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A.
All the countries in South Asia are democratic.(i) The majority population in both these countries are muslim.
(ii) There have been military take over in both countries from time to time.
(iii) There have been pro-democracy movements in both the countries.
Differences:
(i) The United States and the Western countries have encouraged military’s authoritarian rule in Pakistan in the past, for their own reasons. While it is not true for Bangladesh.
(ii) Pakistan has nuclear arsenals but Bangladesh is without it.
(iii) Pakistan is considered to be protector of western interests in West Asia and South Asia.
(iv) Bangladesh has declared its faith in secularism, democracy and socialism in its constitution and Pakistan still remains a Islamic State. The representative democracy based on multi-party elections has been working in Bangladesh since 1991. In case of Pakistan democratic government has been functioning since the downfall of President Parvez Musharaff.
(i) The Maoists who believe in armed insurrection against the monarch and the ruling elite, have now asked for the constitution to include the radical programmes of social and economic restructuring.
(ii) Some sections think that a nominal monarchy is necessary in Nepal to retain its link with the past.
(iii) Differences between the Maoists and the parties in the Seven Parties Alliance are also challenge to the democracy in Nepal as they view india with suspicion of its role in Nepal future.
The prospects of the resolution of this conflict are remote because the government of Sri Lanka is following a policy of majoritarianism. The minority Tamil community is being ignored in different spheres. Even though the LTTE Chief had been killed and the LTTE defeated, the government should now adopt a policy of accomodation towards the minority community. So unless this policy is followed, the ethnic conflicts would continue or it might remain un resolved.
(ii) Bus diplomacy initiative by India has led to openning of number of bus routes between the two countries.
(iii) A train service has also been operational between two countries.
Yes, both countries are very much on their way to develop friedly relationship.They have signed cease fire agreement which despite some glitches have gradually cooled the atmosphere at the border. If fueling of turmoil in J&K and cross border terrorism is stopped by Pakistan,then any issues can be sorted amicably.
(i) Bangladesh is a part of India’s Look East Policy that wants to link up with South east Asia via Myanmar.
(ii) The two states have cooperated on disaster management and environmental issues.
Two areas of disagreement are as :
(i) On sharing of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters.
(ii) Illegal immigration to India.
(i) The US has good relations with both India and Pakistan since the end of the Cold War. It works as a moderator in Indo-Pakistan relations.
(ii) Economic reforms and liberal economic policies in both the countries have greatly increased the depth of American participation in the region.
(iii) A large number of people from South Asia are working in USA and this gives America an added stake in the future of regional security and peace.
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| A. Sept. 1960 | (i) Tashkent Agreement |
| B. 1966 | (ii) Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty |
| C. August 1971 | (iii) Vajpayee’s Bus Journey |
| D. Feb. 1999 | (iv) Indus Water Treaty |
A. Sept. 1960 | (i) Indus Water Treaty |
B. 1966 | (ii) Tashkent Agreement |
C. August 1971 | (iii) Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty |
D. Feb. 1999 | (iv) Vajpayee’s Bus Journey |
Democracy is preferred over dictatorship everywhere except in Pakistan
Those who agree with one of these statments
Very few doubt the suitability of democracy for thier own country.
How suitble is democracy for your country ?
(i) Which country preferred democracy the most ?
(ii) Where preferable for democracy is less?
(iii) In which country most people think democracy as a suitable government for them ?
(iv) What can be concluded from the above map ?
(ii) Pakistan
(iii) Bangladesh
(iv) From above map, it can be concluded that the people in South Asia share the aspiration for democracy. Ordinary citizens, rich as well as poor and belonging to various religions, view democracy positively and support the institutions of representative democracy. They think that democracy is suitable for their country. It shows that democracy could flourish and find support not only in prosperous countries of the world but also in developing countries too.
(i) It had tried to negotiate with the Sri Lankan Government on different occasions.
(ii) In 1987 the Indian Government signed an accord with Sri Lanka and sent troops to stabilise relations between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamils. The Indian Peace Keeping Forces were infact came in direct conflict with the LTTE could not achieve its objective and were pulled out of Sri Lanka in 1989.
(i) Over sharing of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters.
(ii) Illegal immigration to India.
(iii) Support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh.
(iv) Refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to northeastern India.
(v) Not to export natural gas to India or allow Myanmar to do so through Bangladeshi territory.
(vi)Allegatoin against India for encouraging rebellion in the Chittagongs Hill Tracts.
(vI)India remains also biggest source of aid for this Himalayan Kingdom.
(i) Explain the role of two key players who are also interested in the region.
(ii) Is there any commonality between their perspectives ?
(ii) Second cartoon shows the role of USA in South Asian region. The US has good relations with both India and Pakistan and therefore works as a moderator in India-Pakistan relations. In the cartoon the US has been shown as a referee in tennis match between India and Pakistan.
(iii) Both China and USA want to have economic ties i.e., trade and commerce in the region in this age of liberalisation and globalisation.
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1.There is democracy in India and Sri Lanka. Both the countries have remained democratic through out their existence since independence.
2. Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military rulers.
3. There was a constitutional monarchy in Nepal but in 2006. popular uprising led to the restoration of democracy. It reduced the King to a nomial position. Now the king has also been removed.
4. Bhutan is still a monarchy but the King has initiated plans for its transition to multi-party democracy.
5. Maldives was a Sultanate till 1968 when it was transformed into a republic with a presidential form of government.
6.Despite the mixed mixed record of the democratic experience, the people in all these countries share the aspiration for democracy.
1. After Pakistan framed its first constitution, General Ayub Khan took over the administration of the country. He soon got himself elected. Indo-Pak War of 1965 was fought and Tashkent agreement signed in 1966.
2. After Ayub Khan, military rule was established under General Yahya Khan. Indo-Pak War was fought in 1971 and East Pakistan became independent as Bangladesh.
3. An elected government under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto remained in office from 1971 to 1977.
4. General Zia-ul-Haq came to power after removing bhutto and ruled from 1977 to 1988.
5. In 1988 again an elected government was established under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto.
6. In 1999 military stepped in once again when General Parvez Musharraf came to power ending democratic government of Nawaz Sharif. He got himself elected as the President and ruled Pakistan with the Army.
1.The social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy has led to the frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishment of military governments.
2. Pakistan’s conflict with India has made the pro-military groups more powerful.These groups have often siad that political parties and democracy in Pakistan are flawed and Pakistan security would be harmed by selfish- minded parties and chotic democracy.
3.The lack of genuine international support for democratic rule in Pakistan has further encouraged the military to continue its dominance.
4. The United States and other western countries have also encouraged the military’s authoritarian rule for their own reasons such as fear of ‘global Islamic terrorism’ and apprehension of falling of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons into the hands of terrorist groups. Thus, they see military regime as protector of their interests in West Asia and South Asia.
(i) The people of this region resented the domination of western Pakistan and imposition of the Urdu language.
(ii) Unfair treatment was meted out to the Bengali culture and language.
(iii) Fair representation in administration and in political power was denied to the people of East Pakistan.
The main demand was autonomy for the eastern region.
The government adopted repressive measures in which thousands of people were killed. Sheikh Mujib was arrested. This also led to large scale migration into India.The government of India supported the demand for their independence and helped them financially and militarily. As a result of war between India and Pakistan, Bangladesh was formed as an independent country.
(i) Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to successfully control the rate of growth of population.
(ii) It was the first country to liberalise the economy.
(iii) It has the highest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) for many years right through the civil war.
(iv) Despite the ravages of internal conflict, Sri Lanka has maintained a democratic political system.
(i) Kashmir issue : Soon after the partition the two countries were involved in a conflict over the fate of Kashmir. The Pakistani government claimed that Kashmir belonged to it. This led to wars in 1947-48 and 1965. India won a decisive war against Pakistan in 1971 but the Kashmir question remained unsolved.
(ii) There is a conflict over strategic issues like the control of the Siachen glacier and over acquisition of arms. Both the countries have nuclear weapons and missiles to deliver arms against each other. In 1998 India conducted nuclear explosion in Pokharan while Pakistan responded by carrying out nuclear test in the Chagai Hills.
(iii) The Indian government has blamed Pakistan for helping the kashmir militants with arms, money and protection to carry out terrorists strikes against India. It also believes Pakistan aided pro Khalistani militants with arms and ammunitions during 1985-1995.
(iv) According to India, Pakistan’s spy agency ISI is involved in various anti-India campaigns in India's north east operating secretly through Bangladesh and Nepal.
(v) There are differences over the sharing of river waters. However, Indus-waters Treaty has solved this problem.
(vi) The two countries are not in agreement over the demarcation line in Sir Creek in the Rann of Kutch.
(i)There is a treaty between the two countries that allows their citizens to travel to and work in the other country without visas and passports. A large number of Nepalese are in Indian army. Indian citizens are doing business in Nepal.
(ii)Trade, scientific cooperation, common natural resources, electricity generation and interlocking water management grids have brought the two countries closer to each other. But inspite of this relationship there are minor differences between the two countries :
(iii)The Indian government has often expressed displeasure at the warm relationship between Nepal and China and at the Nepal government’s inaction against anti-Indian elements.
(iv) Maoist movement in Nepal is considered a growing threat to the security of India, givev the rise of naxalite groups in various Indian states from Bihar in the north to Andhra Pardesh in the south.
(v) Citizens in Nepal think that the Indian government interferes in their internal affairs, has designs on its river waters and hydro-electricity and prevents Nepal from getting easier access to the sea through Indian territory.
(vi) There is a hope that the consolidation of democracy in Nepal will lead to improvements in the ties between the two countries.
Suggest any two measures to have good relations with Pakistan.
(i)By undertaking confidence building measures
(ii)By opening bus routes between the countries.
“Democracy is becoming the first choice of the people of South Asia.” Justify the statement.
The following justify the given statement:
(i) Despite the mixed record of the democratic experience, the people in all the countries of South Asia share the aspiration for democracy.
(ii) Surveys in SAARC countries show that there is widespread support for democracy everywhere .
(iii) Ordinary citizens view the idea of democracy positively and support the institutions of representative democracy.
(iv) The people prefer democracy over any other form and think that democracy is most for their country.
Explain any two points of conflict between India and Bangladesh.
Two points:
(i) Bangladesh’s refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to to northeastern India.
(ii) Bangladesh decision not to export natural gas to India or allow Myanmar to do so through.
Describe any two major issues of conflict between India and Pakistan leading to the War of 1971.
The issues:
(i) India extended moral and material support to freedom struggle in East Pakistan and Pakistan accused India of a conspiracy to break it up.
(ii) India had to bear the burden of lacks of refugees who fled East Pakistan and took shelter in the neighbouring areas in India.
In the given political outline map of South Asia, five countries have been marked as (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). Identify them on the basis of the information given below and write their correct names in your answer book along with their respective serial number of the information used and the concerned alphabets as per the following format ;
| Sr. No. of the information | Alphabet | Name of Country |
i. An important country but it is not considered to be a part of South Asia.
ii. The country has a successful Democratic System.
iii. This country has had both Civilian and Military rulers.
iv. This country had Constitutional Monarchy.
v. An Island nation which was a Sultanate till 1968.
i. An important country but it is not considered to be a part of South Asia.
ii. The country has a successful Democratic System.
iii. This country has had both Civilian and Military rulers.
iv. This country had Constitutional Monarchy.
v. An Island nation which was a Sultanate till 1968.
| Sr. No. of the information | Alphabet | Name of Country |
|
1. |
B |
China |
Describe the four major objectives of ASEAN Economic Community. Objectives of ASEAN Economic Community.
(i) To create a common market and production base within the ASEAN States.
(ii) To provide social and economic aid
(iii) To improve the existing ASEAN Dispute Settlement Mechanism
(iv) To create a Free Trade Area.
In the given outline map of South Asia, five countries have been marked as (A),(B), (C), (D) and (E) . Identify them on the basis of the information given below and write their correct names in your answer book with their respective serial number of the information used and the alphabet concerned as per the following format :
(i) The country has experienced both civilian as well as military rule.
(ii) Democracy was restored in this country in 2006.
(iii) This country is still a monarchy.
(iv) The Parliament of this country voted unanimously to introduce multi- party system in June 2005.
(v) This country is a part of India’s Look East Policy via Myanmar.’
i) B Pakistan
ii) C Nepal
iii) A Bhutan
iv) E Maldives
v) D Bangladesh
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