LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1349
ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2024
TIES WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
1349. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the details of measures undertaken by the Government to strengthen ties with the neighbouring countries, country-wise;
(b) whether the Government is taking/proposes to take special measures to improve ties with Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh that have deteriorated in the recent past; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)
(a to c) 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 Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the aforementioned areas.
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