1 What Is South Asia?
South Asia is generally understood to comprise seven countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Himalayas to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south make this region one geographical unit. These countries share a common history, but their political paths diverged after independence.
| Country | Political Experience |
|---|---|
| India, Sri Lanka | A democratic system has continued since independence |
| Pakistan, Bangladesh | Repeated shifts between democratic and military rule |
| Nepal | A long struggle from monarchy towards democracy |
| Bhutan | A monarchy that has gradually moved towards democracy |
| Maldives | From a sultanate to a republic, and then multi-party democracy |
2 The Path to Democracy
Pakistan
Military rule returned repeatedly because of the influence of the army, religious organisations and the landowning class, and weak democratic institutions.
Bangladesh
Became an independent nation by separating from Pakistan in 1971; went through spells of military rule later, before multi-party democracy returned.
Nepal
Monarchy continued for a long time; a democratic transition took place in 2006 after movements by the people and the Maoists.
Sri Lanka
Democracy survived, but the Sinhala–Tamil ethnic conflict turned into a long civil war; the LTTE was defeated in 2009.
For any question on “experiences of democracy in South Asia”, be sure to write that ordinary people across the region support democracy, whatever form of government their own country has had: this is the chapter’s main conclusion.
3 India and Pakistan
The dispute over Kashmir began right after Partition, and remains the biggest knot in relations between the two countries to this day. The two countries fought wars in 1947–48, 1965 and 1971, and the Kargil conflict took place in 1999.
The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) is the region’s most successful example of cooperation: it has held continuously despite wars and tension. When the exam asks for “an example of cooperation”, this is the strongest answer.
Points of Conflict
- The Kashmir dispute
- Control over the Siachen Glacier
- Cross-border terrorism
- Sharing of river waters
Attempts at Cooperation
- The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty: has held despite tensions
- Confidence-building steps such as bus services and trade
- Summit talks and people-to-people contact
4 India and Its Other Neighbours
| Country | Cooperation | Points of Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | India’s support in 1971; partnership on disaster management and the environment | Sharing of river waters, illegal migration, border disputes |
| Nepal | An open border, deep social–cultural ties, trade | Periodic differences over trade and security |
| Sri Lanka | The 1987 India–Sri Lanka Accord and the peacekeeping force; economic cooperation | Differences over India’s role on the Tamil question |
| Bhutan, Maldives | Friendly relations with India; cooperation on development and security | No major dispute |
5 SAARC and Regional Cooperation
SAARC: the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, whose charter was signed in December 1985. It is a platform for economic, social and cultural cooperation among the countries of the region.
SAFTA: the South Asian Free Trade Area, signed at the 12th SAARC summit in January 2004. Its aim is to create a free-trade area within the region by lowering tariffs on trade.
SAARC’s success has been limited, because political differences among member states, especially between India and Pakistan, have repeatedly come in the way of cooperation. Even so, it remains an important platform for dialogue.
- The seven countries of South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives
- Democracy continued in India and Sri Lanka; Pakistan and Bangladesh saw spells of military rule
- Bangladesh became independent in 1971; Nepal’s democratic transition came in 2006
- Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka; the LTTE was defeated in 2009
- India–Pakistan wars in 1947–48, 1965, 1971, and Kargil in 1999
- The Indus Waters Treaty, 1960: held despite tensions, the best example of cooperation
- The SAARC charter, December 1985; SAFTA, January 2004
- Ordinary people across the region support democracy: the chapter’s main conclusion
- 1 MarkWhich seven countries are generally counted as South Asia?
- 1 MarkWhen was the SAARC charter signed?
- 1 MarkIn which year was SAFTA signed?
- 1 MarkIn which year did Bangladesh become independent?
- 1 MarkIn which year was the Indus Waters Treaty signed?
- 1 MarkIn which year did the democratic transition in Nepal take place?
- 1 MarkWhen was the LTTE defeated in Sri Lanka?
- 1 MarkIn which year did the Kargil conflict take place?
- 2 MarksWhy has the path to democracy been difficult in Pakistan? Give any two reasons.
- 2 MarksWhy is the Indus Waters Treaty considered a good example of cooperation?
- 2 MarksBriefly describe the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
- 4 MarksState four issues of conflict between India and Pakistan.
- 4 MarksWrite the points of cooperation and difference in India’s relations with Bangladesh and Nepal.
- 4 MarksCompare the democratic experiences of the countries of South Asia.
- 4 MarksWhy has SAARC’s success been limited?
- 6 MarksDescribe in detail the experience of democracy in South Asia.
- 6 MarksExplain both the conflict and cooperation aspects of India–Pakistan relations.
- 6 MarksThrow light on the aims and achievements of SAARC and SAFTA.
- 1 MarkThe SAARC charter was signed in:
(a) 1971(b) 1985(c) 1999(d) 2004 - 1 MarkSAFTA was signed at which SAARC summit?
(a) 10th(b) 11th(c) 12th(d) 14th - 1 MarkIn which year was the Indus Waters Treaty signed?
(a) 1947(b) 1960(c) 1971(d) 1985 - 1 MarkBangladesh became independent in:
(a) 1965(b) 1971(c) 1975(d) 1987 - 1 MarkThe LTTE was defeated in Sri Lanka in:
(a) 1987(b) 1999(c) 2006(d) 2009
Options: (a) Both true, R correctly explains A · (b) Both true, R does not explain A · (c) A true, R false · (d) A false, R true.
- 1 Mark
Assertion (A): The Indus Waters Treaty is an example of India–Pakistan cooperation.
Reason (R): The treaty has held despite wars and tension. - 1 Mark
Assertion (A): Democracy has looked the same in every South Asian country.
Reason (R): Pakistan and Bangladesh went through spells of military rule.