6. India and Its other Neighbours

INDIA AND ITS OTHER NEIGHBOURS

• Bangladesh:
•  
• 1^st conflict – sharing of river water of Brahmaputra and Ganga river waters.
• Indian government does not like

1. Denial off Bangladesh on illegal immigration of people to India.
2. Its support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups.
3. Bangladesh’s refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory.
4. Bangladesh’s decision not let India/Myanmar to export natural gas through its territories.

• Bangladesh government feels that

1. Indian government behaves like a regional bully over sharing river
2. Indian government’s encouragement of rebellion in Chittagong Hill tracts.
3. Indian government is trying to extract its natural gas and being unfair in trade.

• Economic relations of both the countries have improved considerably.
• Bangladesh is part of India’s Look East policy.
• Both the countries have regularly cooperated on disaster management and environmental issues.
• In 2015, they have also exchanged certain enclaves

• Nepal
• Both the countries have a special relation.
•  A treaty between two countries allows the citizens of both the countries to travel and work in the other country without visas and passports.
• Conflicts:

1. India does not like the warm relationship between Nepal and China.
2. India also does not like Nepal government’s no action against anti-Indian elements.
3. Indian security agencies see the Maoist movement in Nepal as a security threat.
4. Nepal citizens/government feel that Indian government interferes in Nepal’s internal affairs, has its design on its river-waters.
5. Nepal government also feels Indian government stops Nepal from getting easier access to the sea through Indian territories.

• Despite all the differences, trade, natural resources etc. hold the two countries together.
• Sri Lanka

1. The difficulties in the relationship between both the governments of both the countries are over ethnic conflicts.
2. Indian leaders cannot remain neutral when Tamils in the Sri Lanka are unhappy and are being killed.
3. After military intervention in 1987, the Indian government stick to the policy of disengagement vis- à-vis Sri Lanka’s internal troubles.
4. India has signed a free trade agreement.
5. India’s help in post-tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka has also brought the two countries closer.

• Bhutan

1. Both have a special relationship.
2. The efforts by Bhutanese monarch to throw out the militants and guerrillas from their country has been helpful to India.
3. India is also involved in big hydroelectric projects in Bhutan and remains Himalayan kingdom’s biggest source of development aid.

• Maldives

1. They have a good and warm relations.
2. In November 1988, Maldives requested India to help stop invasion by Tamil mercenaries and it reacted quickly to its request and helped.
3. India has also contributed toward the island’s economic development, fisheries etc.

• Majorly conflicts of India and other countries is because of the geography of the region, as India is situated centrally and is therefore the only country that borders others.

Peace and Cooperation

• SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), it is initiative by the South Asian states to cooperate through multilateral means
• SAARC begun in 1985.
• SAARC member signed the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA), it promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.
• SAFTA was signed in 2004 and came into effect on 1 January 2006.
• Objectives SAFTA:
  •  

1. Establishing free trade regime in South Asia
2. Lowering trade tariffs.

• India believes that there are economic benefits of for all from SAFTA.
• Some in India also think that as India already has bilateral agreements with Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka so it is not worth the trouble.
• Cooperation of India-Pakistan:
  •  

1. Friendly atmosphere
2. Confidence building measures have been taken by both countries.
3. Both countries attend summits, UN meeting to better understand each other’s problem and find solution accordingly.
4. Bus routes (2005) has started between India and Pakistan.
5. Visa’s are also given easily.

• China and the United States are key players of South Asian politics.
• Sino-Indian relations has improved in last 10 years, but China’s partnership with Pakistan is a major irritant.
• Demands of development has brought China and United States together and economic ties have multiplied rapidly since 1991.
• The US is also a moderator in India-Pakistan relations.

SAARC

• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, it was established with the signing of SAARC charter in Dhaka in 1985.
• Founding member of SAARC:
  •  

1. Bangladesh
2. Bhutan
3. India
4. Maldives
5. Nepal
6. Pakistan
7. Sri Lanka

• Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007
• Its permanent headquarter is in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Objectives of SAARC:
  •  

1. To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
2. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potential.
3. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
4. To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another problems
5. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.