Political situation in south Asia

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated07/04/2023

South Asia is a region known for its political, economic, and social complexities.
It is home to some of the world’s most populous and diverse countries, each with its own set of unique challenges.

In recent years, South Asia has experienced political turmoil, economic crises, and security threats, which have further complicated the situation.
This includes political crises in Pakistan and Nepal, upcoming elections in Bangladesh and the Maldives that could tilt the balance between democracy and authoritarianism and Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
However, India has endured because of its ability to absorb and internalise change while retaining its personality, a quality that some of its neighbours lack.

The South Asian region constituted an integrated civilisational area bound together by shared historical, religions, languages, cultural traditions and blood ties.
Yet, the values underlying the Indian state stood out in contrast to those adopted by several of its neighbours.
India followed values such as secularism, democracy, federalism, and linguistic autonomy to preserve Indian unity and integrity.
India openly accepted democratic values that emerged in Western Europe in the 19th century and were absorbed and internalised during India’s century-long freedom struggle.
Hence, local government, free press, trade union rights, liberal democratic multiparty competitive politics, adult suffrage, apolitical functioning of the Indian armed forces, secular outlook and acceptance of the state as a vehicle of development became pillars of freedom struggle.

India has a solid and enduring basis for its nationhood, as it is bound together by shared religions, languages, cultural traditions, and blood ties.
The concept of India as a cultural, civilisational unity differentiated from its surroundings was several millennia old and formed the basis of its nationhood.
Very few present-day nation-states in the world could claim such a solid and enduring basis for their nationhood.
The unity and integrity of a nation must be based on a social contract among the people, which should be formulated and sustained through representative structures.
The shared historical memories bind people together as a nation, not language or religion. The article notes that many present-day nation-states lack a solid basis for their nationhood.
India also faces a struggle between those who want to build the country based on continually evolving knowledge and those based on traditions, scriptures and belief systems formulated centuries ago.

India has an important role to play in promoting coexistence in South Asia, given its size, population, and economic power in the region.
One of the keys to coexistence in South Asia is fostering dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the region.
India can also play a role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding among the countries of South Asia.
India can play a role in promoting economic development and reducing poverty in the region, which can help to address some of the underlying causes of conflict.
As a major military power in the region, India can work with its neighbours to address common security challenges, such as terrorism, piracy, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to promote regional security and stability.