Neighborhood Studies looks at the range of cross-cutting issues such as political developments, economic activities, cross-border activities and foreign affairs related issues and security surfacing in its immediate neighbors – India and China – in addition to its extended neighbors such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives. The study focuses to explore and identify emerging priorities in the neighborhood and generate evidence and analysis.
Due to the health crisis generated by the COVID-19, people in bordering regions have been brought to face with some important choices. The first is between totalitarian surveillance and citizen empowerment as the state moves to introduce more restraining technologies. Though this is not fully possible in bordering regions, the other challenge to balance between local resources and their construction, to national reconstruction ...
India’s aspirations to be a leading power in the Asia-Pacific and Russia’s matching influence in Eurasia and outer Europe well converge on common ground. Emerging regional context and shifting global narratives will potentially further deepen the relations between the two nations - more by values, history and soft power, rather than just through trade, defense and commerce. ...
With the objectives to promote food security, improving the income level of farmers, import substitution and export promotion and mechanization in agriculture can be an important vehicle. Infrastructure deprived Nepal should come ahead with big infrastructure projects to soak up the daily workers and migrant workers. Other possible sectors can be small scale industries, home and medium enterprises and service sector. ...
India should respond positively to Nepal’s request for high level talks involving Foreign Secretaries and Political leadership once the COVID-19 crisis is over. The two governments should fill the communication gap as a matter of urgency ...
India has collated its security strategy with the island countries of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. These two island countries are key for India's Neighbourhood First and security policy ...
If Myanmar decides to move the China-India balancing act in favour of Beijing, post-COVID-19, Myanmar might fall into huge debt trap that might further jeopardise its economy. But India cannot compromise on Myanmar if it aims to expand its presence in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific ...
Member states must reaffirm their conviction to intensify collective efforts in realising the objective and purposes of BIMSTEC by working together for the betterment of the people of the region. With renewed political commitment of the member countries, it can be said that BIMSTEC will come over perceptible hurdles to turn into a viable regional forum. ...
Partisan approach to the issues of national concerns often lead political and constitutional crisis in the country. COVID-19 is a common enemy of human being, but unfortunately, this common enemy too could not unite the political parties of Sri Lanka and convince them to lodge a united fight leaving their political interests aside ...
The pandemic has caused suffering in Nepal as well, Chinese president Xi called the Nepalese president and offered all possible help. China has donated medical masks, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), infra rate thermometer, PCR machine, testing kits and other medical supplies to Nepal. Chinese ambassador has mediated a video conference between Nepalese and Chinese medical team that helped Nepal learn from the Chinese experience ...
Various Facets of India-Bhutan Cooperation
India has had border disputes with almost all its bordering neighbours, and while it has achieved success in mitigating its land and water disputes with countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, it still faces tensions with Pakistan, Nepal and China. The India-Bhutan model cannot be applied across bilateral relations with other countries but few facets of the successful partnership in areas of development and economic activity can be incorporated ...