Following the 2015-2016 unofficial blockade (perceived by Nepal as intentional), India lost its once-unshakeable goodwill. Nepal’s 2020 political map claim over Kalapani and Lipulekh (disputed tri-junction) shocked New Delhi. China’s increased connectivity through Rasuwa Gadhi and its military aid to the Nepal Army signal a geopolitical shift. The political challenge: Nepali parties now use "anti-India" rhetoric as an electoral strategy.
The primary source for " Politics and Geopolitics: Decoding India's Neighbourhood Challenge
By understanding the complex politics and geopolitics of India's neighbourhood, policymakers and scholars can develop effective strategies to address the country's foreign policy and national security challenges. The political challenge: Nepali parties now use "anti-India"
India must accept that neighbours will invite China. Instead of blocking Chinese projects (which backfires), India should "compete via delivery." Example: Build the Trincomalee oil tank farm (Sri Lanka) faster than China builds Hambantota.
To this challenge, one must move beyond emotional nationalism or simplistic "India vs. China" narratives. The core problem is geopolitical fragmentation coupled with a political trust deficit . the following PDF resources are recommended:
Indian movies, education, and medicine once dominated. Now, Turkish dramas (Pakistan), Chinese smartphones, and Western NGOs fill the space. India’s refusal to offer university seats to neighbours (unlike China’s scholarship blitz) erodes long-term influence.
Sri Lanka, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, poses a significant challenge to India's foreign policy. The country's strategic location, with a long coastline and a major port, makes it an important player in regional politics. India's efforts to strengthen its ties with Sri Lanka, including the development of the Trincomalee Harbour, are seen as a way to counterbalance China's influence in the region. and medicine once dominated. Now
The document/book identifies three core parameters that shape India's current neighborhood challenges:
For those interested in learning more about India's neighbourhood challenge, the following PDF resources are recommended: