India's Grand Strategy: Shifting Focus Beyond 'Neighbourhood First'

India is redefining its regional diplomacy by moving beyond the traditional 'Neighbourhood First' policy. This strategic recalibration reflects a pragmatic approach to adapting to regional realities while prioritizing national interests. The shift underscores India's evolving foreign policy, which now emphasizes bilateral engagements and broader regional frameworks.

The 'Neighbourhood First' policy, once central to India's diplomatic efforts, focused on creating mutually beneficial frameworks for stability and prosperity within South Asia. However, recent developments indicate a departure from this approach. India has shown reduced interest in non-reciprocal policies and regional institutions like SAARC, instead favoring connectivity initiatives with individual states and the BIMSTEC region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits post-re-election highlight this shift, with only 5% directed towards neighboring countries. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visits to South Asia accounted for 11%, while a significant 26% were focused on the Middle East. This data underscores India's growing emphasis on aligning interests with extended neighbors and global partners.

India's willingness to adapt to an imperfect South Asian neighborhood and its focus on creating regional frameworks signal a strategic pivot. By prioritizing interests over magnanimity, India aims to navigate the complexities of regional dynamics and strengthen its position on the global stage.

Sources: Hindustan Times, MSN News, The Hindu.