India’s people-centric ‘Neighbourhood First policy’ continues to guide its approach towards the management of relations with the people and countries in its immediate neighbourhood. This policy is an institutional priority for all the relevant arms of the Government. The Neighbourhood First policy, inter alia, is aimed at enhancing physical, digital and people to people connectivity across the region, as well as strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of domains including investment, technology, education, health, agriculture, trade, commerce, communication, youth and sports affairs, energy, capacity building in various fields, cyber security and cultural exchanges, among others. In the last decade, this policy has yielded positive results and strengthened cooperation, connectivity and contacts in our immediate vicinity. A number of such initiatives continue to be implemented to enhance our bilateral ties with our neighbouring countries, including with My...
