Jaishankar Asserts India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ as More Than a Mere Slogan, Urges Unity in the Region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy during his speech at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the India International Centre. He stated that the policy is not just a slogan, but a practical manifestation of standing together and going the extra mile to help neighboring countries. He also highlighted that India’s prosperity should serve as a lifting tide for other countries in the region. The minister called for a collective response to help struggling neighbors during this difficult period in South Asia. The Neighbourhood First Policy has been a fundamental pillar of India’s diplomacy, according to a newly published report by the Ministry of External Affairs. The report also revealed that the bulk of the Ministry’s Development Partnership budget is allocated to neighboring countries under the policy. Additionally, India has played a major role in providing global healthcare capacities during the pandemic, with supplies first given to neighboring countries as a gift in line with the Neighbourhood First Policy.