Treading Carefully: India’s Diplomatic Tightrope in the Neighbourhood

Treading Carefully: India’s Diplomatic Tightrope in the Neighbourhood

By KM SEETHI|2024-06-18T12:29:56+05:30May 2nd, 2024|Articles, The Geopolitics|Comments Off

View Larger Image

Published in The Geopolitics, May 2, 2024

India’s foreign policy often recedes amidst the fervour of general elections, yet glimpses of it emerge in the carefully crafted manifestos of political parties. However, the persistent gap between rhetoric and action remains a defining characteristic of governance, although the BJP-led NDA government in New Delhi aims to change this narrative. Foreign relations, a critical realm of India’s policy regime, finds its contours shaped by the complex dynamics of diplomacy, particularly concerning India’s neighbours. The difficult challenge of neighbouring relations has long bedevilled India’s foreign policy landscape, with China and Myanmar also sharing borders compounding the tests within the region. Observers have noted a tumultuous path in the Narendra Modi government’s ‘neighbourhood policy’ over the past decade, fraught with conflicts and setbacks, reflecting the shifting geopolitical situation in the region.

For the full text Read

Treading Carefully: India’s Diplomatic Tightrope in the Neighbourhood

About the Author: KM SEETHI

K.M. SEETHI is Director, Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension, MG University. He also serves as Member of the Appellete Authority (Ombudsman), MGNREGS, Govt of Kerala. Earlier, he served as ICSSR Senior Fellow, Dean of Social Sciences and Senior Professor and Director of School of International Relations and Politics, Director of Research, and Coordinator KPS Menon Chair for Diplomatic Studies. Besides, he had officiated as Honorary Director, KN Raj Centre , Mahatma Gandhi University. Seethi currently serves as Editor, Journal of State and Society. He also served as the Editor of 'South Asian Journal of Diplomacy' and the 'Indian Journal of Politics and International Relations,' and 'Journal of Political Economy and Fiscal Federalism.' His books include, "Enduring Dilemma: Flashpoints in Kashmir and India-Pakistan Relations" (KW Publishers), "Endless Sorrows" (IUCSSRE/DPP), "Engaging Beyond Borders" (GSC), "The Arab World: Beyond and Beneath the Arab Spring" ( GSC), "Development Rebound: Challenges in Kerala's Development Scenario" (Raspberry), "State and Civil Society under Siege"(Sage), "Engaging with the World: Critical Reflections on India’s Foreign Policy"(Orient Longman/Orient Blackswan), "Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Security" (SIRP/ KPS Menon Chair), "Coastal Security: Needed A New Look" (SIRP/KPS Menon Chair) etc. He has also written more than 300 research articles/features/commentaries/reviews in journals such as Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies,' 'Economic and Political Weekly,' 'Millennium: Journal of International Affairs,' 'Indian Journal of Political Science,' 'Journal of Polity and Society,' 'South Asian Journal of Diplomacy', 'Indian Journal of Politics and International Relations,' 'South Asia Analysis Group,' 'Indian Journal of Secularism', 'Mainstream,' 'Radical Humanist,' 'Indian Express,' 'The Hindu,' 'The Economic Times,' 'The New Indian Express,' 'Deccan Chronicle,' 'The Week,' 'Open,' Sri Lanka Guardian,' 'Eurasia Review,' Indian Defense Review,' and online journals such as the 'Global South Colloquy,' 'The Diplomat', 'Countercurrents', 'Global Research,' 'Madras Courier,' 'Policy Circle' 'Keralamonitor' et al.