The Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) is a core diplomatic concept guiding India's foreign policy, which prioritizes strengthening relations with its immediate neighbours. The concept was initially conceived in 2008, but its focus and implementation intensified significantly after 2014 under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The policy was created to address the problem of maintaining regional stability, promoting economic integration, and countering the growing influence of external powers, particularly China, in South Asia.
The mechanism of the NFP is based on a consultative, outcome-oriented, and non-reciprocal approach, focusing on delivering tangible benefits to neighbours. Key principles of engagement are encapsulated in the 5S framework: Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), Samriddhi (prosperity), and Sanskriti (culture). The policy works through enhanced economic cooperation, development assistance, and infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Malé Connectivity Project in the Maldives and the Zaranj-Delaram Road in Afghanistan. It aims to enhance physical, digital, and people-to-people connectivity across the region, covering countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The NFP connects to the broader regional framework of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which are multilateral organizations India engages with. It also maintains synergy with the Act East Policy, particularly concerning the development of India's North-Eastern Region. While the core principles of non-reciprocity and prioritizing neighbours have stayed the same, the policy has recently shown a shift towards a more "pragmatic realism," where engagement is increasingly evaluated through the lens of security and strategic competition, especially with China. This recalibration is a response to the emergence of new-generation leadership in countries like Nepal and the Maldives, which are more open to multi-alignment in foreign policy.