India should fulfill its promises given to neighbours, says Expert

Senior Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Joyeeta Bhattacharjee spoke about the strategies of Modi government's neighbourhood first policy. She also mentioned the Kaladan project, on lines with India's foreign policy, and also about strengthening the relations with neighbouring countries.

New Delhi: Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's neighbourhood first policy, an expert in India's foreign relations cautioned that the incumbent government needs to give much attention over the rise of China.

"There is a challenge for Narendra Modi 2.0 government. We have to see, how does the Government deal it," said Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, Senior Fellow in the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank on India's foreign policy.

"In 2014, when this government came into power, it was clear that the 'Act East' policy was going to get attention in a bigger way. Now there is a continuity, which is very positive," said Bhattacharjee.

Prime Minister Modi is going to mark his first foreign visit with Sri Lanka and the Maldives on June 8 and 9.

Bhattacharjee said that India should fulfil all its promises including building connectivity with Bangladesh as well as Kaladan project.

The Rs 1,600 crore Kaladan project being funded by Indian government includes a waterway component of 158 km on Kaladan river in Myanmar and a road component of 109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.

Once completed, this will strengthen India's trade relations with neighbouring countries.

"If we can keep our promises, we are definitely going to play a lead role with our neighbourhood," said Bhattacharjee.