PRESENTATION ON THE TOPIC:

INDIA’S POLICY TOWARDS THE SOUTH ASIA.

SUBJECT:- POLITICAL SCIENCE

PAPER:- INDIA ’S FOREIGN POLICY IN GLOBALIZING
WORLD(DSE)

BY:- DARSANA SARMA

B.A. 6TH SEM
 CONTENT
METHODOLOGY
OBJECTIVES
• INTRODUCTION
• REGIONAL ORGANIZATION
• INDIA ’S POLICY TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA
• MAJOR AREAS OF TENSION AND CONFLICT
• MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN INDIA ’S POLICY
TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA
• CONCLUSION
 METHODOLOGY
SECONDARY METHODOLOGY
DESCRIPTIVE METHODOLOGY
 OBJECTIVE
EXPLORING THE SOUTH ASIAN REGION
TO STUDY ABOUT THE REGIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
ANALYZE THE KEY POLICIES
SUGGEST MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN INDIA ’S
POLICY TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA
 INTRODUCTION
South Asia, subregion of Asia, consisting of the Indo- Gangetic plain and
peninsular India. It includes eight states, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives. South Asia has a total area of
5.2 million sq. Km, which is 10% of the Asian continent. The population of south
Asia is estimated to be 2.04 billion or about one-fourth of the world's population,
making it both the most populous and the most densely populated geographical
region in the world. India is largest country in south Asia, by both land area and
population. While the Maldives is the smallest country in south Asia.
Several regional organizations are established like SAARC, BIMSTEC and
SAFTA, that helps in economic growth, cooperation, security, and development.
REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
 MAJOR POLICIES INDIA TOOK TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA

 NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY

Under this policy India committed to

developing friendly and mutually
beneficial relations with all its
neighbouring states. It prioritizes
enhancing connectivity,
infrastructure, Development
cooperation, and fostering greater
people-to-people contacts.
Act east policy(2014- present;
successor to Look east policy):
This policy emphasized
action- oriented engagement with
southeast Asia. The act east policy
promotes the four C4- Culture,
connectivity, commerce and
capacity building.

BBIN initiative(2015-present):
BBIN is a sub-regional agreement
between four south Asian states,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. It
aims to improve economic growth and
connectivity in the region. BBIN Motor
Vehicles Agreement signed in 2015
under BBIN Initiatives, allowing
seamless movement of passengers,
 Humanitarian and disaster relief(2004-present):

2004 Indian ocean tsunami- India provided relief to Sri Lanka,

Maldives, and Indonesia.
2015 Nepal earthquake- India launched Operation Maitri, sending
rescue teams, medical aids, and relief materials.
Vaccine Maitri initiative- India supplied vaccines to Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan ,SriLanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
 Hydropower and energy cooperation agreement:

India collaborates with Nepal and Bhutan for hydropower generation,

investment, and cross-border electricity trade. Power trade
agreement(2014) between India and Nepal, allows unrestricted electricity
trade. Bhutan exports over 75% of its hydropower to India. India exports
1,160 MV of electricity to Bangladesh through various transmission lines.
 MAJOR AREAS OF TENSION AND CONFLICT:
• India and Pakistan- Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan’s control
remains a core concern in bilateral relations. Kashmir issue.
• India and Bangladesh- construction and operation of the Farakka barrage by India
to increase water supply in the river Hoogly. Teen bigha corridor to Bangladesh.
Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.
• India and Nepal- territorial disputes include Kalapani at India-Nepal-China tri-
junction in western Nepal and southern Nepal. Madheshi crisis, Nepal’s 2015
constitution marginalized Madheshis in terms of political representation, citizenship
rights and federal boundaries. Nepal accused India for unofficial blockade.
• India and Sri Lanka- fishermen issue, involving Tamil Nadu fishermen crossing into
Sri Lankan water for fishing. India transferred Katchhatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974,
but Indian fishermen still enters these water, claiming traditional rights.
• India and Maldives: India out campaign(2020s), several Maldivian political groups
calls for the removal of removal of Indian military personnel stationed in the
MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN INDIA ’S
POLICY TOWARDS SOUTH ASIA

• PROMOTE BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL DIALOGUE.

• REVITALIZE SAARC.
• WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE
CHANGE.
• ADDRESSING SECURITY AND BORDER ISSUES
 CONCLUSION
India's foreign policy concerning south Asia has been framed
within its understanding of regional stability, economic integration,
and diplomatic leadership. Through the policies like
“Neighbourhood first" policy, Act east policy and organizations like
SAARC and BIMSTEC India tries to foster cooperation, resolve
conflicts, and promote shared prosperity. Challenges such as border
disputes, illegal immigration, and external influences require a
balanced approach. For the overall development of the south asia the
member countries should give emphasis on sustained diplomacy,
economic engagement, and mutual trust-building
 REFERENCES
BORTHAKUR , P. P., DAS , J., SARKER , T., & SONOWAL , S.
K. (2023). INDIA ’S FOREIGN POLICY IN GLOBALIZING
WORLD. SARASWATI PRAKASHAN.
 https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-edito
rials/india-and-south-asia

https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-edito
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 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_East_policy