India seems to have lost its way in managing its ties with China and Pakistan, letting the powerful neighbours set the agenda in bilateral relations.
AFGHANISTAN
Although India is uncomfortable about increased Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation under president Ashraf Ghani, the progress of negotiations on the trilateral transit pact along with Iran is a major victory for India. The afghan parliament, built by India, was inaugurated on December 25. Despite the soft power gains, India is worried about the resurgence of the Taliban and the increasing influence of Pakistan.
CHINA
Coinciding with Chinese president XI Jinping's visit to India in September 2014, Chinese soldiers intruded into Indian territory. Modi’s visit to China in May 2015 focused on cultural diplomacy and not much else was accomplished. India has objected to the $46 billion Pakistan-China economic corridor because it runs through a part of the disputed region of J&K. On April 1, China vetoed the un's bid to declare Jaish-E-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar of Pakistan a terrorist. Within days, India granted visa to world Uighur congress leader Dolkun Isa, whom China considers a terrorist. India withdrew the visa after Chinese protests.
PAKISTAN
Modi made an unscheduled stop in Lahore on December 25 and met Nawaz Sharif at the wedding of his grand- daughter. A week later, terrorists attacked the air force base in Pathankot. Relations worsened as Pakistan claimed on March 24 that it had captured a R&AW spy in Balochistan. Still, India allowed Pak investigators to visit the Pathankot base. But Pak officers said India had staged the attacks to defame Pakistan. Foreign secretaries of the two countries met on April 26, but the talks ended in stalemate.
NEPAL
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