The 'Gujral Doctrine' relates to which one of the following issues?

The correct answer is A, Build trust between India and its neighbours. The Gujral Doctrine is a set of principles for India's relations with its immediate neighbours, put forward by I.K. Gujral in 1996 as External Affairs Minister and followed by him as Prime Minister in 1997-98. Its central idea is that India, as the largest country of South Asia, should not ask for reciprocity from smaller neighbours such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, but give and accommodate what it can in good faith. Its other principles are that no South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against another, none should interfere in another's internal affairs, all should respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and disputes should be settled through peaceful bilateral talks. The Ganga water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh in 1996 is often cited as an outcome. Option B is wrong because talks with insurgent groups are a matter of internal security. Option C is wrong because development of Naxal areas is a domestic policy. Option D is wrong because food security has nothing to do with this doctrine. Exam tip: Gujral Doctrine (1996) = non-reciprocal goodwill towards India's smaller neighbours.