Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations
Q4. Democratic backsliding in India’s neighbourhood erodes normative influence and enables adversarial networks to expand. Discuss with reference to Bangladesh. Suggest India’s strategic course corrections. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question
To assess the impact of democratic erosion in neighbouring states on India’s regional influence and security environment, using Bangladesh as a contemporary case.Key demand of the question
Explain how Bangladesh’s democratic backsliding reduces India’s normative leverage and enables hostile networks, and outline the strategic course corrections India must adopt.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly introduce how regional democratic stability shapes India’s influence, security, and neighbourhood policy.Body
- Impact on normative influence: Suggest how weakened institutions in Bangladesh reduce India’s ability to promote rule-based regional order.
- Rise of adversarial networks: Suggest how instability in Bangladesh creates openings for anti-India, Pakistan-linked, or external actors.
- Strategic course corrections: Suggest India’s diplomatic, security, and regional engagement measures to address the challenge.
Conclusion
End with a forward-looking note on India’s need to balance principled diplomacy with pragmatic security interests.
