Context: PM Gati Shakti plan can generate positive spill over effects and strengthen India’s economic ties with neighbours.
Significance of Gati Shakti Plan
Foreign policy angle of Gati Shakti Plan: Coordinated infrastructure development will generate positive effects to deepen India’s regional economic ties.
Eg. In 2019, trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh was eased through a new multimodal road and waterway link via Assam.
Infrastructure modernisation reduce cost and time of doing business: Creating positive impact on price of commodities and developmental targets in neighbouring countries.
Connectivity investments at home with strategic decisions: It will impact India’s external economic relations, not only in South Asia, but also with Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
Security perspective: India’s border check posts, known as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), only have mirror infrastructure with Nepal. Huge scope for expansion.
Way Forward: Avenues for India to ensure the maximum effect of Gati Shakti Plan
Deepen bilateral consultations with neighbours to gauge their connectivity strategies and priorities.
India will require diplomatic skills to reassure its neighbours and adapt to their pace and political economy context.
Work through regional institutions and platforms: It will help India to develop a regional vision and standards for connectivity, reducing bilateral transaction costs.
Considering a defunct SAARC, focus shall be on BIMSTEC and BBIN.
Cooperate more closely with global players who are keen to support its strategic imperative to give Indo-Pacific an economic connectivity dimension like Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, Japan, the US, Australia, EU and ASEAN.
Global external connectivity dialogues: To give the Gati Shakti plan a truly regional and global dimension and help India achieve its developmental targets at home.