Islamabad: Recent critiques have targeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy for alienating neighboring countries and leaving India increasingly isolated within its own region. These criticisms point to a series of strained relationships and diplomatic miscalculations that have undermined India’s traditional alliances in South Asia.
According to Kashmir Media Service, an article in the Japanese media outlet Nikkei Asia, entitled “Misguided Foreign Policy Has Left India Friendless in South Asia,” analyzes how India’s diplomatic approaches have soured relationships with key nations such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The report suggests that India’s foreign policy under Modi’s administration has been affected by a combination of internal political issues, poor management of regional ties, and a perceived realignment towards global powers like the United States and Japan.
The Nikkei article specifically highlights the deterioration of relations with Nepal following India’s intervention in Nepal’s 2015 constitutional crisis and subsequent economic blockade, which has pushed Kathmandu closer to Beijing. In Bangladesh, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have stirred apprehensions, perceived as discriminatory towards Bangladeshi immigrants in India. This has prompted Dhaka to seek diversification in its international relations, notably turning towards China.
Furthermore, the increasing influence of China in Sri Lanka and the Maldives has challenged India’s traditional dominance in these countries. Major Chinese investments in infrastructure across these islands have significantly curtailed India’s influence.
The article underscores that China has adeptly leveraged India’s waning regional influence by enhancing its economic and diplomatic engagements across South Asia. The report critiques India’s strategic focus on bolstering its alliances with Western powers, which may have inadvertently weakened its regional position. This focus includes active participation in the Quad alliance with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, which has not effectively countered China’s strategic moves in South Asia.
Nikkei concludes that India needs a more balanced and inclusive regional diplomacy strategy to restore and strengthen its geopolitical standing in South Asia, suggesting that current policies might require significant recalibration.