Which of the following is not a part of contemporary Indian foreign policy in relationships with its neighbours ?

The correct answer is Option 3: Non-alignment.

While Non-alignment (NAM) was the bedrock of India’s foreign policy during the Cold War era under Jawaharlal Nehru, it is no longer the defining framework of contemporary Indian foreign policy, especially in the neighborhood context. Modern Indian diplomacy has transitioned toward Strategic Autonomy and Multi-alignment, focusing on pragmatic, issue-based partnerships rather than the traditional bloc-neutrality of NAM.

Why other options are part of contemporary policy:

• Look East (now Act East): Remains a central pillar for regional connectivity and security via Myanmar.
• Panchsheel: These five principles of peaceful coexistence continue to formally underpin India’s bilateral treaties and diplomatic rhetoric with neighbors.
• SAARC: Despite functional challenges, it remains the primary formal institutional mechanism for South Asian regional cooperation.

Therefore, Non-alignment is considered an ideological legacy rather than an active contemporary strategy for managing neighborhood relations.