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India’s Neighbourhood First Policy - UPSC International Relations
What is India’s Neighbourhood First Policy in UPSC International Relations?
India’s Neighbourhood First Policy is a key topic under International Relations for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Neighbourhood First Policy guides India's relations with its 8 immediate neighbours.. Bhutan is a key partner, with deep cultural ties and robust economic cooperation.. HICDPs/SDPs support grassroots development, building infrastructure and capacity in remote Bhutan.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is India’s Neighbourhood First Policy important for UPSC exam?
India’s Neighbourhood First Policy is a Medium-level topic in UPSC International Relations. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare India’s Neighbourhood First Policy for UPSC?
To prepare India’s Neighbourhood First Policy for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for International Relations. (5) Write practice answers linking India’s Neighbourhood First Policy to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy for UPSC
- Neighbourhood First Policy guides India's relations with its 8 immediate neighbours.
- Bhutan is a key partner, with deep cultural ties and robust economic cooperation.
- HICDPs/SDPs support grassroots development, building infrastructure and capacity in remote Bhutan.
- Hydro-power cooperation is a vital pillar, with operational (e.g., Mangdechhu), under-construction (Punatsangchhu), and joint venture (Kholongchhu) projects.
- India is Bhutan's top trade partner, underscoring strong economic interdependence and mutual benefit.
India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
Medium⏱️ 6 min read
international relations
📖 Introduction
Introduction to Neighbourhood First Policy
India's Neighbourhood First Policy is a guiding principle for managing relations with its immediate neighbours.
This policy encompasses countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The core objective is to foster mutually beneficial and proactive engagement with these nations.
India-Bhutan Bilateral Relations: A Strong Pillar
Bhutan is a significant partner, characterized by deep civilisational and cultural ties spanning centuries.
The Bhutanese refer to India as Gyagar, meaning 'the holy land,' due to Buddhism's origin in India, which is the majority religion in Bhutan.
High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs)
India has committed to supporting grassroots development in Bhutan through High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), also known as Small Development Projects (SDPs).
- These are short-gestation small projects.
- They are primarily situated in remote parts of Bhutan.
- Their aim is to create essential infrastructure and foster capacity development at the local level.
Examples of infrastructure include Farm Roads, livestock centres, and water supply and irrigation systems.
Hydro-power Cooperation: A Key Economic Pillar
Mutually beneficial hydro-power cooperation is a central element of the bilateral economic relationship between India and Bhutan.
For Bhutan, hydro-power development serves as a vital catalyst for its socio-economic development.
The framework for this cooperation is established under the 2006 inter-governmental cooperation agreement and its Protocol signed in 2009.
Operational and Under-Implementation Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs)
Currently, four hydroelectric projects (HEPs) with a combined capacity of 2136 MW are operational in Bhutan and supply electricity to India.
- The 720 MW Mangdechhu project was commissioned in August 2019 and formally handed over to Bhutan in December 2022.
Two other HEPs, namely 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I and 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II, are under various stages of implementation in an Inter-Governmental mode.
Joint Venture Hydro-Project: Kholongchhu
India and Bhutan also commissioned their first-ever joint venture project, the 500 MW Kholongchhu hydroproject.
This project aims to generate surplus hydroelectricity for Bhutan, which will then be exported to India, significantly aiding Bhutan's revenue generation and employment opportunities.
Trade Partnership
India holds the position of Bhutan's top trade partner, serving as both its primary import source and its largest export destination.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Neighbourhood First Policy guides India's relations with its 8 immediate neighbours.
- •Bhutan is a key partner, with deep cultural ties and robust economic cooperation.
- •HICDPs/SDPs support grassroots development, building infrastructure and capacity in remote Bhutan.
- •Hydro-power cooperation is a vital pillar, with operational (e.g., Mangdechhu), under-construction (Punatsangchhu), and joint venture (Kholongchhu) projects.
- •India is Bhutan's top trade partner, underscoring strong economic interdependence and mutual benefit.
🧠 Memory Techniques
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