Slender Stance

Let me take you in the past when , world grouping was on and countries had a choice to go either in the camp of United States or with USSR (now Russian Federation). In that time india was new born baby ,just cutted the thread from the womb of colonialism , opted out to choose the neutral way and to maintain their future sovereignty formed NAM (Non Aligned Movement) in 1961 ,in the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and know as the "Third World country". Target to a collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region.     

             Indian Ocean Region . courtesy :- Google

    

However India was stronger than any of it's neighbouring countries and made their mind , that not to opt out to choose any camp , as by collective well being we have a way to grow as well. Though many new born out countries join this group and India started to ploy it's diplomacy on great note. No talking of bossy like behaviour , no opposition in their internal politics. Also started to provide financial assistance to it's weak neighbour countries in the form of their comfort level either with Line of credit (in which you've to pay back the loan only of that amount what you'd spent) and on loan basis with low interest rate , without threating their promise to remain sovereign.

Due to India's friendly behaviour ,, neighbours started to come in close contact. Indian diplomacy started to see new horizon with good intentions and cooperation in the field of economic , military , socio-cultural level. "Roti Beti Ka Rishta" is one fine example of social relationship with Nepal. Provided assistance to Bhutan to plant hydroelectric power projects in Chukha , kurichu and Tala. Also promised to generate 10,000 MW electricity till the current year 2020. Provide $400 million to Bangladesh to buy the arms from India itself. Financial aid to Sri Lanka in 2004 at the time of Tsunami to restructure their diminished infrastructure. Open entry on the border line with Myanmar inside 16km in both nations. 

Seems everything going well , but what made everything wrong and what worked as coriolis force which circumvent against the soft power diplomacy of india. Gradually since 2015 , Nepal , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka shifted their pole toward CCP ( Communist China Party). Although China's expansionist theory not gonna favour India's neighbours ,still they move to China's lap. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Trade and Economic Cooperation , SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) , BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative, india is member of all these grouping , still couldn't kept the pace with them. 

Recent news on Development of Chabahar Port ,again raise the finger on the diplomatic skills of india with their neighbouring countries . As Irani Government declared that , now they are going to complete solely the Chabahar project as India is delaying to provide the assistance and also in the cooperation in technology. India was also signed an MoU (Memotendum of Understanding ) to develop a railyay project from Iran to the Border line of Afghanistan, is now also in midddle of nowhere. India - Iran Relationship is not new , India is the 3rd biggest importer of crude oil from Iran almost 30% of India's total need. Iranian foreign ministry also said that ,when Iran signed out from the Nuclear Disarmament Treaty with America and America imposed economy sections on Iran , India choosed to stay neutral and silently went with America. If india ably developed it on time ,it would be a direct entrance in Afghanistan as India has a deep asset there.            

              

As China's import hurtened and economical crisis rang the bell and slowdown already started , Iran have had no option to shake the hands with Dragon(China). China and Iran in a secret deal , where China will invest $400 Billion in Iran till 2030 and in this favour of investment what China could get , may be whole Iran. China had already developed Gwader Port in Pakistan to enter into the middle east and now this move will certainly open the whole market for China in Iran. This is not new China provided loan of more $75,000crore to Sri Lanka and captured their Habantota port and took it on lease for 99 years , now Nepal also shifted it's gear to China in order to see that quick assistance coming from China's side and delaying completion of projects from India's side.

                      Chabahar Port , Iranian Coast

On one side India lacking in relationship and other side trying to bound the China in Indian Ocean with the joint military excersice with United States , Australia and itself. India need to understand that ,if there would be any delay it will surely dent it's relationship in this region and china has always looked to deepen his presence in the oceanic region and in middle east now. Chabahar will surely open a definite trade route from Strait of Melacca. Still ball is in the court of India ,if India started the projects of Chabhar without delay. As in Iran anti-China sentiment is very high and there people started feeling that Hassan Ruhani's govt. selling the nation into the hands of China. Public support in Iran may work for India.

What should be the way forward from here for india ? India must fulfill the timely demand of its neighbours and whatever project signing happened on the paper ,must complete at very time. Also make the minds of it's neighbours that , it's own internal Acts and policy not gonna hurt their relations , as happened with Bangladesh when Indian Parliament passed CAA and NRC , anti-India sentiment was so high. India is going good on the Nehruvian and Gujral Doctrine but need to be more diplomatic and secure it's foreign policy on very high note.