India's Foreign Policy in South Asia

South Asian countries have similar cultures, social habits and economic problems. In post-colonial period, South Asia has witnessed liberation movement, nuclear rivalry and military dictatorships and also faced regular insurgencies, religious fundamentalism, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking. Among South Asian Countries, India and Pakistan are the two main dominating players due to extensive growth of socioeconomic and nuclear power. India has always sought to build a friendly or at least a working relationship with all its neighbours by taking non-reciprocal economic and political initiatives. It accounts for 80 per cent of the regional GDP and 70 per cent of South Asia's population. The nation's economy has been growing steadily in recent years. India has made conscious efforts to strengthen its relationship with its neighbours. Its bilateral relations with some of the neighbouring countries have also made significant progress. However, the cumulative effect of all this on regional cooperation is yet to be felt.