India's neighbourhood diplomacy: A pillar of consistency and trust

Khaleej Times

23-07-2025

As India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit the Maldives on July 25–26, following his state visit to the UK, his itinerary sends a clear message: South Asia remains New Delhi's foremost priority. This visit is a reaffirmation that India is not just a rising global player, but a stable, trustworthy, and enduring partner in its own neighbourhood.
PM Modi's visit to the Maldives comes at a crucial time in bilateral relations. It marks his third visit to the island nation and his first under President Mohamed Muizzu's administration, proof that India's diplomatic outreach is rooted in long-term engagement, not political convenience. During the visit, India is expected to announce a new line of credit for development initiatives, launch major infrastructure projects, and deepen cooperation in areas like climate resilience, health, and maritime security.
One of the cornerstones of India-Maldives relations is the $500 million Greater Malé Connectivity Project, which will physically link the capital to nearby islands, spurring economic activity and improving lives. India has also undertaken community-level water and sanitation projects in dozens of islands, directly benefitting over 28,000 Maldivians. These aren't symbolic gestures, they represent India's grounded and people-first diplomacy.
India also played a critical role in supplying Covid-19 vaccines, food aid, and disaster relief to the Maldives, standing by the country in its time of need. It's this readiness to assist, not just with loans and infrastructure, but also with humanitarian support that sets India apart as a consistent and compassionate partner.
India's reliability isn't confined to the Maldives. Across South Asia, New Delhi has demonstrated a consistent policy of constructive engagement and regional cooperation. In Sri Lanka, during the country's worst economic crisis, India extended over $3.8 billion in assistance, including credit for fuel, food, medicine, and fertilisers. This was accompanied by vital support during the pandemic, when India supplied vaccines and oxygen at a time when global supply chains were choked.
In Bangladesh, India has extended nearly $8 billion in concessional credit lines, the largest it has given to any single country. These funds are driving infrastructure development, railway connectivity, port access, energy cooperation, and cross-border trade. The India-Bangladesh friendship pipelines and electricity transmission grids now power thousands of homes, while their joint initiatives in defense and disaster management reflect a mature and robust strategic partnership.
In Nepal and Bhutan, India continues to invest in road, rail, and hydropower connectivity. The shared cultural and historical bonds have been supplemented by regular high-level visits, infrastructure grants, and support for education, healthcare, and livelihood creation. India remains the top trading partner and development partner for both countries.
In Afghanistan, even in the face of turmoil, India has delivered humanitarian aid and rebuilt key institutions, like the Salma Dam and the Afghan Parliament while reaffirming its commitment to the Afghan people. In Myanmar, India has walked a careful path of engagement through infrastructure connectivity and disaster relief.
From the very beginning of his tenure, Modi has prioritised the 'Neighbourhood First' policy. His swearing-in in 2014 featured heads of state from across South Asia, signalling India's intent to re-anchor its foreign policy in its immediate vicinity. This policy has since matured into a doctrine of deep developmental and strategic partnership.
The regional orientation is not just about proximity, it's about priority. Whether it is evacuating citizens during disasters, building cross-border infrastructure, restoring ancient cultural sites, or investing in human capital through scholarships and capacity building, India's support is holistic, responsive, and respectful.
Importantly, India's diplomacy is not transactional. It is built on shared destinies, mutual respect, and collective progress. India neither dictates terms nor imposes political conditions. It responds to requests, supports sovereign choices, and fosters regional stability through cooperation, not coercion.
India's diplomatic style is defined by quiet confidence and strategic patience. Recent tensions with the Maldives, sparked by political rhetoric and local sensitivities, did not derail the broader relationship. New Delhi responded not with recrimination, but with restraint. Indian military personnel were replaced with civilian experts, and dialogue was maintained through joint working groups and official visits.
Rather than escalate, India chose to invest in preserving trust. The Maldives' Foreign Minister visited India thrice this year, and both sides worked actively to advance their 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.' This is not just diplomacy, it is maturity in action.
Modi's upcoming trip is a reaffirmation of India's regional vision. It tells neighbours near and far: India does not abandon friendships when political winds shift. It shows that India's foreign policy is anchored in stability, continuity, and respect for each country's unique path.
South Asia faces complex challenges, ranging from climate change and migration to health crises and economic disruptions. In such a context, India's leadership offers the region a foundation of security, connectivity, and shared growth.
India's outreach is not about grandeur, it's about grounded delivery. From building roads in Nepal to restoring water supplies in the Maldives, from fuelling power grids in Bangladesh to rescuing stranded citizens from conflict zones, India is the neighbour that shows up, acts swiftly, and stays the course.
India's neighbourhood diplomacy under Prime Minister Modi has redefined what it means to be a regional leader. It is not about dominating the narrative but about shaping a shared future through consistent, inclusive, and responsive engagement.
As the Maldives celebrates its National Day with a state visit from the Indian Prime Minister, the symbolism is unmistakable. It is a celebration of trust, of deep-rooted ties, and of a partnership that has endured tests and emerged stronger.
India's actions over the past decade speak louder than any speech. In a region often marked by volatility, India is a rare constant, a neighbour you can count on. Reliable, resilient, and respectful: that is the India story in South Asia.