The recent turn in the India-Bangladesh relationship is the latest among a string of changes in New Delhi’s neighborhood that can be traced to a fresh trend of “nation first” rather than “neighborhood first” foreign policies in the Indian subcontinent. A nation-first foreign policy is driven by domestic nationalism and is based on an overt reliance on extra-regional relationships rather than a neighborhood-first policy, which is about putting a premium on friendly relations with the neighbors.
While India and many of its neighbors have at different times indicated an intent to put the neighborhood first, specific policies need to be initiated to realize this outcome. Bangladesh, through what some Delhi analysts are terming a “color revolution” (though there is no evidence of extra-regional involvement), has seen significant shifts in its political landscape.
This shift has raised concerns about the future of regional cooperation and stability, as countries in the subcontinent navigate the complexities of balancing national interests with the need for collaborative regional relationships.