Conflict and Peace in South Asia: Nehru and Beyond
National Seminar organised by the UGC-Nehru Studies Centre, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala on 2-3 March 2012)
Theme Paper
South Asia continues to be one of the most volatile regions of the world. It is characterized by multi-ethnic societies with striking internal divisions along linguistic, regional, communal and sectarian lines, externally linked to one another across national boundaries. Even though it has a common cultural background and shared political experience, many groups have been fiercely fighting with each other, challenging the national governments and frustrating their nation-building efforts, such as in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Malaysia. The negative effects of ongoing ethnic conflicts, civil wars, ethnic cleansing, communal and political violence, terrorism, counter terrorism, religious extremism, militarization, gross and systematic violation of human rights, unresolved inter-state and intra-state conflicts, and subversive economic interests, etc., are visible today more than ever before in the region.
Home to one fifth of the world's population, this region is accountable for fifty percent of the world's illiterate and forty percent of the world's poor. This poverty stricken region faces the worst hit of innumerable adversities in terms of securing peace, and security. The extent of human deprivation in the region contrasts with the large armies, modern weapons and increasing defense budgets, arms race, and nuclear power struggle, which keep the region seething with growing unrest. The criminalisation of politics and corruption undermine the democratic principles of the electoral system.
South Asia has emerged as a regional entity in the international political system with the creation of SAARC but it failed to strengthen regional cohesiveness. Regional cooperation in South Asia cannot be said to have evolved into a complete bloc in terms of ‘regionalism and economic integration’ due mainly to the prevalence of conflict over the desire of peace and stability. Given the historical legacy and contemporary reality of endemic conflicts and mistrust in the region, the fact that the formal cooperation process in the region has survived recurrent setbacks is testimony of resilience of the organisation.
Undoubtedly, the intra-regional problems in South Asia are of such a vast magnitude that they demand not only a comprehensive understanding of regional specificities and particularities but also short – and – long term modalities and mechanisms to manage the manifold nature of security perceptions and conflicts from a pragmatic perspective. South Asia has come into a sharp focus ever since India and Pakistan carried out multiple nuclear weapon tests in May 1998. The entire international community is seriously worried out over the disastrous consequences of nuclear South Asia.
India is placed in a unique position in South Asia. It is the only country in South Asia that shares borders with the rest of South Asian countries, whereas, none of them share common borders with each other. India also occupies a pre-eminent position in South Asia, unlike any to her country in the Southeast Asian region, in terms of the size of its population, natural resources, economy and industrial, military, and technological power. Nevertheless, Pakistan has a strategic value in comparison to India primarily because of its geographical proximity to the Gulf and Central Asian regions endowed with abundant energy and strategic resources.
Ruling leaders in South Asia have failed to address the mounting internal problems virtually on all fronts facing each country of the region. In this context, the name of Jawaharlal Nehru signifies special notice for his contribution as a statesman. Jawaharlal Nehru is considered to be the architect of modern India. Apart from his careful handling of India's tumultuous domestic situation in the years immediately after the Independence, Nehru's major contribution lies in the field of foreign policies. In fact, Nehru determined India's international profile to a great degree in the post-independence years, in his capacity as the foreign minister of India. Nehru saw war and violent insurgency from very close quarters as a freedom fighter, and he believed in neither. In his foreign policies, Nehru tried to guide India in such a way, so as to steer clear from any form of violence and militarism. He rightly believed that a newly decolonized nation must invest all its economic and logistic resources towards development and not defense and armament. Although many of his policies were not free from criticism, the values of democracy, non-alignment, and peace that Nehru upheld were significant. However, post-Nehruvian era witnessed dramatic change in India’s foreign policy and the South Asia emerged as one of the crisis regions in the world. In this context, it is imperative to enquire into the details of the causes which led to shift in India’s foreign policy and the reasons for the violence and tensed relations among the states in South Asia, especially with India.
Major Themes of the Seminar
1. Contributions of Nehru for the peaceful co-existence of states in South Asia
2. Major issues challenging peace in South Asia
3. Nature and complexity of cooperation among South Asian countries
4. Role of India as major power in South Asia
5. Prospects of regional cooperation in South Asia and the future of SAARC
6. Major ethno-religious tensions in South Asian countries
7. Issues of arms race, nuclear proliferation, and military-build up in South Asia
8. Civil strife in South Asian countries and the state response
9. Conflict and Peace in South Asia: The Extraneous Factors
10. Peace building in the region: Role of International, Intergovernmental and Regional organizations
Call for Papers on one of the above mentioned themes. Please send your abstract on 10th February 2102, and the full paper by 25th February 2102. As we have to publish the entire proceedings immediately, I request you to prepare the full paper within the deadline.
If you have any queries, please contact in my mobile no. or email.
Dr.K.M.Sajad Ibrahim
Director,
UGC-Nehru Studies Centre
Department of Political Science
University of Kerala
Kariavattom P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram, INDIA - 695581
Tel- +919447337189 (Mob)
Email: sajad67@gmail.com
