'PM does not want to talk but it is necessary'

Experts feel that the relation with the neighboring countries should be more enriched. A senior journalist said that India should also go ahead with talk process. He further stated India's relation with China "at times" also improved but China always wanted to show its superiority.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's neighbourhood strategy and the recent Balakot attack, have reminded the 2014 election manifesto of the saffron brigade.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had vouched to peruse friendly relations with neighbours and at the same time not hesitate from taking any "strong stand" when required.

However, experts feel that the relation with the neighbouring countries should be more enriched.

"At the beginning of innings, Prime Minister did well. He invited leaders of all SAARC counties and share thought. But subsequently scenario changed. Particularly relation with Pakistan has changed drastically," said Pushp Saraf a senior journalist while speaking to ETV Bharat.

Saraf always keep a tab on Modi's neighbourhood policy.

He said that India should also go ahead with talk process.

"The Prime Minister does not want to talk but talk is necessary for a peaceful atmosphere," said Saraf.

He said that India's relation with China "at times" also improved but China always wanted to show its superiority.

"In case of JeM Chief Masood Azhar, it was only China who opposed to tag Azhar as a global terrorist," said Saraf. He said that India's current relation with China should continue and then only peace along the eastern frontier will exists.

"China also has claim on some parts of India...but due to the current friendly relation "at least peace exists along the India-China border."

Referring to the relation with Bangladesh, Saraf said that both India and Bangladesh have a friendly relation. "In fact, the current Bangladesh premier Seikh Hasina has good relation with India though Bangladesh is also fighting terrorism, both the countries have many similarities," said Saraf.

Saraf suggested that the government should further strengthen its relation with countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Immediately after taking the charge in 2014, Prime Minister Modi marked his debut foreign visit with Bhutan following his "neighbourhood first policy."

After that he visited Nepal and so on.

As of March 2019, Modi has visited 59 countries.