class 12 political science notes chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia South Asia pdf
Chapter-5
Contemporary South Asia
1. South Asia is referred to as a
group of seven countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which stand for diversity in every sense and
constitutes geo-political space.
2. The various countries in South Asia do not have the same kind of Political system .Despite
many problems and limitations.Sri Lanka and India have successfully operated a
democratic system.Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military
rules.Nepal was a consititutional monarchy with the danger of the king taking over
executive powers.Bhutan is still a monarchy but the king has initiated plans for its
transition to multi-party democracy.Democracy strengthened in the Maldives after the
2005 elections.
3. The Awami League led by Sheikh Mujib won all the seats in east Pakistan and secured a
manjority in the proposed constituent assembly for the whole of Pakistan in the
1970,elections.
4. Bangladesh was a part of Pkistan from 1947 to 1971.During Yahya's Khan military rule
Pakistan faced the Bangladesh crisis and after a war with India in 1971,East Pakistan
broke away to emerge as an independent countary called Bangladesh.
5. In Pakistan, military rule and democracy are two sides of the coin because during
implementation of first constitution, General Ayub Khan took the command by elections,
but thrown away by military due to dissatisfaction of his rule. After 1971, an elected
government was formed under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, removed by General
Zia-ill-Haq in 1977.
6. Again in 1982, in Pakistan, by a pro-democracy protest, democratic government was
established in 1988 under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Later on
the history repeated and General Pervez Musharraftook the command in 1999 and got
elected in 2005 to be continued till date.
7. Several factors have contributed to Pakistan's failaure in building a stable democracy.The
social dominance of the military ,clergy and landowring aristocracy has led to the
frequent overthrow of elected government and the establishment of military
government.The lack of genuine international support for democratic rule in Pakistan
has further encouraged the military to continue its dominance.
8. Bangladesh drafted its own constitution declaring faith in secularism, democracy and
socialism. In 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman formed presidential set up, but was
assassinated in a military uprising. The new military ruler Ziaur Rahman, formed his
own Bangladesh National Party and won elections in 1979. He was assassinated and
another military take over followed under the leadership of Gen. H.M. Ershad. Since
1991, representative democracy has been working in Bangladesh.
9. Nepal was a Hindu Kingdom and became constitutional monarchy in modern period. The
struggle for restoration of democracy began in 1990 and 2007, when king restored house
of representatives. Even today Nepal is demanding the formation of constituent
assembly.
10. Ceylon, presently known as Sri Lanka experienced an ethnic conflict between Sinhalese
and Tamils for power sharing. LTTE demanded a seperate state for Tamil 1983 onwards
with the support of Indian government who sent Indian Peace Keeping Forces there
which was not liked by Sri Lankans.
11. Sri Lanka has maintained a democratic political system with a considerable economic.
growth i.e. one of the first developing countries to control population growth rate,
liberalized 11 economy, and bears highest per capita gross Domestic Product despite the
ongoing conflicts.Sri Lanka has retained democracy since its independence in 1948.
12. India-Pakistan conflicts in South Asian region is most important to be sorted out. The
wars between these countries took place in 194 7-48, 1965 and 1971 on the issues of Pak
Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Line of Control (LOC). Except, other issues of conflicts are
control of Siachin glacier, acquisition of arms and sharing of river water.
13. Both the governments are suspicious to each other on the ground of Pakistani strategy to
help Kashmiri militants and ISi to be involved in Anti-India campaign. Pakistan blames
India for making trouble in Sindh and Baluchistan.
14. India conducted nuclear explosion in Pokaran 1998.
15. India and Bangladesh experienced differences over the issues of sharing of Ganga and
Brahmaputra river water, illegal immigration to India, support for anti Indian-Islamic
fundamentalists, refusal to allow Indian troops and not to export natural gas to India. It is
the main link of India's 'Look East' Policy.
16. India and Nepal also bear differences on the issues of Nepal's relations with China and
inaction against anti-Indian elements i.e. Maoists. But still both the countries signed the
treaty of trade and commerce in 2005 and friendship in 2006 to provide financial and
technical assistance and to allow citizens to move without visas and passport.
17. A treaty between the two countries allowes the citizens of the two countries to travel to
and work in the other countary without visas and passports.
18. India and Bhutan do not share any major conflict, but attached on the issues to need out
the guerillas and militants from North-eastern India and involvement of India also in big
hydroelectric projects in Bhutan is the biggest source of development aid.
19. India is supportive to Maldives in their economy, tourism and fisheries. In November
1988, India reacted quickly against an attack from Tamil Mercenaries on Maldives.
20. In spite of the above mentioned conflicts and differences, states of South Asia recognise
cooperation and friendly relations among themselves. Hence, a major regional initiative
has been taken in the form of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
in 1982. SAARC members signed South Asian Free Trade Agreements (SAFTA) to form
free trade zone for the whole South Asia.
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