Chapter 6: Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Initiative

Prime Minister Modi launched his foreign policy with ‘neighbourhood first’ initiative. Under this initiative, he invited all the executive heads of the neighbouring countries to his swearing-in ceremony on 26 May, 2014. An atmosphere of regional cooperation and harmony was created with Modi’s one-on-one talks with other South Asian leaders amid mutual promises to build regional synergies and cooperation.

Before we look into the progress of Modi's “neighbourhood first” initiative closely, it will be useful to briefly outline India's neighbourhood policy.