The "Neighbourhood First" policy was emphasized and prioritized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although the concept originated in 2008, it was institutionalized and given a significant push starting in 2014 under Modi's leadership. The policy focuses on strengthening India's relations with its immediate neighbors—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—through enhanced political, economic, digital, and people-to-people connectivity. Modi's government made it a central foreign policy mantra, aiming to consolidate India's regional dominance, improve bilateral ties, and counter external influences, particularly from China
. Modi himself articulated the importance of the neighborhood by stating that a nation's destiny is linked to its neighbors, and his administration placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with neighboring countries to ensure regional stability and India's development
. The policy also emphasizes infrastructure development, trade, security cooperation, and cultural ties, making it a comprehensive approach to regional engagement
. In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the key figure who emphasized and prioritized the "Neighbourhood First" policy in India’s foreign relations, making it a cornerstone of his government's diplomatic strategy since 2014
