Contemporary South AsiaClass 12 Contemporary World Politics NCERT Solutions
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Q1Questions
Identify the country: a. The struggle among pro-monarchy, pro-democracy groups and extremists created an atmosphere of political instability: b. A landlocked country with multi-party competition: c. The first country to liberalise its economy in the South Asian region: d. In the conflict between the military and pro-democracy groups, the military has prevailed over democracy: e. Centrally located and shares borders with most of the South Asian countries: f. Earlier the island had the Sultan as the head of state. Now, it's a republic: g. Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty: h. A landlocked country with a monarchy:
Solution
a. Nepal: The country experienced a triangular conflict involving monarchist forces, democrats, and Maoists.
b. Nepal/Bhutan: Both are landlocked countries with multi-party systems. Nepal emerged as a democratic republic in 2008, while Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party democracy in the same year.
c. Sri Lanka: The text states that Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to liberalise its economy.
d. Pakistan: The country has a history of frequent military coups overthrowing elected governments, with the military holding significant social and political dominance.
e. India: Due to its geographical position, India is centrally located in South Asia and is the only country that shares a border with most other nations in the region.
f. The Maldives: The text mentions that the Maldives was a Sultanate until 1968, after which it was transformed into a republic.
g. Bangladesh: The chapter references Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, which is a model based on small savings and credit cooperatives that has been successful in poverty reduction.
h. Bhutan: The text describes Bhutan as a constitutional monarchy since 2008.
Q2Questions
Which among the following statements about South Asia is wrong? a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic . b) Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement on river-water sha ring. c) SAFTA was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad. d) The US and China play an influential role in South Asian politics.
Solution
The wrong statement is:
a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic.
Reasoning: The chapter explicitly states that South Asian countries have a "mixed record of the democratic experience." For instance, Pakistan has experienced long periods of military rule, Nepal was a monarchy for a long time, and Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy. While the people share an aspiration for democracy, it is not a universally established system across all countries at all times.
Q3Questions
What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?
Solution
The democratic experiences of Bangladesh and Pakistan share some commonalities but also have significant differences.
Commonalities:
- Military Intervention: Both countries have experienced periods where the military has overthrown elected civilian governments and taken control. For example, Pakistan has been ruled by generals like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf, while Bangladesh faced military rule under Ziaur Rahman and H. M. Ershad.
- Shared History: Both nations were part of a single country, Pakistan, from 1947 to 1971, and thus share a common initial political framework.
- Struggle for Democracy: In both countries, there have been strong pro-democracy movements, often led by students and civil society, demanding the restoration of elected governments.
Differences:
- Origins: Bangladesh was formed through a liberation struggle against West Pakistani domination, which was rooted in linguistic and cultural differences. This struggle for independence shaped its initial political identity.
- Stability of Democracy: In the post-Cold War period, Bangladesh has managed to sustain a representative democracy based on a multi-party system since 1991. In contrast, Pakistan's democracy has been more fragile, with a military coup occurring as recently as 1999 and the military continuing to hold significant influence over politics.
- Role of Religion: In Pakistan, the clergy, along with the military and landowning aristocracy, is identified as a dominant social force that contributes to the overthrow of elected governments. While religion is important in Bangladesh, the text highlights its founding principles as secularism, democracy, and socialism.
Q4Questions
List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.
Solution
Three major challenges to democracy in Nepal as described in the chapter are:
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Triangular Conflict: Nepal faced a complex and violent triangular conflict involving three main groups: the monarchist forces (who wanted to retain the king's power), the democrats (who advocated for a representative government), and the Maoists (who believed in armed insurrection to overthrow the monarchy and ruling elite). This three-way struggle created severe political instability and hindered the democratic process.
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Royal Power and Military Control: The king, with the support of the army, consistently restricted the expansion of democracy. Even after accepting a democratic constitution in 1990, the monarchy remained a powerful force. In 2002, the king abolished the parliament and dismissed the government, completely ending the limited democracy that existed at the time.
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Maoist Insurgency: The Maoists of Nepal were successful in spreading their influence across many parts of the country through armed struggle. Their violent conflict with the king's armed forces created a civil war-like situation, making it extremely difficult for democratic institutions to function and establish stability.
Q5Questions
Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?
Solution
The principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka were:
- The Sinhala Community: This is the majority community in Sri Lanka. The post-independence government was dominated by Sinhala nationalists who represented their interests. They were often hostile to the demands of the Tamil minority.
- The Tamil Community: This minority community, which includes Tamils who migrated from India, felt neglected and discriminated against by the Sinhala-dominated state. Their grievances led to the rise of militant nationalism.
- The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE): This was the most prominent militant organization that fought an armed struggle against the Sri Lankan army from 1983 onwards. Their goal was to create a separate country for the Tamils, called 'Tamil Eelam'.
Assessment of the Prospects of Resolution:
The chapter indicates that the military aspect of the conflict has been resolved. The armed struggle came to an end in 2009 when the LTTE was defeated by the Sri Lankan army. This ended the long and violent civil war.
However, a lasting political resolution depends on addressing the root causes of the conflict. The conflict arose from the neglect of Tamil concerns and the political dominance of the Sinhala community. For a durable peace, the Sri Lankan government needs to address the political aspirations of the Tamil people and ensure their equal rights and representation within the democratic system. While the war is over, the prospects for a complete resolution and reconciliation depend on the willingness of the majority community to share power and address the grievances of the Tamil minority.
Q6Questions
Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well on their way to a friendly relationship?
Solution
India and Pakistan have made several efforts to manage tensions and build peace through agreements and confidence-building measures.
Some significant agreements and initiatives include:
- Simla Agreement (1972): Signed after the 1971 war to resolve differences peacefully.
- Agreement on Non-Attack of Nuclear Installations (1988): A crucial confidence-building measure where both countries agreed not to attack each other's nuclear facilities.
- Lahore Peace Declaration (1999): Signed during Prime Minister Vajpayee's historic bus journey to Lahore, aiming to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
- Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): The two countries have agreed to undertake CBMs to reduce the risk of war, opened several bus routes, and worked towards easing visa regimes to promote people-to-people contact.
Prospects for a Friendly Relationship:
No, we cannot be sure that the two countries are well on their way to a friendly relationship. Despite the agreements, the relationship remains fraught with deep-seated issues and mutual suspicion.
- Core Conflicts: The issue of Kashmir remains unresolved. Strategic issues like the control of the Siachen glacier and the arms race, especially after both countries became nuclear powers in 1998, continue to be major points of contention.
- Cross-Border Terrorism: India has consistently blamed Pakistan for aiding militants in Kashmir and other parts of India. This remains a significant obstacle to trust and peace.
- Persistent Suspicion: Both governments continue to be suspicious of each other, with Pakistan blaming Indian agencies for fomenting trouble in its provinces. The text notes that while there have been periods of improved relations, the overall story is one of "endemic conflict and violence." Therefore, a stable and friendly relationship remains a distant prospect.
Q7Questions
Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
Solution
Despite having differences, India and Bangladesh have cooperated on several fronts.
Two Areas of Disagreement:
- River Water Sharing: There have been persistent differences over the sharing of waters from common rivers, particularly the Ganga and Brahmaputra. This has been a major point of contention in their bilateral relations.
- Illegal Immigration and Security: The Indian government has been unhappy with what it perceives as Bangladesh's denial of illegal immigration into India and its alleged support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups. Bangladesh, in turn, has had grievances like feeling that India behaves like a regional bully.
Two Areas of Cooperation:
- Economic Relations: The text explicitly states that economic relations between the two countries have improved considerably over the last two decades. Bangladesh is also a part of India's 'Act East' policy, which aims to increase connectivity with Southeast Asia.
- Disaster Management and Boundary Resolution: The two states have regularly cooperated on issues of disaster management and the environment. A major success in cooperation was the resolution of their long-pending boundary dispute through the exchange of enclaves in 2015.
Q8Questions
How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.
Solution
External powers, particularly the United States and China, play a significant and influential role in the politics and bilateral relations of South Asia. They do not exist in a vacuum and are influenced by the strategic and economic interests of these global powers.
These powers influence the region through:
- Strategic Partnerships: Forming alliances with countries in the region, which affects the regional balance of power.
- Economic Aid and Investment: Using economic ties to gain influence over the policies of South Asian nations.
- Mediation: Acting as moderators in regional conflicts, especially between India and Pakistan.
Example: The Role of the United States in India-Pakistan Relations
American involvement in South Asia has increased rapidly since the end of the Cold War. The US has maintained good relations with both India and Pakistan and often acts as a moderator in their disputes. This influence is driven by US strategic interests, such as combating global terrorism and ensuring the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. For instance, after 9/11, Pakistan became a key ally for the US in its war on terror, receiving significant military and economic aid. At the same time, the US has deepened its strategic and economic partnership with India. This dual engagement allows the US to exert influence on both countries, often urging them towards dialogue and de-escalation during periods of high tension. The large South Asian diaspora in the US and the region's vast markets further solidify America's stake and influence in moderating one of South Asia's most critical bilateral relationships.
Q9Questions
Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum forfacilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian countries.
Solution
Role of SAARC:
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 as a major regional initiative to promote cooperation among South Asian states. Its primary role is to foster collaboration in economic, social, and cultural spheres. A landmark achievement of SAARC in facilitating economic cooperation was the signing of the South Asian Free Trade (SAFTA) agreement in 2004. The goal of SAFTA was to create a Free Trade Zone for the entire region by progressively lowering trade tariffs among member countries, with the hope that increased economic integration would also lead to better political relations.
Limitations of SAARC:
Despite its noble objectives, SAARC has not been very successful in its mission. Its limitations are significant:
- Political Differences: The primary limitation is the persistent political conflict among its members, especially the rivalry between India and Pakistan. These disputes overshadow any potential for meaningful cooperation and often bring the organization's activities to a standstill.
- Mutual Suspicion: There is a great deal of mistrust among the member states. Smaller countries, for example, fear that SAFTA is a mechanism for India to dominate their markets and interfere in their societies and politics.
- Bilateralism over Multilateralism: Due to the ineffectiveness of the multilateral SAARC forum, countries like India have often preferred to sign bilateral trade agreements with neighbours like Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which undermines the regional approach of SAARC.
Q10Questions
India's neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affa irsof the smallercountries of the region. Is this a correct impression?
Solution
Yes, the impression that India's neighbours often perceive the Indian government as trying to dominate and interfere in their domestic affairs is largely correct, and it stems from a combination of geographical realities, power imbalances, and historical events.
Reasons for this Impression:
- Geographical and Power Asymmetry: India is vastly larger than all its South Asian neighbours in terms of size, population, economy, and military strength. It is also centrally located and borders every other country in the region (except the Maldives and Afghanistan, if included). This inherent imbalance naturally fosters a sense of insecurity and suspicion among smaller nations, who fear that India could easily become a regionally-dominant power.
- Specific Instances of Interference: There have been historical events that reinforce this perception. For example:
- In Sri Lanka, India's direct military intervention in 1987 by sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was seen by many Sri Lankans as an infringement on their sovereignty.
- In Nepal, leaders and citizens often feel that the Indian government interferes in its internal affairs and has designs on its river waters and hydroelectricity.
- Bangladeshi governments have felt that India acts like a "regional bully" on issues like sharing river waters.
India's Perspective:
The chapter also notes that the Indian government has its own perspective. It often feels that its neighbours try to exploit its size and that political instability in these countries is a threat to its own security, as it could allow external powers to gain influence in the region.
In conclusion, while India may act based on its own security and strategic interests, its actions are often perceived as domineering by its smaller neighbours due to the significant power disparity. Therefore, this impression is a persistent and defining feature of South Asian geopolitics.