Archive · 21 Nov 2025
India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy Faces Credibility Test in Fragmenting South Asia
South Asia is changing quickly, making it hard for India to lead with its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
India's neighbors are stronger internationally but have problems at home.
India's efforts to help aren't working as well as they should because of issues like slow delivery and political problems at home.
To fix this, India needs to be more reliable, careful with its promises, and work with institutions, not just leaders.
South Asia's political landscape is rapidly changing, challenging India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Each country in the region is simultaneously weaker domestically but more assertive internationally.
India's challenge is the gap between its diplomatic intent and actual impact on the region.
Three key issues hinder India's credibility: delivery deficit, uneven political signaling, and domestic political narratives spilling over into regional diplomacy.
To regain traction, India must focus on consistent, predictable, and politically neutral engagement.
- Who
- India and its South Asian neighbors
- What
- Facing challenges in maintaining regional influence due to political changes and India's credibility issues
- When
- Currently, with the coming decade being crucial for India's role in the region
- Where
- South Asia
- Why
- To maintain its influence and stability in the region
India's View
Regional Neighbors' View
India's Role
India's View
India sees itself as the natural anchor for South Asia
Regional Neighbors' View
Neighbors question India's reliability and consistency
Delivery Speed
India's View
India acknowledges its slow delivery compared to China
Regional Neighbors' View
Neighbors expect faster, more reliable delivery
Political Engagement
India's View
India aims for politically neutral engagement
Regional Neighbors' View
Neighbors perceive India's support for specific leaders or coalitions as intrusive
- Policy
- 'Neighbourhood First'
- Region
- South Asia
- Key Challenges
- Delivery deficit, uneven political signaling, domestic political narratives impacting regional diplomacy
- India's Needed Shifts
- Quiet diplomacy, reliable delivery, depersonalized engagement, wider regional public goods
- Future Decade
- Crucial for India's role in the region