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India and Its South Asian Neighbors: Collaboration and Conflict

July 22, 2024 177 0

India’s interactions with its South Asian neighbors are intricate and diverse, marked by collaboration and conflict. Important topics consist of distribution of water with Bangladesh, border disputes with Nepal, and ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka. Despite these obstacles, India has established strong connections with Bhutan and Maldives and engages actively in regional efforts such as SAARC and SAFTA to enhance economic cooperation. Nevertheless, the strategic interests of both China and the United States also play a role in shaping regional dynamics.

Key Relationship

Bangladesh: The governments of India and Bangladesh have had differences over several issues including sharing of Ganga and Brahmaputra River waters.

  • Accusations of Support for Anti-India Elements: The Indian government has been unhappy with Bangladesh’s denial of illegal immigration to India, and its support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups.
  • Geopolitical Tensions: Bangladesh’s refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to northeastern India, and its decision not to export natural gas to India.
  • Nepal: Nepal and India enjoy a very special relationship. A treaty between two countries allows citizens of two countries to travel to and work in other countries without visas and passports.
    • India’s Concerns About Nepal-China Ties: The Indian government has often expressed displeasure at the warm relationship between Nepal and China and at Nepal government’s inaction against anti-Indian elements.
    • Nepalese Perceptions of Indian Interference: Many leaders and citizens in Nepal think that the Indian government interferes in its internal affairs, has designs on its river waters and hydroelectricity, and prevents Nepal, a landlocked country, from getting easier access to the sea through Indian territory.
  • Sri Lanka: The difficulties in the relationship between the governments of India and Sri Lanka are mostly due to ethnic conflict in the island nation.
    • Policy of Disengagement: After the military intervention in 1987, the Indian government now prefers a policy of disengagement vis-à-vis Sri Lanka’s internal troubles.
    • Free Trade Agreement: India signed a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka, which strengthened relations between the two countries.
      • India’s help in post-tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka has also brought the two countries closer.
  • Bhutan: India enjoys a very special relationship with Bhutan too and does not have any major conflict with Bhutanese government
    • The efforts made by Bhutanese monarch to weed out the guerrillas and militants from northeastern India that operate in his country have been helpful to India.
  • Maldives: India and Maldives also have a good relationship. 
    • India had provided military support to Maldives in 1969 when a mercenary Tamil soldier from Sri Lanka attacked Maldives.

Peace and Cooperation

SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve cooperation through multilateral means. It began in 1985.

  • SAFTA: SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA) agreement which promised formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.
    • SAFTA was signed in 2004 and came into effect on 1 January 2006. 
    • Aim: SAFTA aims at lowering trade tariffs. But some of our neighbours fear that SAFTA is a way for India to ‘invade’ their markets and to influence their societies and politics through commercial ventures and a commercial presence in their countries.
  • India and Pakistan Relationship: Although India-Pakistan relations seem to be a story of endemic conflict and violence, there have been a series of efforts to manage tensions and build peace.
    • Role of External Powers: China and the United States remain key players in South Asian politics. Sino-Indian relations have improved significantly in last ten years, but China’s strategic partnership with Pakistan remains a major irritant.
      • The US has had good relations with both India and Pakistan since the end of  Cold War and increasingly works as a moderator in India-Pakistan relations.
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Conclusion

The 21st century global world order is marked by a shift from a unipolar world dominated by the United States to a more multipolar landscape with emerging powers like China, India, and regional players gaining influence. Global challenges, including climate change, pandemics, and economic interdependence, demand international cooperation. It faces significant disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and the erosion of multilateral institutions. Despite these challenges, global governance structures, such as United Nations, World Trade Organization, and international treaties, remain essential for addressing common problems. The future of global world order hinges on ability of nations to find common ground, adapt to evolving circumstances, and foster a more inclusive and sustainable international system.

 

Glossary:

  • Soviet System: The Soviet system was introduced after the Russian Revolution in 1917 based on the principles of an egalitarian society and a planned economy controlled by the state.
  • Socialist Bloc: The East European countries were known as Socialist Bloc because these countries were liberated from the fascist forces and their political and economic systems were based on this bloc only.
  • Capitalist Economy: In this economy, land and productive assets are owned and controlled by the Capitalists.
  • Unipolar System: Affairs at an international level are dominated by only one superpower.
  • Multipolar System: Affairs at international level can not be dominated by one superpower only, instead a group of countries play an important role.
  • Egalitarian Society: It believes that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life.
  • Largest Garage Sale: It was caused due to Shock Therapy to undervalue the valuable industries of the USSR to sell them at throwaway prices.
  • Shock Therapy: The model of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system in Russia, Central Asia, and East Europe under the influence of the World Bank and IMF.
  • European Union: A group of European Capitalist countries established in 1992 for common goals of foreign and security policy, cooperation, and home affairs.
  • OEEC: Organisation for European Economic Cooperation was established in 1948 to channel aid to West European states to cooperate on trade and economic issues.
  • Marshall Plan: It was introduced by America to provide financial help for the revival of the European economy.
  • ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations to accelerate economic growth through social progress and cultural development.
  • ASEAN Way: An interaction that is informal, non-confrontational, and cooperative to promote supranational structures.
  • ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): An organization established in 1994 to promote coordination of security and foreign policy.
  • Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Foreign investors could set up their enterprises in these zones.
  • Open Door Policy: To invite investment of capital and technology from abroad.
  • Three Pillars of the ASEAN Community: ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
  • Geo-Politics: Geopolitics refers to the Association of countries that are bound with each other geographically and their interests are also interlinked with each other politically and economically.
  • Bilateral Talks: Talks involving the two countries without any other mediation.
  • Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF): It was sent by India in Sri Lanka to support the demand for Tamils to be recognized.
  • Seven Party Alliance (SPA): An alliance of seven parties in Nepal that also demanded an end to the monarch.
  • SAARC: It stands for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation having seven members and aims at mutual trust and understanding.
  • SAFTA: It is South Asia Free Trade Area Agreement to trade free from customs restrictions and duties by its member states.
  • LTTE: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka demanded a separate state for Tamils.

 

Related Articles 
India Pakistan Relations: Realities and Challenges SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION
India’s Dilemmas in the South Asia Region How India can lead Multilateralism at WTO

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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