked the formation of the SAARC.

It’s Objectives:

The Dhaka Declaration states its objective as the making of “the full use of all the human and natural resources and accelerate the economic and social development of the region”.

Broadly speaking, the objectives are:

1. Strengthening economic cooperation so as to improve the quality of life of the people of South Asia;

2. Increasing the pace of economic growth;

3. Giving mutual assistance and cooperation in areas like agriculture, scientific development, etc.; and

4. Promoting social progress and cultural development.

It was made clear from the very beginning that no member state would interfere in the internal affairs of another. Only those matters would be discussed which concerned all the member states.

After the formation of the SAARC, a number of summits were held. Each summit undertook several specific programmes. The South Asian Preferable Trade Agreement (SAPTA) was signed to inaugurate a new era of economic cooperation in South Asia. India hosted the first festival of the SAARC countries in 1992. Artists, musicians and dancers from all the SAARC countries participated in the festival.

The first SAARC Trade Fair was held in New Delhi in 1996. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and India participated in the fair.

Achievements:

The progress of regional cooperation among the SAARC countries was slow. Yet a few noteworthy developments took place.

1. It established a cultural link among the SAARC countries. The SAVE (SAARC Audio-Visual Exchange programme) was launched in 1987 to make people aware of one another’s cultures and make them conscious of the need for cultural exchange. Regular monthly programmes on radio and television are contributed by each member country.

2. The SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism came into force in August 1988. The members also signed a SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1990 to combat the problem of drug trafficking and drug abuse.

3. A SAARC Trade Fair with the theme “Cooperation for Growth” was organized in New Delhi.

4. The South Asian Federation (SAF) Games are held by turn in each of the member countries.

It is difficult for the SAARC to achieve its objectives because of internal dissent. There are differences between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism. India also has a dispute with Bangladesh over the sharing of river waters and strained relations with Sri Lanka on Tamil militancy.