India’s interactions with its South Asian neighbors are intricate and diverse, marked by collaboration and conflict. Important topics consist of distribution of water with Bangladesh, border disputes with Nepal, and ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka. Despite these obstacles, India has established strong connections with Bhutan and Maldives and engages actively in regional efforts such as SAARC and SAFTA to enhance economic cooperation. Nevertheless, the strategic interests of both China and the United States also play a role in shaping regional dynamics.

Key Relationship

Bangladesh: The governments of India and Bangladesh have had differences over several issues including sharing of Ganga and Brahmaputra River waters.

• Accusations of Support for Anti-India Elements: The Indian government has been unhappy with Bangladesh’s denial of illegal immigration to India, and its support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Bangladesh’s refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to northeastern India, and its decision not to export natural gas to India.
• Nepal: Nepal and India enjoy a very special relationship. A treaty between two countries allows citizens of two countries to travel to and work in other countries without visas and passports.
• • India’s Concerns About Nepal-China Ties: The Indian government has often expressed displeasure at the warm relationship between Nepal and China and at Nepal government’s inaction against anti-Indian elements.
  • Nepalese Perceptions of Indian Interference: Many leaders and citizens in Nepal think that the Indian government interferes in its internal affairs, has designs on its river waters and hydroelectricity, and prevents Nepal, a landlocked country, from getting easier access to the sea through Indian territory.
• Sri Lanka: The difficulties in the relationship between the governments of India and Sri Lanka are mostly due to ethnic conflict in the island nation.
  • Policy of Disengagement: After the military intervention in 1987, the Indian government now prefers a policy of disengagement vis-à-vis Sri Lanka’s internal troubles.
  • Free Trade Agreement: India signed a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka, which strengthened relations between the two countries.
    • India’s help in post-tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka has also brought the two countries closer.
• Bhutan: India enjoys a very special relationship with Bhutan too and does not have any major conflict with Bhutanese government. 
  • The efforts made by Bhutanese monarch to weed out the guerrillas and militants from northeastern India that operate in his country have been helpful to India.
• Maldives: India and Maldives also have a good relationship. 
  • India had provided military support to Maldives in 1969 when a mercenary Tamil soldier from Sri Lanka attacked Maldives.

Peace and Cooperation

SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve cooperation through multilateral means. It began in 1985.

• SAFTA: SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA) agreement which promised 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. 
  • Aim: SAFTA aims at lowering trade tariffs. But some of our neighbours fear that SAFTA is a way for India to ‘invade’ their markets and to influence their societies and politics through commercial ventures and a commercial presence in their countries.
• India and Pakistan Relationship: Although India-Pakistan relations seem to be a story of endemic conflict and violence, there have been a series of efforts to manage tensions and build peace.
  • Role of External Powers: China and the United States remain key players in South Asian politics. Sino-Indian relations have improved significantly in last ten years, but China’s strategic partnership with Pakistan remains a major irritant.
    • The US has had good relations with both India and Pakistan since the end of  Cold War and increasingly works as a moderator in India-Pakistan relations.

Conclusion

The 21st century global world order is marked by a shift from a unipolar world dominated by the United States to a more multipolar landscape with emerging powers like China, India, and regional players gaining influence. Global challenges, including climate change, pandemics, and economic interdependence, demand international cooperation. It faces significant disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and the erosion of multilateral institutions. Despite these challenges, global governance structures, such as United Nations, World Trade Organization, and international treaties, remain essential for addressing common problems. The future of global world order hinges on ability of nations to find common ground, adapt to evolving circumstances, and foster a more inclusive and sustainable international system.

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