China pulling India's neighbors closer

India is losing its quest to lead other countries in the region in a policy of  Neighbourhood First  a policy already backfiring with Bangladesh recently warming to approaches by China. As such_ India needs to update its foreign policy to take stricter measures towards its  friendly neighbourhood nations instead of taking steps such as the provision to Bangladesh of ten locomotives in July as part of New Delhi-Dhaka grant assistance_ in the hope that the gesture will be seen as a gateway for better bilateral ties between the two. Bangladesh_ as their government in Dhaka sees it was recently displeased over India s less than appreciative response to Dhaka not allowing Bangladeshi soil not to be used by insurgents in actions against the Indian government. As a gesture of goodwill in return_ India would_ Bangladesh hoped_ sign the Teesta River Accord (allowing the river water to be shared by both nations). But it never happened. India did not sign the accord. India_ it must be pointed out_ was wary of Bangladesh s leaning towards China which could in time lead to Beijing taking advantage of access to Bangladesh by blocking the Siliguri corridor (leading to a small Indian town bordering Bangladesh and China)_ and in the process cutting off the north-eastern part of India from the rest of the country in the case of an Indo-China war. Both countries became suspicious of each other_ and China_ as is so often the case_ was waiting to take advantage of the situation. Bangladesh was wooed by China with the promise of funds for its domestic infrastructure development. In addition_ over 8000 Bangladeshi products have been granted duty-free access to Chinese markets under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement. In return_ Dhaka had given a contract to Beijing it to permit the building of a deep sea port at Sonadia which was reportedly only scrapped after India protested. India is already well aware of China s yearning for a maritime monopoly over the Indian Ocean. At present_ according to Internet portal_ Ummid.com_ China has an investment of over US$30 billion in Bangladesh_ including in the building of a submarine base at Chittagong. This has raised an eyebrow or two in India which has thus far not deciphered actual future use of the site. The aforementioned portal says that Sri Lanka_ Nepal and Bangladesh do not want to do business with India_ a clear case of China having been able to wean these countries to its own bosom and subsequent creche care. Indeed  News-Disk Internet portal managing director Anil Kumar says that China is now working to consolidate our mutual neighbours for support in case of a war-like situation with India.  India s inclination towards the United States is not going to be a very fruitful investment_ rather it should have garnered the support of its neighbour_ he opined. - source: the taiwan times