The Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) is a core concept and strategic doctrine of India's foreign policy, which guides its approach toward managing relations with countries in its immediate periphery. The policy was formally conceived in 2008, but its focus intensified and it became a central pillar of foreign policy after 2014. The NFP was created to prioritize and strengthen ties with India's neighbors—including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—to ensure regional stability, economic growth, and cooperative security. This focus was necessary to counter the growing influence of external powers, particularly China, in South Asia and to prevent instability from spilling over into India.
The policy works through a consultative, non-reciprocal, and outcome-oriented approach, focusing on delivering tangible benefits to the neighboring countries. Its key mechanism is guided by the "5S" framework: Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), Samriddhi (prosperity), and Sanskriti (culture). Key provisions include enhanced economic cooperation through connectivity projects like the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation, such as regional power markets. It also involves significant development assistance, with India's Line of Credit (LOC) to its neighbors increasing from $3.3 billion in 2014 to $14.7 billion in 2020. Furthermore, the policy emphasizes security collaboration, including joint military exercises and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.
The NFP connects directly to the principles of the Gujral Doctrine, which advocated for non-reciprocity in India's relations with its smaller neighbors. It also maintains synergy with the Act East Policy, particularly concerning the development and connectivity of India's North-Eastern Region. While the core principles of non-reciprocity and prioritization have stayed the same, the policy has recently faced headwinds, such as anti-India rhetoric in the Maldives and political instability in Myanmar, which have necessitated a renewed focus on diplomatic outreach and border security. India has responded by increasing its financial assistance, such as providing $4 billion to Sri Lanka during its 2022 economic crisis, and focusing on soft diplomacy and strategic partnerships to maintain its influence.