Contemporary South Asia Notes in English Class 12 Political Science Chapter-3 Book-CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS

 Chapter 3 

Contemporary South Asia

In this chapter we will study contemporary South Asia which includes seven important countries and we will also know the administrative system of these countries and their mutual relations.   

South Asia 

( South Asia )

1. Major countries of South Asia 

• The countries of South Asia have an important place in the world, which includes seven countries. 

1. India
2. Pakistan
   
3. Bangladesh
   
4. Sri Lanka
   
5. Nepal
   
6. Maldives
   
7. Bhutan

• The region of South Asia is responsible for many linguistic , social and cultural uniquenesses. 

• Afghanistan and Myanmar are also included in the discussions related to this region.  

• The geographical speciality of this region is as follows. 

1. The great Himalayan mountain range in the north.
2. South Indian Ocean.
3. Arabian Sea in the west.
4. Bay of Bengal in the east.

2. Problems of South Asian countries

1. conflict zone
2. Border dispute
3. River water dispute
4. Rebellion conflict
5. ethnic conflict
6. sensitive area

3. How is the political system in the countries of South Asia ?

Country	political system
India	Democracy
Sri Lanka	Democracy
Pakistan	Military rule and democracy
Bangladesh	Military rule and democracy
Nepal	monarchy and democracy
Bhutan	monarchy and democracy
Maldives	monarchy and democracy

 Pakistan 

1. Military rule and democracy

• After the constitution of Pakistan was formed, General Ayub Khan ran the government but he had to step down when public anger erupted.

• After this, General Yahya Khan took over the reins and had to face the Bangladesh crisis.

• War with India and East Pakistan becoming an independent country as Bangladesh in 1971 . 

• After this, the reins of Pakistan were taken over by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971-77) .

• In 1977 , General Zia-ul-Haq overthrew this government.

• In 1982 , General Ziaul Haq 's government faced a pro-democracy movement.

• In 1988 , a democratic government was formed under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto .

• In 1999 , Pervez Musharraf came to power after ousting Nawaz Sharif from power and appointed himself President and ran the military rule from   2001 to 2008 .

• After this, for some time, the democratic government continued to function in Pakistan under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto , Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif .

• In 2013 , democratic government was fully restored in Pakistan under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif .

• In 2017 , Nawaz Sharif was convicted of financial corruption by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and was removed from office and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment .

• In the general elections held in Pakistan in July 2018 , a democratic government was formed under the leadership of Imran Khan. After some time, Imran Khan's government fell after losing the majority.

• On 11 April 2022 , a new government was formed under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif and he took charge as the   23rd Prime Minister.     

• In this way, sometimes military rule and sometimes democratic government comes into power in Pakistan.

2. What is the reason behind democracy not being permanent in Pakistan ?

1. In Pakistan, the military, religious leaders and the landowning elite have dominance due to which they topple the elected government and establish military rule for their own benefit.

2. Pakistan has tensions with India, that is why people give more importance to military rule

3. Political parties are corrupt due to which democratic administration cannot run here for long. 

4. At the international level, America and the western countries do not support the military regime due to their own selfish interests as they fear 'global Islamic terrorism' and fear that Pakistan's nuclear weapons might fall into their hands.

3. Reasons for strengthening democracy in Pakistan 

1. Pakistan has a free and courageous press which works strongly in favour of democracy.

2. The human rights movement is very much present in Pakistan.

4. The main reasons for the dispute between India and Pakistan

1. Border dispute.

2. Kashmir dispute.

3. Sir Creek Line dispute.

4. Terrorism.

5. Promoting separatism in Kashmir.

5. India Pakistan conflict

war	Reason
First War- 1947-48	Kashmir issue
Second war- 1965	Pakistani invasion
Third War - 1971	Bangladesh Crisis
Fourth war – 1999	Kargil conflict

• There have been four wars between India and Pakistan but still the Kashmir issue remains unresolved.

• Tensions still persist between India and Pakistan.

• Both India and Pakistan conducted successful nuclear tests.

1. In 1998  , India conducted its nuclear test in Pokhran.

2. After that Pakistan also conducted its nuclear test in the Chagai Hills.

5. Governments of India and Pakistan blame each other   

1. India's allegations 

• Pakistan has continued its strategy of covert violence in India.

• Pakistan provides security, funds, arms and training to terrorists to spread terrorism in Kashmir.

• Pakistan supplied arms and ammunition to Khalistan militants in Punjab province in 1985-95.

• Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is involved in these activities.

• They carry out anti-India operations in North-East India from secret bases in Bangladesh and Nepal.

2. Pakistan's allegations 

• India instigates trouble in Sindh and Balochistan through its intelligence agency.

Nepal  

1. Nepal is a neighboring country of India.

2. Nepal is a country surrounded by land on all sides.

3. More than 75 percent of Nepal's population is Hindu.

4. Lord Buddha was born in Nepal.

5. Nepal is a poor country.

6. From monarchy to democracy.

1. How did democracy come from monarchy in Nepal ?

• Nepal was a Hindu kingdom and there was a monarchy here for many years.

• The people and political parties here were demanding a responsible government.

• The king had taken control of the government with the help of the army, which blocked the path of democracy here.

• The people wanted democracy, so they adopted the path of agitation to demand a democratic government.

• The king was forced to accept the demand for a democratic constitution in 1990 and a government was formed.

• In the 1990s, Maoists had gained influence in Nepal and revolted against the king and the ruling classes.

• This led to violent clashes between the king's army, pro-democracy people and Maoists, due to which the king dissolved the parliament in 2002 and the democracy that was there in Nepal also ended.

• A huge movement took place in 2006, after which the King accepted the demands of the supporters of democracy and restored the Parliament.

• Led this nationwide movement.

1. Alliance of seven parties.

2. Maoist people.

3. Social worker.

• In 2008, Nepal abolished the monarchy and became a democratic republic.

• In 2015, a new constitution was made and implemented in Nepal.

2. Relations between India and Nepal

 1. Consent 

1. India and Nepal have always had cordial relations.

2. There is a treaty for travelling to and from each other's country without visa or passport.

3. Trade Scientific Cooperation India helps in many schemes in Nepal.

2. Differences 

1. There have been disagreements over trade in the past.

2. India is unhappy with Nepal's friendship with China.

3. Nepal government does not take action against anti-India elements.

4. Nepal alleges that India interferes in its internal affairs.

5. Nepal believes that India is eyeing its river water and hydropower project.

 Bangladesh 

• After the partition of India, two Pakistans were created.

• One is East Pakistan and the other is West Pakistan.

• East Pakistan became an independent nation in 1971, before which it was part of Pakistan from 1947-1971.

• India liberated it and hence it was named Bangladesh.

1. Bangladesh construction 

• What is today known as the independent country Bangladesh was once East Pakistan.

• East Pakistan was created by dividing parts of Bengal and Assam.

• West Pakistan used to show dominance here and Urdu language was being forcibly imposed here.

• In the 1970 elections, the Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won all the seats in East Pakistan but did not get a fair share.

• The people here opposed this and started a mass struggle against Pakistan.

• The struggle was led by Sheikh Mujiburahman and demanded autonomy for the eastern region. Sheikh Mujiburah was arrested.

• Yahya Khan's army tried to crush the movement of the Bengali people; thousands of people were killed by the Pakistani army.

• A large number of people migrated to India. The Indian government supported East Pakistan's demand for independence and provided financial and military aid.

• In 1971, there was a war between India and Pakistan. India won this war and an independent nation Bangladesh was created.

2. Administration in Bangladesh 

• Bangladesh created its own constitution and declared itself a secular democratic socialist country.

• In 1975, Sheikh Mujibur amended the Constitution and adopted the presidential system of government in place of the parliamentary system.

• All other parties except Awami League were dissolved. This created an atmosphere of tension and conflict.

• The army revolted and Sheikh Mujibur was killed by the army.

• Under the new military regime, Ziaur Rahman formed the Bangladesh National Party. Ziaur Rahman won the 1979 elections and was also assassinated.

• Once again the power came into the hands of military ruler General H.M. Ershad; the public and students protested against him due to which he had to resign in 1990.

• Democracy (multi-party system) was established here after the elections of 1991.

3. Issues of agreement and dispute between India and Bangladesh ?

1. Consent 

1. Economic relations have strengthened.

2. Bangladesh is part of India's Go East policy.

3. Cooperation on disaster management and environmental issues.

4. Increase in business.

2. Discrimination 

1. Dispute over sharing of Ganga and Brahmaputra river water.

2. Illegal Bangladeshis are living in India.

3. Support to anti-India radical Islamic groups.

4. Not allowing export of natural gas to Myanmar via Bangladesh.

5. Bangladesh's refusal to allow the Indian Army to pass through its territory to enter North-East India.

Sri Lanka 

• Sri Lanka - gained independence in 1948.

• Old name – Ceylon.

• Successful democracy has been maintained since independence.

• Native : Singhalese.

• The problem of ethnic conflict.

• Dispute - Dispute between Tamil and Sinhalese people.

1. Ethnic conflict and problem 

• The Tamil people of India who have settled in Sri Lanka since the time of British rule are opposed by the native Sinhalese people.

• Sinhalese people say that Sri Lanka belongs only to them and no concessions should be given to the Tamils.

• In 1983, the Tamil organization LTTE fought with the Sri Lankan army.

• Tamil Eelam is demanding a separate country for Tamils ​​in Sri Lanka.

• The Tamil people of India are putting pressure on the Indian government to protect the interests of the Tamils ​​living in Sri Lanka.

• The Indian Government has made efforts to hold talks with the Sri Lankan Government from time to time.

• A peace force was sent to Sri Lanka in 1987, which got embroiled in conflict with the LTTE and returned in 1989 without achieving its objectives.

• The people of Sri Lanka also did not like it; they saw it as interference in their internal affairs.

• The Scandinavian countries Norway and Iceland brokered an agreement between the two.

2. Situation in Sri Lanka 

1. Sri Lanka's economic growth is good.

2. Sri Lanka controlled the population.

3. Sri Lanka is the first among developing countries to do so.

4. Sri Lanka was also the first to liberalise the economy.

3. Issues of dispute and agreement between India and Sri Lanka

1. Consent

1. Free trade agreement.

2. Treaties of friendship.

3. Help during tsunami in Sri Lanka.

4. Peace forces were called back from Sri Lanka.

2. Dispute

1. The issue of Tamil people.

2. Demand for a separate country by Tamils.

3. LTTE's struggle.

4. Sending troops in 1987.

5. Insider interference.

Maldives 

• Maldives is an island country located in the Indian Ocean.

• Maldives was a sultanate until 1968.

• In 1968 it became a republic and a presidential system of government was adopted here.

• In June 2005, the Maldives Parliament voted in favour of adopting a multi-party system.

• MDP is the main party here which dominates the politics here.

• Opposition parties were legalised in the Maldives in the 2005 elections.

India and Maldives relations

• In 1988, some mercenaries from Sri Lanka attacked Maldives.

• Maldives asked for help from India. India immediately sent its army to protect Maldives.

• India has helped Maldives in economic development, tourism and fisheries industry

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