Modi`s Neighborhood Policy and China`s Response

Abstract

The Bharatiya Janata Party`s (BJP) election victory in May 2014 under the leadership of Narendra Modi saw the first parliamentary majority achieved by a single party in three decades. Both Indian and foreign observers of India`s foreign policy knew a little of Modi and the BJP`s approach to India`s external engagements. Modi`s image as a nationalist and strong leader led to the speculation that he would substantially change the direction of India`s foreign policy. This may be most visible in India`s ＂Neighborhood-First＂ Initiative (NFl). This study focuses on Modi`s neighborhood policy. It gives an overview of how the Modi government is redefining India`s neighborhood policy and considers the new vision and approach that the Modi government is pursuing with India`s neighborhood. It is followed by an assessment of difficulties in putting the policy into practice. Finally, it discusses responses from China and summarizes key points in the concluding section.