RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3692
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2019
NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY
3692. SHRI SANJAY SINGH:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the goals of the neighbourhood first policy of the Government;
(b) the status of the goals, at present; and
(c) the future steps, if any, proposed to be taken in accordance with the policy?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
((a) to (c) Under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Government is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours. India is an active development partner and is involved in several projects in these countries. India’s
policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity. Our engagement with these countries is based on a consultative, non-reciprocal and outcome-oriented approach, which
focuses on delivering benefits like greater connectivity, improved infrastructure, stronger development cooperation in various sectors area, security and broader people-to-people contacts.
With Pakistan, the Government desires normal neighbourly relations and is committed to addressing all outstanding issues bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. However, any meaningful dialogue can only
be held in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere.
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