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OPINION                                                                  JUNE 28, 2024     |  The Indian Eye 10

                         India’s Outreach to







         Revitalise Subregionalism









             This viewpoint examines the diplomatic ramifications of Prime Minister Modi’s third

         consecutive term inauguration ceremony, delving into its implications for the resurgence of
                         subregional cooperation in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region



        SUBODH CHANDRA BHARTI

              he National Democratic Alli-
              ance (NDA), led by the Bhar-
        Ttiya Janta Party (BJP), secured
        a majority in the Parliamentary elec-
        tions held in 2024.  Prime Minister
        Narendra Modi formed the govern-
        ment for the third consecutive term.
        His swearing-in ceremony on 9 June
        2024 witnessed a notable gathering
        of Heads of State/Government from
        neighbouring states, marking a pivot-
        al moment in India’s diplomatic land-
        scape.
            The invitation extended to lead-
        ers from neighbouring and Indian
        Ocean Region (IOR) countries was
        not merely ceremonial but a tangi-
        ble expression of India’s steadfast
        commitment  to  its  “Neighbour-
        hood First” policy and the visionary
        “SAGAR” initiative. Notable invi-
        tees include Heads of State/Gov-
        ernment from Bangladesh, Bhutan,
        the Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri
        Lanka and the Seychelles, signify-
        ing India’s steadfast commitment to
        Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Ne-
        pal (BBIN) and the SAGAR vision.
        The swearing-in ceremony marked a
        significant diplomatic event, drawing
        attention to India’s subregional en-     Prime Minister Narendra Modi with King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Druk Gyalpo Award Ceremony,
        gagement in South Asia and the quest                                       in Thimphu in March (ANI)
        for greater engagement in the IOR.
            This viewpoint examines the dip-
        lomatic ramifications of Prime Min-  Prime Minister Modi’s inaugural for-  (November 2018). Additionally, PM   Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan
        ister Modi’s third consecutive term   eign visits to the neighbourhood un-  Modi’s subsequent visits, during his   and Myanmar exhibited positive tra-
        inauguration ceremony, delving into   derscored India’s proactive approach   second term, to Bhutan in August   jectories.
        its implications for the resurgence   towards strengthening bilateral ties.   2019 and March 2024, Nepal in May
        of subregional cooperation in South   After assuming office, PM Mo-  2022, Sri Lanka in June 2019, Ban-  Shifting Dynamics: From
        Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.   di’s initial foreign visits to the neigh-  gladesh in May 2021 and the Mal-  Bilateralism to Subregional
                                          bourhood included Bhutan (June    dives in June 2019 further highlight       Cooperation
              The Foundation of           2014), Nepal twice in a span of four   India’s stance on the “neighbour-
          Neighbourhood First Policy      months (August and November       hood first policy.” Despite challeng-   nder Prime Minister Modi’s
                                                                            es, such as strained relations with
                                          2014) and again in May and August
                                                                                                                    regime, India’s South Asia
           ndia’s “Neighbourhood First Pol-  2018, Myanmar (November 2014),   Pakistan and increased Chinese  Upolicy has undergone a trans-
           icy” took root with the advent of   Sri Lanka (March 2015), Bangla-  influence  in  certain  neighbouring   formational shift towards subregional
        Ithe NDA government in 2014.      desh (June 2015) and the Maldives   countries,  India’s  engagement  with   Continued on next page... >>

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