What is South Asia?
South Asia is the region of eight countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan. The Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south give it a natural unity. The countries share rivers, languages, food and history, yet they have very different political systems.
Democracy in the neighbourhood
Pakistan
After 1947 Pakistan had elected governments, but the army took over in 1958 (General Ayub Khan), and again under Zia-ul-Haq (1977) and Pervez Musharraf (1999). Reasons: the strong role of the army, clergy and landowners, conflict with India, and support from outside powers. Elected governments have returned since 2008, but democracy is still fragile.
Bangladesh
East Pakistan faced domination and neglect of the Bengali language. Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it became independent Bangladesh in 1971 with India's help. It later saw a one-party system, army rule and then, from 1991, multi-party elections.
Nepal
Nepal was a Hindu kingdom. People's movements forced the king to allow democracy in 1990; a Maoist armed struggle followed. After the movement of 2006, the monarchy ended and Nepal became a federal democratic republic (2008); a new constitution came in 2015.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has held elections since independence in 1948, but faced a long ethnic conflict.
Bhutan and the Maldives
Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament in 2008. The Maldives became a multi-party democracy in 2005.
In all these countries, ordinary people have shown a strong wish for democracy.
Ethnic conflict
Ethnic conflict is a conflict between groups that differ in language, religion or culture. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala majority dominated politics after 1948; Tamil speakers (including those of Indian origin) felt ignored, for example when Sinhala became the only official language. Some Tamil groups, especially the LTTE, fought for a separate Tamil state from the 1980s. India sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987 under an agreement with Sri Lanka; it withdrew in 1990. The Sri Lankan army defeated the LTTE in 2009. Despite the war, Sri Lanka kept growing and had good education and health indicators.
Other examples of ethnic and regional tension in the region include the Bengali movement in former East Pakistan and the Madhesi demands in Nepal.
India and its neighbours: conflicts
India and Pakistan
- Kashmir: wars in 1947-48 and 1965; the 1971 war over Bangladesh; the Kargil conflict (1999).
- Terrorism across the border and the arms race; both tested nuclear weapons in 1998.
- River water: the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), made with World Bank help, divides the Indus rivers.
- The Siachen glacier and Sir Creek are disputed.
India and Bangladesh
Issues: sharing Ganga and Brahmaputra waters, migration, and border management. Co-operation: the Ganga Water Treaty (1996), a land boundary agreement (2015), trade and energy links.
India and Nepal
An open border lets people travel and work freely. Issues arise over trade, the Maoist movement in the past, and rivers; co-operation includes hydropower and trade.
India and Sri Lanka
The Tamil question, fishermen crossing the sea boundary; co-operation through a free trade agreement (1998) and rebuilding help after the war and after the 2004 tsunami.
Bhutan and the Maldives
India has very close ties with Bhutan (hydropower projects) and helped the Maldives in 1988 when a coup attempt took place.
Peace and co-operation
- SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) was founded in 1985 by seven countries; Afghanistan joined in 2007. It works on trade, health, farming and culture.
- SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area), signed in 2004, aims to lower customs duties so goods move more freely.
- Smaller neighbours sometimes fear that India will dominate trade; India argues that all will gain.
- India-Pakistan tensions have slowed SAARC, so other groups such as BIMSTEC also work on regional links.
- Confidence-building steps: bus links, trade routes, people-to-people contact, and agreements on nuclear safety.
- Outside powers such as China and the USA also play a role in the region.
Try it yourself
Make a list of eight things at home that link you to South Asia: tea, rice, clothes, films, songs, festivals. For each, name one neighbour country that shares it. Then move the SAFTA slider in the 3D and see how open trade fills the table.
Key formulas and definitions
- South Asia: 8 countries
- SAARC: 1985 (Afghanistan joined 2007)
- SAFTA: signed 2004
- Indus Waters Treaty: 1960; Ganga Water Treaty: 1996
- IPKF in Sri Lanka: 1987-90; LTTE defeated 2009
- Nepal a republic: 2008; Bangladesh independent: 1971
Worked examples
1. Why has democracy been unstable in Pakistan?
The army, clergy and landowning elite have strong power; conflict with India gave the army a big role; outside powers often supported military rulers.
2. What was the main cause of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka?
Domination by the Sinhala majority after 1948 (for example, Sinhala as the only official language) made Tamils feel left out, and some groups like the LTTE demanded a separate state.
3. Name two areas of conflict and two of co-operation between India and Bangladesh.
Conflict: sharing of river waters, migration. Co-operation: the Ganga Water Treaty (1996), the land boundary agreement (2015) and trade.
4. What is SAFTA?
The South Asian Free Trade Area, signed in 2004, to reduce customs duties and increase trade among SAARC members.
Common mistakes
- Drawing or describing borders in answers. Focus on issues, not map lines.
- Saying SAARC was formed in 2004. SAARC is 1985; SAFTA is 2004.
- Writing that Nepal is still a monarchy. It became a republic in 2008.
- Treating ethnic conflict as only a Sri Lankan issue. Tensions based on identity appear in many South Asian countries.