ROLE AND CONCERNS OF INDIA IN SOUTH ASIA

Geographically, the Indian Subcontinent consists of the peninsular part of present-day India, south of the Himalayas, on the Indian tectonic plate. From a political perspective, the Indian subcontinent consists of eight countries: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Maldives. The people of the Indian Subcontinent have shared ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and historical ties. Even today these nations bear some marks of their origins. Both the terms - ‘South Asia’ and ‘Indian subcontinent’ are used in an interchangeable manner. The peace in the region is marred by unresolved territorial disputes like Kashmir, separatist and insurgent movements linked to global outfits, a broad range of ethnic, religious conflicts, the proliferation of nuclear technology, climate change and the ensuing water issues. India is generally viewed as an ‘Interfering Big Brother’ by her neighbour. As the largest country, India needs to promote regional peace and stability in order to have a strong claim to be a major world player. India’s ability to intervene in countries is limited by resentment at India’s paternalism towards its smaller neighbours. An assertive surge in Chinese economic and diplomatic involvement in the region has elevated long-lingering tensions with India and poses a challenge as the regional economic and diplomatic heavyweight. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political regional organisation of countries in South Asia set up in 1985. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in its member states through increased intraregional cooperation but so far has characterized by weak institutionalism and is often constrained in their effectiveness.

India’s Relations With Its Neighbours
The relationship with Pakistan has been characterised by a virtually unbroken record of sustained hostility. The continued Pak support to terrorism and its stand on Kashmir remains a major irritant between India and Pakistan. Despite change of government, the anti India stand still flourishes in Pak. Indo-Bangladesh relations had become strained over the Farakka issue, the Tin Bigha controversy and illegal Bangladeshi migrants and their alleged involvement in communal riots in India. The agreement on sharing of Ganga waters and the pro Indian stance of Sheikh Hasina regime has definitely made some positive impact. Despite increasing Chinese influence the Indo Nepalese relationship are likely to see a qualitative improvement owing closer economic ties and better political understanding. The renewed Mahakali Treaty and grant of overland transit route for its trade with Bangladesh by India underlines the positive shift, but border dispute of Kalapani still remains a major issue. The renewal of $400-million currency swap facility and helping hand extended to Sri Lanka facing severe economic crisis has become a positive milestone in Indo Sri Lankan relations. The main irritant in Indo-Sri Lankan relationship that still remains is issue of killings of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan forces. The volatile situation in Afghanistan is of major concern to India. The fundamentalist regime in Afghanistan is an insidious threat to Indian secularism and a potentially destabilising factor in the region. Defence matters of Bhutan have remained Indian responsibility but owing to Indian weak stance during Doklam skirmishes with China, the Bhutan King has established a fairly good relationship with China.India is trying to regain the lost ground. Despite Chinese overtures, the Maldives has remained fairly under Indian influence. During recent elections a political party sought votes with the slogan “Keep India” out definitely needs to be watched out.

Indian Options
Create effective and enduring incentives for our neighbours to remain sensitive to India’s security interests and emerging as a security provider for the region. Lesser Intervention, due respect of the sovereignty and use more powerful Indian economy to become an engine of growth of neighbours. No physical presence of a hostile foreign power in a manner that would adversely impact its security especially in a case of open borders. It is in India’s interest to promote regional economic integration, and need to step up role of SAARC in regional co-operation, dialogue and regional economic integration. Enhance effectiveness of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. India’s needs to further its positive role in the newly formed The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) which is a dynamic intergovernmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region. To bring into use its proximity with the other countries, India requires efficient cross-border connectivity both in terms of infrastructure and procedures to allow the smooth and seamless transit of goods and peoples. The economic and technological power of India is a vast and expanding market. Even if this market were opened up fully to whatever our neighbours can produce and sell, this would constitute only a small fraction of India’s market but would mean a great deal for them. Given its much more developed land and maritime transport system, India should develop its role as the partner of choice for trade and transportation. This will also create strong inter-dependencies with our neighbours, thus creating more sensitivity among them to our security concerns. India needs to counter Chinese influence by better management of Sanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Quad comprising four countries including US committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, UN through Security Council present membership, the ASEAN member states and Pacific partners.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

COL RAJESH BHUKAR The author has been Head Security Rajasthan Operations of Cairn Energy and DGM HR in Jindal Saw Ltd