India Advances Regional Cooperation with Major Developmental Initiatives Under PM Modi's 'Neighbourhood First'

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a trusted development partner to its neighboring countries, aligning with the vision of the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and reinforcing its commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable regional growth. Over the past decade, India has implemented a wide array of developmental projects across its neighboring nations—including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Maldives—focusing on physical, digital, energy, and people-to-people connectivity. PM Modi’s tenure has witnessed a remarkable strengthening of ties with neighboring countries through initiatives that promote stability and prosperity in South Asia.

During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi, alongside Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, jointly inaugurated several India-backed projects. These included the upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway track and a newly constructed signalling system for the Maho-Anuradhapura railway segment, marking a significant milestone in bilateral infrastructure cooperation. India’s partnership with Sri Lanka is founded on shared political understanding, geographical proximity, and civilizational ties. During the visit, PM Modi and President Dissanayake held discussions that resulted in the signing of multiple agreements, including pacts on defense cooperation and the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy hub.

Other agreements included the implementation of HVDC interconnections for cross-border power trade, cooperation in digital solutions for large-scale digital transformation, multi-sectoral grant assistance for Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, and collaborations in healthcare and pharmacopoeial cooperation. PM Modi also announced a capacity-building programme for 700 Sri Lankans annually and pledged grant assistance for the development of several temples, including the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee and the Sacred City Complex in Anuradhapura. Furthermore, India will facilitate the exposition of Lord Buddha’s relics in Sri Lanka during the International Vesak Day 2025.

India has also supported new key infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, such as the Sampur Solar Power Project, a temperature-controlled agricultural warehouse in Dambulla, and solar rooftop systems for 5,000 religious institutions across the island. India’s commitment to its neighbors extends beyond Sri Lanka. With Nepal, India has built a warm relationship, underscored by multiple high-level visits by PM Modi since 2014. India has facilitated several cross-border connectivity initiatives, including the operationalization of the Jaynagar-Kurtha railway link and the Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Pipeline, South Asia's first cross-border petroleum pipeline. Furthermore, India has committed $1 billion to Nepal's post-2015 earthquake reconstruction and continues to provide medical assistance.

With Bangladesh, India has ramped up infrastructure and energy cooperation, inaugurating projects like the Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link and the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, which significantly boost the nation’s energy generation capacity. India has also remained deeply engaged in Afghanistan, supporting key projects like the Afghan-India Friendship Dam and providing critical food aid during challenging times. Similarly, India’s strategic connectivity projects in Myanmar, including the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, aim to enhance regional trade and connectivity. In Bhutan, India’s development assistance continues to strengthen, including the inauguration of the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital and the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project, which contributes to the nation’s renewable energy development.

India's contributions to the Maldives include crucial infrastructure and environmental projects, such as the Water and Sanitation Project and the Addu City Development Project, both of which focus on enhancing living conditions and protecting the environment. Since 2014, PM Modi has guided India's regional engagement with the principles of 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' working to reinforce India’s position as a key driver of growth and stability in South Asia. These initiatives reflect India's unwavering commitment to fostering goodwill, stability, and shared progress across the region, paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous future for all of South Asia.