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WHAT IS SOUTH ASIA?
Meaning of South Asia -
the expressions of South Asia usually includes the following countries-
* Bangladesh
* India
* Nepal
* Bhutan
* Maldives
* Pakistan
* Srilanka.......
Geographical boundaries Himalaya in the north and the first Indian Ocean in the south the Arabian sea in the west and the bay of Bengal in the East.
South Asia stands for diversity in every sense and yet constitutes one of the important geo political space.
Important Question-
"democracy is an accepted norm in entire region of South Asia." how?
Despite the minded record of the democratic experience the people in all these countries share the aspirations for democracy. The following are the three arguments in support of this statement-
A) A survey was done recorded to know the attitudes of the people in the five big countries of South Asia. This server clearly showed that there was widespread support for democracy in all these countries.
B) Ordinary citizens including rich as well as poor are belonging to various religious considered the idea of democracy positively and assist the institutions of representative democracy. Two graphs based on interview clearly show that Trend.
C) These graphs show that the ordinary citizens prefer democracy over any other form of government.
D) They also think that democracy is suitable for their country. These eye opening findings blast the old myth that democracy would flourish and find popularity only in rich countries of the world. In this perspective the South Asian experience of democracy has enhanced the global concept of democracy.
THE MILITARY AND DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN
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1. General Ayub Khan took over the administration of the country and soon get himself elected. he had to give up office when there was popular revolt due to the dissatisfaction against his rule.
2. Once again of under General Yahya Khan's military rule, Pakistan faced the Bangladesh crisis, and after a war with India in 1971, East Pakistan broke away to emerge as an independent country called Bangladesh.
3. An Elected government under the leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came to power in Pakistan from 1971 to 1977.
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5. Pakistani politics centred around the competition between her party, the Pakistan's people party and the Muslim league.
6. This phase of elective democracy lasted till 1999 when the army stepped in again and general Pervez Musharraf removed prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
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Pakistan's failure in building a stable democracy
* It is mainly Jinnah's screwed and self centred mechanism in politics which sowed the seeds of separation/ factionalism first in India and then started harvesting its crop in Pakistan.
* It misguided several people through ambivalence in laws, system and constitution as well.Pakistan is now a merely a puppet in the hands of USA and other Western countries.
* In Pakistan the elected governments were frequently toppled due to social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy.
* Pakistan's conflict with India was given more power to the pro military groups, these military groups always condemned the political parties and democracy and also justified army's stay in power.
* The absence of Serious international support for democratic rule in Pakistan has certainly boosted the military to carry on its dominance.
The US and other Western countries have also supported the military authoritarian rule for their own political calculation. Western countries believe that military rule in Pakistan is more suitable to check global Islamic terrorism and to avoid the misuse of nuclear arsenal.
INDIA PAKISTAN RELATIONS
Agreements
1) The two countries have agreed to undertake the confidence building measures to reduce the risk of war.
2) A number of bus routes have been opened up between the two countries.
3) A train service have started operating between two countries.
4) No doubt efforts are being made to have a durable peace but there is a little possibility of friendly relationship because Kashmir continues to be the main problem between the two countries .
5) Pakistan is also responsible for terrorist activities in India such as Mumbai blast. such actions on the part of Pakistan obstacles in the way of friendly relation between the two countries.
Conflicts-
1. Kashmir issue:- After the partition, the two countries get into conflict over the fate of Kashmir.
in 1947 Pakistan invaded Kashmir and occupied a large portion of its territory.
India raised this issue in the security council of UNO.
A ceasefire was finally enforced between the two countries, But the tension between the two countries could not be checked,
Pakistan has not yet vacated the territory which they had occupied during the war.
In 1965 Pakistan again tried to capture Kashmir through military forces by the Indian forces failed its evil desire as there was a war between the two countries, which was brought to an end by the good efforts of USSR and taskent agreement was signed between the two countries in 1966.
India return all the territories back to Pakistan which they occupied during the war.
In 1971 again war broke out between the two countries over the issue of Bangladesh.
Pakistan was again defeated and a big part of its territory was separated to become the independent state of Bangladesh.
the PM of both countries Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Bhutto meet at Shimla and an agreement known as Simla agreement was signed between the two countries in 1972. the two States argued agreed to solve their problems in a peaceful and friendly manner.
Strategic issues
India's conflict with Pakistan is also over strategic issues like the conflict or control of Siachen glacier and over acquisition of arms.
Nuclear explosion:
In 1998 India conducted nuclear explosion in pokhran, Pakistan responded within a few days by craving out nuclear test in the chagai hills.
Government continues to be suspicious-
The Indian government has blamed the Pakistan government for using a strategy of Low-key violence by helping the Kashmiri militants with arms, training, money and protection to carry out terrorist strikes against India.
Indian government also believes that Pakistan had aided the pro- khalistani militants with arms and ammunitions during the period 1985 to 1995.
Its spy agency interservice intelligence ISI is a light alleged to be involved in various anti India campaigns in India's north East., operating secretly throughout Bangladesh and Nepal.
the Government of Pakistan in return blames the Indian Government and its security agency for formenting trouble in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.
Sharing of river waters
Until 1960 they were locked in an fierce agreement over the use of river of the Indus basin.
in 1960 with the help of the the World bank india and pakistan signed the Indus water treaty which was survived to this day in spite of various military conflicts both are involved..
Minor disputes over control of resources in India at joining sir creek in the Rann of Kutch.
Bangladesh
East Pakistan begin protesting against West Pakistan reasons-
West Pakistan unfair treatment meted out to the Bengali culture and language of East Pakistan.
they also demanded East Pakistan does not have a representation in administration and a fair share in political power.
Struggle for-
Sheikh mujib ur Rahman led the popular struggle against West Pakistani domination and demanded autonomy for the eastern region.
In the 1970 election in the then Pakistan, the awami league led the sheikh Mujib won all the seats in East Pakistan and secured a majority in the proposed constituent assembly for the whole of Pakistan.
But the government dominated by the best Pakistani leadership refused to convene the assembly.
Sheikh mujib was arrested under the military rule of general Yahya Khan, the Pakistani army tried to suppress the mass movements of the Bengali people . Thousands were killed by the Pakistan army.
This led to a large scale migration into India, creating a huge refugee problem for India.
India supported the demand of the people of East Pakistan for their independence and help them financially and militarily.
This resulted in a war between India and Pakistan in December 1971 that ended in the surrender of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh as an independent country.
In 1972 Shimla agreement signed between India and Pakistan
Bangladesh's constitution and administration
Bangladesh drafted the constitution declaring faith in secularism democracy and socialism.
In 1975 Shaikh mujib got the constitution amended from the parliamentary to presidential form of Government.
He also abolished all parties except his own, the Awami league. this lead to conflicts and tensions, in a dramatic and tragic development, he was assassinated in a military uprising in August 1975.
The new military ruler, Ziaur-Rahman formed his own Bangladesh national party and won elections in 1979, he was assassinated and another military takeover followed under the leadership of LT. General H. M Ershad.
Then the people of Bangladesh soon rose in support of the demand for democracy. he allowed political activity on a limited scale. he also later elected as president for five years
Mass people protest made Ershad step down in 1990. Elections were held in 1991.
Since then representative democracy based on multi party election has been working in Bangladesh
Areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh
1. Better economic relations:- Despite their differences India and Bangladesh do co-operate on various issues. Economic relations have improved considerably in the last 10 years.
2. Look East policy:- Bangladesh is a part of India's look East policy that wants to link up with South East Asia via Myanmar.
3. Cooperation in Disaster Management:- On disaster management and environmental issues, the two States have cooperated regularly.
DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH
1. Sharing river waters:- The Government of India and Bangladesh have had differences over several issues like including the sharing of Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters.
2. Illegal immigration to India:- The Indian government has been unhappy with Bangladesh's denial of illegal immigrations to India.
3. It supports for anti- India Islamic fundamentalist groups, Bangladesh's refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to North eastern India.
4. Its decision not to allow export natural gases to India or allow Myanmar to do so through Bangladeshi territory.
Bangladeshi Government have felt that the Indian government behaves like a regional bully over the sharing of river waters, encouraging rebellion in the Chittagong hill tracts, trying to extract its natural gas and being unfair in trade.
Nepal(MONARCHY AND DEMOCRACY)
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But The king accepted the demand for a new democratic constitution in 1990 in the wake of a strong pro-democracy movement.
During the 1990s, the Maoist of Nepal where successful in spreading their influence in many parts of Nepal.
The believed in armed insurgence against the monarch and the ruling Elite. This led to a violent conflict between the Maoist guerrillas and the armed forces of the king.
There was a triangular conflict among the monarchist forces, the democratic and the maoist.
In 16 April 2002 the king abolish the parliament and dismiss the government does ending even the limited democracy that existed in Nepal.
In April 2006 there were massive, country-wide pro-democracy protest. The king was forced to restored the house of representatives that had been dissolved in April 2002 the largely non violent movement was led by seven party alliance, the Maoist and social activist.
Constitution of Nepal, 2015 says Nepal is a federal democratic and republic country.
RELATION BETWEEN INDIA AND NEPAL
AGREEMENT
THE TREATY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES ALLOW THE CITIZENS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL TO and WORK IN THE OTHER COUNTRY WITHOUT VISA AND PASSPORT.
RELATIONS ARE FAIRLY STABLE AND PEACEFUL.
TRADE, SCIENTIFIC OPERATION, COMMON NATURAL RESOURCES, ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND INTERLOCKING WATER MANAGEMENT GRIDS HOLDS THE TWO COUNTRIES TOGETHER.
There is a hope that the consolidation of democracy in Nepal will lead to improvement in the ties between both.
Disagreement
1. Indian government has often express displeasure at the worm relationship between Nepal and China and at the Nepal governments inaction against anti Indian elements
2. Indian security agencies see the maoists movement in Nepal as a growing security threat, given the rise of naxalite groups in various Indian states from Bihar in the north to Andhra Pradesh in the south
3. Nepal thinks that the Indian government interferes in its internal affairs has design on its river waters and hydroelectricity and prevents Nepal, a landlocked country, from getting easier access to the sea through Indian territory.
Important question- "By the ethnic conflict Sri Lanka has maintained political system and registered considerable economic growth and high level of human development". explain.?
Srilanka
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Sri Lanka has retained democracy since its independence in 1948.
however ethnic issues with internal system or sovereignty for Sri Lanka has since the beginning brought bitterness.
Majoritarian democracy is existed there because of sinhalese majority duly supported by legal framework.
it is argued that about 2 lakhs Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamils of Indian origin were excluded from privileges and representation in government. since 1948 I.e the year when Sri Lanka could attend to freedom from the British.
Sinhalese ideology is that the section of tribe claims absolute right. on the land of Sri Lanka and looks down upon Sri Lankan Tamils and other Tamils in Row to taste the realm of citizenship not so long since 1948 provided with them, both of this fractions are become of inequality and mal-administration to provide all South Indian peoples citizenship without any hard parameters.
That mal- administration at Government level perhaps due to sinhalese biased ideology reach at the prime in 1987 when Indian government was pressurized by her people to send their peacekeeping forces.
it was mistook in violence of sovereignty and a gross trespass or interference with Sri Lanka's internal affairs matters especially by National list Sinhalese presently privilege to rule over Sri Lanka Tamils and Tamils of Indian origin who developed their Tamil Eelam (demand of a separate state) for both these tribes still discriminated in the matters of citizenship since date back 1948.
Economic growth
as per human development report 2006,Sri Lanka GDP per capita in 2004 was 4390 Dollars( viz in purchasing party per capita in US dollars).
GDP per capita global level is 8833 US dollar. it is 4775 US dollars in an average of developing countries and that of South Asia (seven countries) is 3072 US dollars.
Human Development is the ultimate outcome or accomplishment of system and rational teaching that keeps economic growth subservient to human development.
it's actually is a single particle to the cluster of other features of HDI like life expectancy at birth, adult literacy, combined grow school enrollment, infant mortality rate, prevalance of TB, under nourished population ratio, population living under one US dollar per day and access to improve sanitation.
Sri Lanka stands ahead India in terms of life expectancy at birth 74.3 /1000, adult literacy rate 92.7%, gross enrolment ratio 63% ,gross per capita US dollar 4319 per month infant mortality rate 12 undernourished population ratio 22% a little bit higher rate than India that is 20% population living under 1 US dollar 5.6 rulers and urban as to improve sanitation 97 and 93% respectively.
Developments in srilanka
After it independence, politics in Sri Lanka ( it was then known as ceylon) was dominated by forces that represented the interest of the majority Sinhala community.
There were hostile to a large number of Tamil who had migrated from India to Sri Lanka and settle there , this migration continued even after independence. the Sinhala Nationalists thought that Sri Lanka should not give concession to the Tamils because Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhala people only.
The neglect of Tamil concern led to militant Tamil nationalism, from 1983 onwards, the liberation tigers of Tamil eelam LTTE has been fighting an armed struggle with army of Sri Lanka and demanding Tamil eelam or an separate country for the Tamils of Sri Lanka. the LTTE control the northestern parts of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan problems involved people of Indian origin, and there is a considerable pressure from the Tamil people in India to the effect that the Indian governments should protect the interest of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
In 1987 the Government of India signed and Accord with Sri Lanka and send troops to stabilize relations between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamils.
eventually the Indian army got into a fight with the LTTE, however intervention by government of India was not liked by the Sri Lanka. On account of this the Indian peace keeping force was pulled out of Sri Lanka without attending its objective in 1989.
Presently, the Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Iceland are trying to bring the warring groups back to negotiations in Sri Lanka. the future of island hinges on the outcome of the talks.
Sri Lanka's achievement in HDI-
In spite of the ongoing conflict Sri Lanka has registered considerable economic growth and high level of human Development.
Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to contain the rate of population growth there.
it is the first country in the region to liberalise the economy, and it has had the highest per capita income, gross domestic product(GDP) for many years right through the civil war.
despite the ravages of internal conflicts it has maintained a democratic political system.
Relations between India and Sri Lanka
The difficulties in the relationship between the governments of India and Sri Lanka are mostly over ethnic conflict in the Island Nations.
Indian leaders and citizens find it impossible to remain neutral when Tamils are politically unhappy and being killed.
After the military intervention in 1987, the Indian government not prefers a policy of disengagement visa-a-vis Sri Lanka's internal troubles.
India signed a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka with strength and relations between the two countries. India help it post Tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka has also brought the two countries closer.
India- Bhutan(Relationship)
India has very special relation with Bhutan.
there is no major conflict between the two countries.
Bhutan has taken against action against the guerrillas and militants from North eastern India.
India gives development aid to Bhutan particularly in hydroelectricity projects.
India remains the Himalayan kingdoms biggest source of development aid.
India's relation between Maldives
India ties with the Maldives remain warm and cordial.
In November 1988, when some Tamil machineries from Sri Lanka attack the Maldives , the Indian airforce and Navy reacted quickly to the Maldives' request to help stop the invasion.
India has also contributed towards the island's economic development, tourism and fisheries.
Nepal and Bhutan had disagreement in the past over the migration of ethnic Nepalese into Bhutan.
Bangladesh and Myanmar have had disagreement in the past over the migration of ethnic rohingya as into the Myanmar
Bangladesh and Nepal have had some differences over the future of the Himalayan river water.
The major conflicts and differences, though, are between India and the others, partly because of the geography of the region, in which India is located centrally and is therefore the only country that borders the others.
Peace and cooperation
The states of South Asia recognise the importance of cooperation and friendly relationship.
SAARC:
the South Asian association for regional cooperation is a major regional initiative by South Asian States to evolve corporation through multilateral means.
it begin in 1985 yet due to continuous political differences, SAARC has not much success.
SAARC members signed the South Asian free trade agreement which promised the formation of free trade zone for whole of South Asia.
SAFTA was signed in 2004 and came into effect on 1st January 2006.
SAFTA AIMS at lowering trade tariffs to 20% by 2007.
Following countries have given its effect-
India has executed bilateral agreements with Bhutan Nepal and Sri Lanka .
by virtue of SAARC, India and Pakistan are practicing CBMs to bring normalcy in relations.
both countries are attending summits held by SAARC regularly.
Limitations
USA and China's undue interference with internal affairs of SAARC continues has almost created deadlocks.
Few member due to their self centred approach understand SAARC's efforts only favourable to India as she may invade their markets and influence their societies and politics especially Pakistan.
Important question-
How external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia?
No reason exist in isolation.
it is influenced by outside powers.
China and us are key players in South Asian politics.
America has been influencing bilateral relations in South Asian politics since the end of cold war in the following ways-
The US has good relation with both India and Pakistan since the end of cold war .
It works as a moderator in Indo Pak relation
Economic reforms and liberal economic politics in both the countries have increased the American participation.
A large number of people from South Asia are working in USA and this gives America an added stake in the future of regional security and peace.
Problems of south east countries
Conflicts in reasons
borders and water sharing disputes remain unsolved
south-east reason suffers from insurgency ethnic strife and conflicts on resource sharing.
south-east stands for diversity in every sense and constitutes one political space
rivalary, coop hopes Despair, mutual suspicion and trust coexist
all south east Nations share aspiration for democracy which is not common in West Asia, South East Asia.
China and the United States remain key players in South Asian politics. Sino-Indian relations have improved significantly in the last ten years, but China’s strategic partnership with Pakistan remains a major irritant.
The demands of development and globalisation have brought the two Asian giants closer, and their economic ties have multiplied rapidly since 1991.
American involvement in South Asia has rapidly increased after the Cold War. The US has had good relations with both India and Pakistan since the end of the Cold War and increasingly works as a moderator in India-Pakistan relations.
Economic reforms and liberal economic policies in both countries have greatly increased the depth of American participation in the region.
The large South Asian diasporas in the US and the huge size of the population and markets of the region also give America an added stake in the future of regional security and peace.
Thank you
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