Contemporary South Asia

The Military And Democracy In Pakistan

Pakistan's political history has been significantly influenced by the recurring intervention of its powerful military in governance, creating a complex relationship between the military and democratic institutions.

• Military Rule: Pakistan has experienced several periods of direct military rule since its independence in 1947, under leaders like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, and Zia-ul-Haq.
• Influence on Democracy: Even during periods of civilian rule, the military has maintained significant influence over foreign policy, national security, and often domestic politics.
• Cycles of Democracy and Military Rule: Pakistan has cycled between periods of democracy and military dictatorships, with democratic institutions often struggling to consolidate their hold.
• Instability: The frequent military interventions have contributed to political instability, hindered institutional development, and impacted Pakistan's ability to establish stable democratic governance.
• Current Context: While civilian governments have been elected, the military continues to exert considerable influence.

Democracy In Bangladesh

Bangladesh, after gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, has had a complex journey with democracy.

• Liberation War: Bangladesh achieved independence through a liberation war, initially establishing a parliamentary democracy.
• Periods of Military Rule: Like Pakistan, Bangladesh also experienced periods of military rule and political instability, particularly after the assassination of its founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975.
• Transition to Democracy: A significant democratic transition occurred in the early 1990s, leading to multi-party elections and a return to parliamentary democracy.
• Challenges: Despite democratic frameworks, Bangladesh has faced challenges such as political polarization between major parties (Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party), allegations of electoral irregularities, and occasional political violence.
• Recent Trends: While democratic institutions are in place, concerns about the fairness of elections and the space for political dissent have periodically surfaced.

Monarchy And Democracy In Nepal

Nepal has a unique political history marked by the interplay between a monarchy and democratic aspirations.

• Constitutional Monarchy: Nepal was a kingdom for centuries, but in the 20th century, it transitioned towards constitutional monarchy, with a parliamentary system existing alongside the monarchy.
• Democratic Movements: The country has witnessed strong popular movements demanding democracy and greater rights for the people, often clashing with the monarchy's powers.
• Monarchy's Role: The King of Nepal historically held significant political power, though attempts were made to limit this through constitutional reforms.
• Civil Conflict: Nepal also faced a decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996-2006) that further destabilized the country and intensified demands for democratic change.
• Abolition of Monarchy: In 2008, Nepal abolished the monarchy and declared itself a Federal Democratic Republic, transitioning to a new political era.
• Challenges in New Democracy: The new republican government faces challenges in drafting a constitution, managing political stability, and ensuring inclusive development.

Ethnic Conflict And Democracy In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's political journey has been significantly shaped by a protracted ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority, impacting its democratic development.

• Sinhalese Majority, Tamil Minority: Sri Lanka has a dominant Sinhalese population and a significant Tamil minority, primarily concentrated in the north and east of the island.
• Ethnic Tensions: Since independence, the country has experienced rising ethnic tensions due to perceived discrimination against Tamils in areas like education, employment, and political representation.
• Civil War: These tensions escalated into a brutal civil war (1983-2009) between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant group fighting for a separate Tamil state.
• Impact on Democracy: The prolonged conflict severely impacted Sri Lanka's democratic institutions, leading to human rights concerns, militarization, and challenges to political freedoms.
• Post-Conflict Challenges: Since the end of the civil war in 2009, Sri Lanka has been trying to achieve national reconciliation, rebuild its democracy, and address the underlying causes of the conflict, though significant challenges remain.

India-Pakistan Conflicts

The relationship between India and Pakistan, since their creation in 1947, has been marked by persistent conflict and tension, primarily revolving around territorial disputes and ideological differences.

• Kashmir Dispute: The unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir remains the core issue, leading to multiple wars and ongoing border skirmishes.
• Wars: India and Pakistan have fought three major wars (1947-48, 1965, 1971) and have been involved in numerous smaller conflicts and confrontations.
• Nuclear Powers: Both countries are nuclear weapon states, adding a dangerous dimension to their rivalry.
• Terrorism: Pakistan has been accused by India of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, which has significantly hampered peace efforts.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Despite the conflicts, there have been attempts at peace dialogues and confidence-building measures, but lasting resolution has remained elusive.

India And Its Other Neighbours

India maintains complex relationships with its other neighbours in South Asia, characterized by a mix of cooperation, competition, and occasional friction.

• India-China Relations: Marked by a long-standing border dispute, competition for regional influence, and growing economic ties. Occasional military standoffs occur.
• India-Bangladesh Relations: Generally cooperative, focusing on trade, water sharing, and connectivity, though occasional issues arise over border management and migration.
• India-Nepal Relations: Historically close due to cultural and religious ties, but Nepal's relationship with China and issues like water resources and border management create occasional strains.
• India-Sri Lanka Relations: Affected by the Sri Lankan civil war (India's past intervention, Tamil diaspora issues) and more recently by economic ties and regional security concerns.
• India-Bhutan Relations: Generally friendly, with India providing significant economic and security assistance to Bhutan.
• India-Maldives Relations: India has traditionally been a key partner for the Maldives, though China's growing influence in the Maldives has created new dynamics.
• India-Afghanistan Relations: India has been a major partner in Afghanistan's development and security, though the return of the Taliban has complicated these relations.

India's foreign policy towards its neighbours aims to promote stability, economic cooperation, and its own security interests.

Peace And Cooperation

Despite the conflicts and tensions, there are ongoing efforts and aspirations for peace and cooperation** in South Asia: