South Asia...

South Asia is a diamond studded region. Its people are heirs to a heritage of rich culture and civilization that is embedded in history. Its geopolitical location, rich natural resources, and cultural diversity make it an attractive economic proposition for the people of the non-region. I believe South Asia to be synonymous with a child who is in its preoperational stage; a stage where it is learning to gather and channel information into problem-solving. With nurturing and recognition of its strengths and weaknesses, South Asia is sure to go places.

I deem South Asia to be a region of fighters. Its biggest strength is its strength to withstand any blow that has come its way. It survived as difficult an epoch as colonization and revitalized as a notable region in its own right. It has resisted every natural calamity that it underwent. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that enveloped Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Maldives from South Asia, is ranked as the 5^th deadliest earthquake ever to have been recorded in human history. Not to mention, the 2010 Pakistan floods, the hazards of which supersede the collective detriment caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Over a span of nine years (1990-2009), natural calamities have claimed more than 28, 6415 lives in most of the region (Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka). Despite the governments and concerned authorities’ lack of attention to building resilience against natural disasters, South Asians’ will did not waver.

The world’s emerging economic powers lie within the realm of South Asia. India, a rising regional hegemon, is part of the ‘BRICs’ (Brazil, Russia, India, China), also known as the ‘Big Four’; countries that are at a similar stage of newly advanced economic development. It is to South Asia’s honor that a thriving nation like India resides within it. Moreover, Bangladesh is one of the ‘Next Eleven’ (N-11); countries that are identified as having high potential of becoming the world’s largest economies in the 21^st century alongside BRICs. Pakistan, an agriculture-based economy, is the world’s 5^th largest milk producer and supplier. With such ascending prosperity in the region, I feel that the road to global success is definitely in sight for South Asia.

Among other feats, South Asia has seen a series of revolutions. The Indonesian National Revolution, one of the largest revolutions of the 20^th century, resulted in an internal social revolution in Indonesia. Jana Andolan-II (People’s Movement-II) – the 2006 Democracy Movement of Nepal against the direct and undemocratic rule of King Gyanendra projected Nepalese resolve to uphold justice. In addition, the 2007 Black Revolution in Pakistan, popularly known as the Lawyer’s Movement, which began with the aim of restoring the depost judges, ultimately ousted General Pervez Musharraf.

South Asian countries have shown inter-regional assistance from time to time. Despite the bitter history that Pakistan and India share, the two countries have joined hands to curb terrorism. India and Pakistan have engaged in endeavors to provide assistance to Afghanistan, so that it blooms after the anticipated and much needed US retreat in 2014.

I feel that South Asia is homogenous in terms of a set of intricately intertwined economic, social, and political problems; poverty, unemployment, overpopulation, lack of a unipolar education system, social development, corruption, lack of rule of law, and terrorism.

South Asia in its entirety is regarded as the poorest region in the world economically, with an average per capita income of about US$350. As per International Labor Organization (ILO) report of 2010, 15.3 million young people in South Asia were found to be unemployed by the end of 2009. Home to one-fifth of the world’s population, South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Overpopulation is sure to be advantageous for a country, given, it is utilized efficiently. However, South Asia has never used this treasure to its advantage. Also, the present education system in South Asia is marked by low access, varying quality, and low standards.

With regard to social development, all the countries in the region, except Sri Lanka, are classified as ‘low human development countries’ as per United Nations Development Program (UNDP) research. Pension and social security problems have followed an incremental pattern in South Asia over the last two decades. As the population ages, there is sure to be a rise in the issue of financing social security. In 1989, social security expenditures accounted for approximately 0.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Till this day, social security comes second to sectors such as Defense.

                      

In terms of corruption, the Corruption Perceptions Index of 2010 shows that Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka fall under the top 100 most corrupt countries in the world. Lack of prevalence of law is one of the reasons behind the region’s high level of corruption. In addition, South Asia is a prominent breeding group for terrorism. Terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda based primarily in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka, and National Liberation Front of Tripura operating in India, have left an indelible mark of terror and hostility on the world.  

Apart from the aforementioned, sex trade in the South Asian region in a concern that needs to be shed light upon. About 5,000-7,000 Nepalese girls are trafficked to India every day. Many of these girls are barely 10 years old.

Two of the world’s nuclear powers, Pakistan and India, dwell in South Asia. As much as nuclear acquisition is considered to be a global accomplishment, I believe that its usage for generation of energy is its only legitimate use. Pakistan and India have always taken a back beat in the drive towards creating a nuclear weapons free world. They have, in fact, increased their nuclear stockpiles over the years. Pakistan has allegedly increased its nuclear stockpiles to 110 recently, paving way for a possible nuclear arms race with India (given the two countries history). Also, it is a shame that two out of the three countries that are not signatories to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NNPT) are South Asian (Pakistan and India) with the third being North Korea.

If South Asia holds its tempo intact and addresses its setbacks, it is sure to be unstoppable in the race of regional triumph.

Ayesha Shaikh

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