South Asia mired in mutual suspicion
Yuba Nath Lamsal
South Asia as a region is often looked upon by the world in a negative light. South Asia is touted as a region of poor and backward people, which is often conflict ridden and hotbed of terrorism. Such a remark may appear to be quite disparaging. But this is true, to a large extent, which can be substantiated by facts and figures. South Asia is home to the largest number of poor people in the world. Perhaps, one third population of the world’s poorest people live in South Asia. It is backward as its development level is only better than sub-Saharan Africa. The intrinsic conflict within a state and between states is worse than anywhere in the world. The level of animosity is so high that the clouds of war always hover in South Asian sky. No country in the region is in a position to fully trust the other. Every country suspects the other and there is hardly any harmony in relationship among them. Communal distrust and conflict are also high in the region. Communal riots are regular phenomenon in India. It is mostly between Hindus and Muslims. Sri Lanka, too, saw a worst war that was waged on communal basis. The Hindu Tamils fought for a separate state for decades but the government dominated by Buddhist Sinhala population crushed the separatist movement of Tamils. However, the animosity between the two ethnic communities has not been fully put to an end. The divide between Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamils is deep. Pakistan is an Islamic country with more than 80 per cent people belonging to different Islamic sects. The Hindus are in minority, who sometimes suffer harassment and attack in the hand of Muslim fundamentalists, although the policy of the government allows minorities to observe their religious activities without hindrances. Similar is the case with Bangladesh and Maldives. Bangladesh has overwhelming majority of Muslim population. Sometimes Bangladesh government adopts prejudiced policy against religious minorities. But the situation is beginning to change especially after the Awami League government headed by Sheikh Hasina was formed. Bangladesh was created in 1971 as a liberal and secular country despite overwhelming majority of Muslims. Sheikh Mujiber Rahaman, who is called in Bangladesh as the ‘Bangabandhu’ (Friend of Bangladesh) was assassinated along with his family members by fundamentalists for his liberal and secular policy. With Awami League back in power with overwhelming majority, the demand for reviving the old secular constitution, to which Sheikh Hasina has responded positively.
Maldives is an Islamic country which was under dictatorship. But it is slowly opening after last year’s general election in which a liberal minded president came to power. Bhutan is the only dictatorship in the SAARC. Bhutan boasts to have preserved its Buddhist culture and religion. Bhutan has adopted the worst ethnic cleansing policy in South Asia by already evicting the Nepali speaking Hindu population out of the country. More than 1,25,000 Nepali speaking Hindus, who constitute one-fourth of the total population of Bhutan, have been forcibly driven out of the country. It is not only the Nepali-speaking Hindus but the native Ngalung people have also been forced to go on exile or serve severe jail term for demanding political freedom in Bhutan. In the name of preserving Buddhist culture, Bhutan is preserving dictatorship with strong protection and patronage of India. Buddhism is a democratic and peaceful religion but Bhutan has ridiculed Buddhism by denying democracy and rights to the people and using violent force to suppress democratic movement. India claims to be the world’s largest democracy and champion of democratic values in the world. But New Delhi has patronized monarchical dictatorship and its ethnic cleansing policy in its own backyard.
So far as Nepal is concerned, it is undergoing a phenomenal change and political transformation. After a decade long violent insurgency, a peace process is underway that has given a nugget of hope for peace, prosperity and stability. However, the peace process is damn slow triggering speculations that the undergoing political process is reaching a stage of slow death. If the ongoing peace process gets derailed, Nepal is likely to return to the old days of violence and civil war. Nepal’s political parties’ inaction and narrow views are fundamentally responsible behind this situation. But foreign meddling—to be specific Indian interference— has also equally contributed to creating political volatility in Nepal.
In recent years, this region has earned the reputation of a breeding ground for terrorism. As a result, the focus of international war on terror has been shifted to South Asia. Afghanistan is the birth place of Taleban Islamic fundamentalists that provided base for Al Queda, a deadly international terrorist organization. Al Queda is behind most deadly attacks on several key interests of the Western countries in general and the United States of America in particular. The US –led multi-national forces are waging a war on terror in Afghanistan. Although some success has been achieved, the complete victory over terrorists in Afghanistan is still elusive. Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to the region.
Despite having historical, social and cultural affinity, the relationship between the countries in the region is marked by mistrust and suspicion. The clash of interests, differing security perception and false notion of cultural superiority have fueled conflict and wars in the region. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over Kashmir, which has, in a way or the other, afflicted the entire. Even a layperson understands that peace in South Asia is not possible unless Kashmir issue is resolved. Yet the issue has not yet been addressed amicably. Kashmir continues to remain a disputed territory. Every day, people are being killed, tortured and harassed by Indian troops and also by militants. While India and Pakistan are fighting a proxy war in Kashmir, people are caught in the crossfire. The tension has prolonged in Kashmir for more than six decades because India refused to abide by an agreement reached between India and Pakistan to hold plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir. The United Nation Security Council, too, adopted the resolution backing the plebiscite and calling for its early implementation. But this has never materialized because of India’s unwillingness to conduct plebiscite, which is not only a violation of international treaty but also a disregard to the United Nations.
The menace of terrorism in Afghanistan has spilled over to Pakistan. As a result, Pakistan is fighting battle in two fronts. In the first place, Islamabad is hard bent on wiping out terrorism being perpetrated by Islamic militants while it is an ally of international war on terror in Afghanistan. Despite protests from different sectors, Pakistan has been cooperating with the US-led multi-national force in its bid to defeat and wipe out terrorism. Pakistan is, thus, a target of Islamic militants because of its support in international war on terror.
India, too, is fighting tooth and nail in various fronts. There are more than a dozen insurgent groups that have waged war against Indian establishment. Some are fighting against centralized system and policy of the central and state governments while others are fighting for separate state within the Indian union. Some groups have even waged war demanding disintegration from Indian union. The insurgents groups include Nagas, Bodos, Mizos, Ulfas, Gorkhas, Sikhs and the Maoists to name a few. Mizos, Bodos, Ulfas and Gorkhas are demanding separate autonomous states within the Indian union where Nagas and Sikhs want to be separate from Indian union. Sikh movement was completely crushed by applying brutal force. But Sikh community still carries a deep-rooted animosity and hatred towards Indian government, which can surface and flare up anytime in future. The Naga insurgency, although weakened slightly, is still active.
The case of the Maoist communists in India is different. They are fighting neither for a separate province not for disintegration of India. They want to liberate Indian people from the exploitative feudal social, political and economic structure for which they want to overthrow the present parliamentary system and establish a communist state. The influence of the Maoists is expanding slowly. Out of 622 districts throughout India, the Maoists have influence in over 224 districts. That means almost 40 per cent population of India is under the Maoist influence. Similarly, the Indian establishment treats Muslims as second grade citizens. Muslims constitute almost 15 per cent of India’s total population. If the population of Muslims, Mizos, Nagas, Gorkhas, Ulfas, Bodos and the Maoist supporters are put together, it constitutes more than 60 per cent population of India. This means Indian establishment has alienated more than 60 per cent people that include the Maoists, Muslims, Nagas, Mizos, Ulfas, Sikhs, Bodos and Gorkhas alike.
This is the scenario of South Asia. The animosity and lack of harmonious and cooperative relations among the countries of South Asia has contributed to further worsening the situation. These negative features have eclipsed the positive sides. Some countries in the region especially the bigger ones have the tendency of treating the smaller states as junior partners, which is the main reason for causing mistrust and suspicion. This has served as the main roadblock towards confidence building and fostering cooperative relations in a true spirit of genuine neighborliness. Despite all these pessimistic views, South Asia, indeed, possesses some positive characteristics which, if properly harnessed and utilized, the region can be turned into a prosperous zone. It would do well if South Asian countries identity the positive features and make best use of theirs for the common good of the people in the region.
South Asia as a region is often looked upon by the world in a negative light. South Asia is touted as a region of poor and backward people, which is often conflict ridden and hotbed of terrorism. Such a remark may appear to be quite disparaging. But this is true, to a large extent, which can be substantiated by facts and figures. South Asia is home to the largest number of poor people in the world. Perhaps, one third population of the world’s poorest people live in South Asia. It is backward as its development level is only better than sub-Saharan Africa. The intrinsic conflict within a state and between states is worse than anywhere in the world. The level of animosity is so high that the clouds of war always hover in South Asian sky. No country in the region is in a position to fully trust the other. Every country suspects the other and there is hardly any harmony in relationship among them. Communal distrust and conflict are also high in the region. Communal riots are regular phenomenon in India. It is mostly between Hindus and Muslims. Sri Lanka, too, saw a worst war that was waged on communal basis. The Hindu Tamils fought for a separate state for decades but the government dominated by Buddhist Sinhala population crushed the separatist movement of Tamils. However, the animosity between the two ethnic communities has not been fully put to an end. The divide between Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamils is deep. Pakistan is an Islamic country with more than 80 per cent people belonging to different Islamic sects. The Hindus are in minority, who sometimes suffer harassment and attack in the hand of Muslim fundamentalists, although the policy of the government allows minorities to observe their religious activities without hindrances. Similar is the case with Bangladesh and Maldives. Bangladesh has overwhelming majority of Muslim population. Sometimes Bangladesh government adopts prejudiced policy against religious minorities. But the situation is beginning to change especially after the Awami League government headed by Sheikh Hasina was formed. Bangladesh was created in 1971 as a liberal and secular country despite overwhelming majority of Muslims. Sheikh Mujiber Rahaman, who is called in Bangladesh as the ‘Bangabandhu’ (Friend of Bangladesh) was assassinated along with his family members by fundamentalists for his liberal and secular policy. With Awami League back in power with overwhelming majority, the demand for reviving the old secular constitution, to which Sheikh Hasina has responded positively.
Maldives is an Islamic country which was under dictatorship. But it is slowly opening after last year’s general election in which a liberal minded president came to power. Bhutan is the only dictatorship in the SAARC. Bhutan boasts to have preserved its Buddhist culture and religion. Bhutan has adopted the worst ethnic cleansing policy in South Asia by already evicting the Nepali speaking Hindu population out of the country. More than 1,25,000 Nepali speaking Hindus, who constitute one-fourth of the total population of Bhutan, have been forcibly driven out of the country. It is not only the Nepali-speaking Hindus but the native Ngalung people have also been forced to go on exile or serve severe jail term for demanding political freedom in Bhutan. In the name of preserving Buddhist culture, Bhutan is preserving dictatorship with strong protection and patronage of India. Buddhism is a democratic and peaceful religion but Bhutan has ridiculed Buddhism by denying democracy and rights to the people and using violent force to suppress democratic movement. India claims to be the world’s largest democracy and champion of democratic values in the world. But New Delhi has patronized monarchical dictatorship and its ethnic cleansing policy in its own backyard.
So far as Nepal is concerned, it is undergoing a phenomenal change and political transformation. After a decade long violent insurgency, a peace process is underway that has given a nugget of hope for peace, prosperity and stability. However, the peace process is damn slow triggering speculations that the undergoing political process is reaching a stage of slow death. If the ongoing peace process gets derailed, Nepal is likely to return to the old days of violence and civil war. Nepal’s political parties’ inaction and narrow views are fundamentally responsible behind this situation. But foreign meddling—to be specific Indian interference— has also equally contributed to creating political volatility in Nepal.
In recent years, this region has earned the reputation of a breeding ground for terrorism. As a result, the focus of international war on terror has been shifted to South Asia. Afghanistan is the birth place of Taleban Islamic fundamentalists that provided base for Al Queda, a deadly international terrorist organization. Al Queda is behind most deadly attacks on several key interests of the Western countries in general and the United States of America in particular. The US –led multi-national forces are waging a war on terror in Afghanistan. Although some success has been achieved, the complete victory over terrorists in Afghanistan is still elusive. Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to the region.
Despite having historical, social and cultural affinity, the relationship between the countries in the region is marked by mistrust and suspicion. The clash of interests, differing security perception and false notion of cultural superiority have fueled conflict and wars in the region. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over Kashmir, which has, in a way or the other, afflicted the entire. Even a layperson understands that peace in South Asia is not possible unless Kashmir issue is resolved. Yet the issue has not yet been addressed amicably. Kashmir continues to remain a disputed territory. Every day, people are being killed, tortured and harassed by Indian troops and also by militants. While India and Pakistan are fighting a proxy war in Kashmir, people are caught in the crossfire. The tension has prolonged in Kashmir for more than six decades because India refused to abide by an agreement reached between India and Pakistan to hold plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir. The United Nation Security Council, too, adopted the resolution backing the plebiscite and calling for its early implementation. But this has never materialized because of India’s unwillingness to conduct plebiscite, which is not only a violation of international treaty but also a disregard to the United Nations.
The menace of terrorism in Afghanistan has spilled over to Pakistan. As a result, Pakistan is fighting battle in two fronts. In the first place, Islamabad is hard bent on wiping out terrorism being perpetrated by Islamic militants while it is an ally of international war on terror in Afghanistan. Despite protests from different sectors, Pakistan has been cooperating with the US-led multi-national force in its bid to defeat and wipe out terrorism. Pakistan is, thus, a target of Islamic militants because of its support in international war on terror.
India, too, is fighting tooth and nail in various fronts. There are more than a dozen insurgent groups that have waged war against Indian establishment. Some are fighting against centralized system and policy of the central and state governments while others are fighting for separate state within the Indian union. Some groups have even waged war demanding disintegration from Indian union. The insurgents groups include Nagas, Bodos, Mizos, Ulfas, Gorkhas, Sikhs and the Maoists to name a few. Mizos, Bodos, Ulfas and Gorkhas are demanding separate autonomous states within the Indian union where Nagas and Sikhs want to be separate from Indian union. Sikh movement was completely crushed by applying brutal force. But Sikh community still carries a deep-rooted animosity and hatred towards Indian government, which can surface and flare up anytime in future. The Naga insurgency, although weakened slightly, is still active.
The case of the Maoist communists in India is different. They are fighting neither for a separate province not for disintegration of India. They want to liberate Indian people from the exploitative feudal social, political and economic structure for which they want to overthrow the present parliamentary system and establish a communist state. The influence of the Maoists is expanding slowly. Out of 622 districts throughout India, the Maoists have influence in over 224 districts. That means almost 40 per cent population of India is under the Maoist influence. Similarly, the Indian establishment treats Muslims as second grade citizens. Muslims constitute almost 15 per cent of India’s total population. If the population of Muslims, Mizos, Nagas, Gorkhas, Ulfas, Bodos and the Maoist supporters are put together, it constitutes more than 60 per cent population of India. This means Indian establishment has alienated more than 60 per cent people that include the Maoists, Muslims, Nagas, Mizos, Ulfas, Sikhs, Bodos and Gorkhas alike.
This is the scenario of South Asia. The animosity and lack of harmonious and cooperative relations among the countries of South Asia has contributed to further worsening the situation. These negative features have eclipsed the positive sides. Some countries in the region especially the bigger ones have the tendency of treating the smaller states as junior partners, which is the main reason for causing mistrust and suspicion. This has served as the main roadblock towards confidence building and fostering cooperative relations in a true spirit of genuine neighborliness. Despite all these pessimistic views, South Asia, indeed, possesses some positive characteristics which, if properly harnessed and utilized, the region can be turned into a prosperous zone. It would do well if South Asian countries identity the positive features and make best use of theirs for the common good of the people in the region.
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