Question

"Foreign relations of India with its neighbouring countries is of mixed type." Explain the statement.

Hint:

To structure this answer effectively, address each neighboring country separately. This allows you to clearly demonstrate the "mixed" nature of the relationships by highlighting both the cooperative and conflictual aspects for each country, proving the statement's validity. Mentioning India's "Neighbourhood First" policy can add value.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The statement asserts that India's relationships in its immediate neighborhood are complex and varied, rather than being uniformly friendly or hostile. The explanation requires analyzing India's relations with key neighbors to demonstrate this mixed nature.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation with Examples:
India's neighborhood policy is a tapestry woven with different threads for each country:
1. Pakistan: This relationship is predominantly characterized by conflict and hostility. The core issues include the territorial dispute over Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and the legacy of multiple wars. Areas of cooperation are extremely limited, making this the most challenging relationship.
2. China: This is a classic example of a mixed relationship combining competition and cooperation. There is intense strategic competition, exemplified by the unresolved border dispute. Simultaneously, there is vast economic cooperation, with massive bilateral trade.
3. Bangladesh: The relationship is largely friendly and cooperative, but with some persistent irritants. Cooperation is strong in areas of connectivity, trade, and security. However, issues like sharing of Teesta river waters and illegal migration remain points of friction.
4. Nepal: This is a unique relationship of deep cultural affinity mixed with political mistrust. Strong people-to-people ties, an open border, and economic links signify cooperation. However, political strains often surface over border disputes (e.g., Kalapani) and Nepal's perception of Indian "big brother" attitude.
5. Sri Lanka: This is another mixed relationship. There is strong economic and development cooperation. However, historical friction related to the Tamil ethnic issue and contemporary concerns over China's growing strategic influence in Sri Lanka add layers of complexity.
6. Bhutan: This stands out as an exemplary relationship of deep friendship and trust. India is Bhutan's leading development and security partner, and the relationship is consistently strong and cooperative with almost no friction.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The explanation confirms that India's foreign relations with its neighbors are indeed of a "mixed type." Each bilateral relationship has its own unique dynamic, shaped by a distinct blend of history, geography, economics, and politics. They cannot be painted with a single brush, ranging from the exemplary friendship with Bhutan to the enduring hostility with Pakistan, with most other neighbors falling on a complex spectrum in between.