South Asia comprises the eight countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Due to the vast region occupied by India, academic books name it ‘big brother’.

But somehow, the ‘big brother’ has been disrespecting its South Asian neighbors since it became a Republic in 1950. This has increased since 2014 when a pro-Hindu nationalist party came to power in India. The neighboring nations were giving it respect. But now things have changed. The disrespect seems to have become mutual. What are the reasons?

The arrogance of ‘big brother’ toward its South Asian neighbors

India was considered a moral influencer in the region. But it seems to have long ago lost this position. There was news that despite repeated requests for a meeting, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, refused to meet India’s High Commissioner. To mend ties, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had to rush to Dhaka. Nepal and Sri Lanka are also turning away from India.

It was said that these nations are tilting towards China and China is influencing them massively. But records show that over the years, India has never considered its neighbors as equals. There was always an air of superiority. The governments and people have spoken in a belittling manner about their neighbors. They did not respect the cultural uniqueness of the countries around them.

Ill talks and lack of censuring of these insensitive remarks

Politicians of India have been making insensitive remarks about their neighbors. This has been increasing with time and exponentially over the last 6 years.

Statements like ‘half of Bangladesh would be empty if India gives citizenship to Bangladeshis’ could well have been avoided or at least censured or rebuked. But none of these happened and the insult penetrated deep. One cannot hope for any warm relations from its neighbors after such uncalled-for rude comments.

Border issues with Nepal had erupted and there have been no great steps from the Indian side to resolve them. The demonetized Indian currency continues to remain in Nepal and Bhutan’s banks and attempts to get them exchanged have failed. Remarks such as ‘Nepal is acting on the behest of someone else’ only made matters worse.

Bhutan and its inclination towards China

Before, Indian traders at the Indo-Bhutan border used to accept Bhutanese currency. But since the border sealing post-COVID-19, Eastern Bhutan traders are finding it extremely difficult to get their Bhutanese currency exchanged in India. One can put these matters as minor but these small irritants could add to the other major problems affecting the two nations.

Sri Lanka had asked for India’s help in delaying its debt repayment and for a currency swap facility. But even at the end of four months of a personal request from Sir Lankan PM, Mahina Rajapaksa, there has been no movement on that front. It is but natural that Sir Lanka might seek assistance from China in it.

India has failed miserably in delivering some tangible benefits to its neighbors. It also has strained ties with the island nation of Maldives. And it never did have good ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan since the post-partition days. Except for talking about anti-terrorism and Hinduism, India has offered nothing worthwhile to the region.

Instead of mentioning China and its influence on its neighbors, India needs to relook at its inner self and try to find out where it has gone wrong. It has to consider the surrounding nations as an entity and independent nations. It is a matter of mutual trust and faith! Proof of it has to come from India so that the neighbors also feel secure.

India has to stop berating and belittling and see to it that the collective psyche of the nation is not anti-neighbors!

Source: The Wire

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