"We want to deepen our relationship": MEA frames regional outreach under 'Neighbourhood First' ahead of BRICS

India's recent wave of high-level diplomatic engagements across South Asia is a direct reflection of its strategic "Neighbourhood First" policy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified on Tuesday, addressing questions regarding coordinated regional outreach ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit. Responding to media queries during a biweekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that recent visits and bilateral talks with Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal reflect New Delhi's ongoing drive to reinforce development partnerships and strategic ties across various domains. "We have a policy of Neighborhood First. We w…