BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN INDIA AND INDIA’S NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY: CONTINUITY OR CHANGE?

Author: Monzima Haque

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2014v35n4a2

ABSTRACT

Maintaining harmony and peace in South Asia has been a crucial intent not only of India but also of its South Asian neighbours. Nevertheless, sustaining stable relationships among New Delhi and its South Asian neighbours have had remained a formidable challenge. Following May 2014 national election, a new government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed office in India. The new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, renowned for his impressive management of Gujarat’s economy as Chief Minister is now the leader of the one billion plus population. New developments, especially inviting all South Asian leaders in Indian Prime Minister’s oath-taking ceremony and choosing South Asian Himalayan countries for opening foreign visits, have stirred up euphoria regarding possibilities of re-energising the flagging discourse of South Asian neighbourhood. Building on these evolving scenarios, this paper looks into India’s South Asian neighbourhood discourse in the context of new government’s accession to power in India. Taking up the early days conducts of the new Prime Minister into consideration, the paper reveals that although the style of the new government to deal with neighbours may reflect changes, the overall objective management of India’s regional relations is unlikely to deviate much.