South Asian Survey recent issues

Editor-in-Chief's Note

Khosla, I.P. — 2009-04-17

Theory for Strategy: Emerging India in a Changing World

Basrur, R. M. — 2009-04-17

The realist school of thought in international relations theory, under attack in the post-Cold War era for its numerous failings, has turned away from its focus on system structure to a refined version of its earlier form, which also focused on domestic factors and policy choice. But the neoclassical school neglects important systemic dynamics arising from variations in levels of economic and strategic interdependence. A refined neoclassical approach, by focusing on the relationship between degrees of interdependence and the role of structure, identifies the scope for optimal policy choice in different settings. For India, a nation on the threshold of major power status, this provides an improved basis for interpreting the changing international system and fashioning an appropriate broad strategy toward it.

Afghanistan in South Asia: Regional Cooperation or Competition?

D'Souza, S. M. — 2009-04-17

Afghanistan seems to be sliding into chaos notwithstanding the initial euphoria that followed the toppling of the Taliban regime. The long-term stability of Afghanistan is mainly contingent upon its integration in a regional cooperative framework. The Afghanistan Compact adopted at the London Conference in January-February 2006 identified regional cooperation as a main plank of the international community's reconstruction strategy. However, not all stakeholders in the region share similar perceptions or interests in promoting regional cooperation. This article seeks to examine whether regional cooperation in South Asia could be an effective mechanism to bring in long-term stability in Afghanistan. Will regional cooperation augment Afghanistan's capacity to deliver basic needs to the Afghan people? Would its entry into the South Asian fold contribute to peace in that country?

An Australian Perspective on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal

Gordon, S. — 2009-04-17

Following its election in 2007, the Labour government imposed a moratorium on export of Australian uranium to India. This article argues that with the Indo-US deal and concomitant agreements now in place, Australia should agree to export uranium to India. It does so on the grounds that the agreements will adequately protect Australian uranium from misuse, will not unduly test the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, could open out opportunities to meet important safety concerns, could help stabilise potentially dangerous vertical and horizontal proliferation and could also mitigate the region's burgeoning production of greenhouse gases. In supporting the agreements through nuclear trade with India, however, Australia should use any influence it is able to garner thereby to ensure that the Indo-US agreement itself is not seen as part of an attempt on the part of the United States (US), or any other power, to harness India as a means of containing China, and thus exacerbating what could become a destabilising tendency in the region.

Contact Sport: Cricket in India-Pakistan Relations Since 1999

Crick, E. — 2009-04-17

Cricket is the favourite sport throughout South Asia. It can unite and divide polities, both internationally and intra-nationally. The history of bilateral cricket matches between India and Pakistan has always been closely connected to Indo-Pak relations; when diplomatic relations were at their lowest, the Test series were halted. However when bilateral relations were good enough for matches to be played, they were largely played in good spirit and the positive effects could be felt throughout both countries. Cricket has the ability to work on a multitude of ‘tracks’ through unofficial meetings with high level leaders, middle ranking elites, the media, business and the common man, to increase communications and break down negative stereotypes across the border.

Party Politics and Political Violence in Bangladesh: Issues, Manifestation and Consequences

Moniruzzaman, M. — 2009-04-17

This article analyses the causes, manifestation and consequences of political violence in Bangladesh. The analysis is based on two arguments: first, that there is a cyclical relationship between inter-party conflict, political violence, and inter-party enmity; and secondly, inter-party conflict and violence at the horizontal level leads to political non-cooperation and stalemate at the vertical level between the ruling party and the opposition. Political violence emerges from a deep rooted political culture of intolerance, antagonism, revenge and arrogance. Apparent immediate causes of political violence are expressions of underlying differences and rifts along the lines of ideological, political, religious and institutional dimensions. Political violence results in distrust, institutionalisation of violence as a legitimate means of political expression and socialisation of violence-politics for the new generation of party loyalists.

India as a Threat: Bangladeshi Perceptions

Vinayaraj, V.K. — 2009-04-17

India dominates the South Asian region in political and strategic terms. India's overwhelming presence, big brotherly attitude and the regional security initiatives taken by it are perceived by its neighbours as threats to their security. It is in this context that Bangladesh's threat perceptions of India and changes thereof are analysed in this article. Bangladesh's threat perceptions vis-à-vis India are diverse in nature varying from political, economic, environmental and strategic issues. The changing nature of such threat perceptions has led to insecurity in the region and has created strains in bilateral relations. The article analyses the changing nature of threat perceptions in Bangladesh determined by power, geographic proximity, offensive capabilities and perceived intentions. Apart from analysing the dynamics of Bangladesh-India relations, the article also attempts to identify the reasons for change in Bangladesh's threat perception of India.

AIDS and the State: A Comparison of Brazil, India and South Africa

Iqbal, J. M. — 2009-04-17

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is now considered not only a health problem, but also a development issue as well as a security threat. While states have responded in varied ways to the AIDS epidemic, most have failed in combating it. What explains the variations in state responses to the AIDS epidemic? This article compares the state responses of Brazil, India and South Africa to AIDS with the help of a few variables: states’ primacy to human security, socio–cultural norms, civil society activism and a rapidly changing strategic environment. This article demonstrates that a greater level of state's primacy to human security threats like HIV/AIDS and civil society activism produce a more successful state response. The article further suggests that social and political conditions do impact upon the state's response to AIDS. Prominent among them are the rapidly changing strategic environment and socio–cultural norms.

Human Trafficking from the Philippines to Malaysia: The Impact of Urbanism

Saat, G. — 2009-04-17

Trafficking in and trading of human beings is one of the phenomena of urbanism. This article presents a simple ‘explanatory model for human trafficking through urbanism’. Human trafficking, which is the biggest global illegal business after drug trading, has been declared an organised crime by the United Nations (UN). In order to crack down on these illegal businesses, the UN, in collaboration with many affected nations, has undertaken various measures, but has unfortunately met with little success. Trafficking in human beings continues to persist and the main players continue to accumulate considerable wealth through the exploitation of their victims. This article therefore explores the underlying forces responsible for human trafficking and presents an Explanatory Model for the Sustainability of Human Trafficking. The model draws from a case study of human trafficking from the Philippines to Malaysia.

Book Reviews

2009-04-17

Editor-in Chief's Note

2009-04-02

South Asia: Is a Regional Security Community Possible?

Jones, P. — 2009-04-02

Unlike many other regions of the world that have been experiencing steadily increasing levels of economic and political integration, South Asia remains stubbornly slow in enhancing levels of regional cooperation. This article looks at the issue through the mechanism of the Regional Security Community Theory and asks whether this theory has any relevance for South Asia. It concludes that purist notions of what makes such communities are not likely to be relevant to South Asia for some time. But if one takes a more flexible approach to the theoretical construct, and looks to issues which attend the nascent phase of the development of such communities, one may both discern developments and outline possible strategies that can help to bring about changes in the region's political and strategic reality.

American Worldview and Its Implications for India

Vijayalakshmi, K.P. — 2009-04-02

The dawn of the new millennium has witnessed a renewed focus on power and security in the context of American primacy in global affairs. Today the United States of America (US) enjoys a position of power that was hitherto unknown by any one country. As the pre-eminence of US power animates the international landscape, several aspects of the resultant power asymmetries have prompted a fresh round of strategic thinking. It has sharpened the focus on the roots and evolution of the American worldview that shapes and guides the country's international policies. An appraisal of the worldview of the US today has significant implications for India, since Indo-US ties are in the process of deepening. The main questions that this article seeks to address are (i) what drives America's policies towards India, and (ii) how the changed worldview of America's security and power impacts Indo-US relations.

Digging to Survive: Women's Livelihoods in South Asia's Small Mines and Quarries

Lahiri-Dutt, K. — 2009-04-02

The global trend of the informalisation of women's work is also evident in what is commonly known as artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) practices. Small mines and quarries are extremely diverse in nature, but comprise a repository of extremely poor people. This article focuses on the gender and livelihood issues and concerns in small mines and quarries of South Asia. In view of the lack of official quantitative data, the research presented here is based on proxy indicators and field surveys. It addresses a gap in existing knowledge in ASM and makes visible gender roles in the informal work in the mines and quarries. The article provides the necessary backdrop, relevant information and interpretation of livelihood needs with a view to sensitising policy makers to the issues rooted in gender.

Judiciary and Good Governance in Bangladesh

Mollah, Md. A. H. — 2009-04-02

The terms ‘governance’ and ‘good governance’ are increasingly being used in development literature. Intellectuals, bureaucrats and civil society members alike are accepting the spirit of the concept and are conceiving it in the context of their own experience and environment. The Bangladeshi government has recently been under constant pressure from various donor agencies for ensuring good governance. The implementation and achievement of good governance depends upon the transparency, honesty and efficiency of the legislature, executive and judiciary, along with the cooperation of civil society and the private sector. The main concern of this article is to analyse the role of the judiciary in the pursuit of good governance in Bangladesh. The study will focus on the Bangladesh Supreme Court in order to evaluate its role in ensuring good governance.

Health Policy, Programmes and System in Bangladesh: Achievements and Challenges

Osman, F. A. — 2009-04-02

Despite being a resource poor country, Bangladesh has achieved impressive health gains which make it an example for other developing countries. Over the last decades key health indicators like life expectancy and coverage of immunisation have improved significantly while infant mortality, maternal mortality and fertility rates have dropped considerably. But most of these achievements are mainly quantitative while qualitative improvement is negligible. Poor access to services, low quality of care, high rate of maternal mortality and poor status of child health still remain as challenges of the health sector. This article reviews the health programmes undertaken since independence and the system itself to see which aspects of the policy have contributed to these achievements and challenges. The findings show that the healthcare plans and policy have actually helped to expand services causing quantitative advances while managerial weaknesses and governance problems are the main factors inhibiting qualitative improvement. Finally, the article puts forward some suggestions to address these challenges.

Social and Educational Characteristics of Village Leadership in Haryana

Malik, A.S., Yadav, P. — 2009-04-02

Based on empirical information, the proportion of younger and middle-aged leaders in gram panchayats in India is increasing, particularly among women and relatively educated leaders. However, an emerging young leadership is absent in the case of scheduled castes (A) and backward castes (A) leaders. The study also reveals that caste is a significant factor in electing a panch or sarpanch in a village panchayat. Reservations on caste basis and the ward system have further reenforced this trend. In general, leaders at the gram panchayat level are either illiterate or educated up to the matriculation level, while the leaders of upper, farming and backward castes (B) are better in terms of educational achievements as compared to leaders of other castes. Furthermore, the young leaders are relatively better educated and a majority of them are from smaller families. Thus, leaders belonging to upper and farming castes are socially and educationally ahead of leaders from other castes.

Documents

2009-04-02

Editor-in-Chief's Note

2008-12-09

India and the Great Powers: Strategic Imperatives, Normative Necessities

Rajagopalan, R., Sahni, V. — 2008-12-09

Six propositions drive this article. First, India's relations with the great powers as they evolve over the next two decades are going to be conditioned by India's own emergence as a great power. Second, it will take at least 15 to 20 years for a balance to re-emerge in the contemporary hegemonic system; hence, India's emergence will be simultaneous with the relative decline of the United States (US). Third, Indian policy makers and analysts need to think structurally about India's external relations, especially with the US and China. Fourth, India's relations with the great powers are inseparable from the broader issue of emerging Asian balances and security architectures. Fifth, India needs to keep a keen eye on other major powers, among whom Russia, Japan, the European Union (EU) and Brazil will be particularly important. Finally, while building its capabilities along a broad spectrum, India must not lose sight of the normative component that is inherent in great power status.

India and the United States: Grand Strategic Partnership for a Better World

Bajpai, K. — 2008-12-09

A grand strategic partnership between India and the United States (US) can be constructed at five levels—the planetary, the global, the international, the continental and the regional. The focus, conventionally, is on the last three levels. Planetary and global changes, however, confront both countries with huge challenges. India and the US must find ways to cooperate in dealing with climate change and resource depletion, as also with a revolution in human affairs that promises emancipation but could end in reaction and violence. As two continental-sized, pluralistic democracies, they have unique strengths in building a better world.

India and Russia: Allies in the International Political System

Chenoy, A. M. — 2008-12-09

India is seeking a greater role for itself in the international system. This aspiration is based on the view that India is a stable democracy with significant human and material resources; it is an increasingly important economic power; it has an established record as a responsible and law abiding state; and it has consistently voiced the concerns of the developing countries as a leader of the non-aligned group. Indian foreign policy makers argue that at this stage of ‘take off’ as a great power India needs to re-invent itself. For this proposed new role India requires new allies and partnerships, including with the dominant superpower, the United States of America (US). The US has stated that it will make India into a great power. What is the US interest in India? How will this new interest and tie-up affect India's traditional partners like Russia? This article seeks to analyse the old model of relations that India enjoyed with Russia. This model is now being given up. Its place is being taken by an Indo-US strategic partnership. How different is this new model strategic relationship in comparison to the Indo-Soviet/Russian relationship? Some of these issues are addressed in this article.

Venus and the Porcupine: Assessing the European Union-India Strategic Partnership

Kavalski, E. — 2008-12-09

This article brings together the diverse suggestions on the nascent strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and India. Apart from focusing on popular and policy perceptions, this inquiry undertakes a discursive assessment of key documents defi ning the institutional and ideational frameworks of relations between Brussels and New Delhi. Such narrative analysisallows for innovative tracing of the genealogy, distinct grammars and contradictions of their interactions. Thus, while many of the commentaries on the emerging agency of the EU and India are primarily aimed at making an empirical contribution, this investigation offers a theoretically-informed refl ection on their debates. The contention is that an analytical observation can elicit underlying patterns that tend to remain occluded by the focus on trade fi gures, commercial output or military capabilities.

India-China Relations: Perception, Problems, Potential

Singh, S. — 2008-12-09

Mutual perceptions and policies of an emerging India and a rising China have increasingly become the focus of public debates around the world. The two countries are seen today as ordained to become major pillars of the international system. The future of India-China relations clearly impinges on the future of Asia, if not the whole world. But in addition to bringing a limited visibility, this public glare has only further complicated their already complex web of problems and potential. The fact that both countries still continue to work together to enhance their mutual understanding holds promise for their future. While their historical baggage continues, continued engagement between China and India remains an imperative for their own survival and for the welfare of their people. In the context of the increasing external influences on their interactions, this article makes an appeal for indigenisation of their mutual explorations and policy formulations.

India and Japan: Reluctant Idealism to Practical Realism

Paul, J. M. — 2008-12-09

The relationship between Japan and India has been influenced by the international power configuration over time. In the early post-War period, both countries embraced idealistic moor-ings about how the world should be. In due course of time, the United States (US) alliance system put Japan in the western camp of Cold War power politics while India followed a policy of non-alignment. However, with the end of the Cold War and the transformation of Asia into a composite power playground, India and Japan have developed a much closer relationship. The relative decline of America's strategic interest towards the East Asian region and the changing dynamics of security in Asia have forced Japan to search for new partners in Asia, culminat-ing in the present strategic partnership with India. It is in this context that this article probes Indo-Japanese relations by analysing their economic, political and strategic facets.

South Africa in the Contemporary International Economy: India's Competitor or Ally?

Shrivastava, M. — 2008-12-09

New Economy cannot be characterised by the high technological applications to production, distribution and consumption alone. Its other salient dimension is South-South economic and political alliances. In the evolving international political economy, a small group of middleincome developing countries are actively challenging established international structures and regimes. While the success of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) as an economic or ideological strategy of the South is far from proven, its impact on South Africa-India relations in particular is tangible. Since South Africa occupies a unique position in Africa, the analysis follows a detailed layout of the South African economy since 1994. This article assesses South Africa's trajectory of economic development by analysing local, regional and global contexts within which the South African economy operates in order to understand the unique position of South Africa on the continent and in the global South. The article also explores the impact of these changing contexts on the South Africa-India bilateral relationship, within and beyond IBSA.

Brazil-India Relations: A Reciprocal Learning Process

Hirst, M. — 2008-12-09

Relations between Brazil and India seem to be blooming recently, favoured by a mix of domestic and international developments. Together with an expanded terrain of common interests in multilateral political and economic matters, both countries share the trend of perceiving bilateralism as a stimulating and useful learning process. Furthermore, they have assumed a leading role in the process of revival of South-South diplomacy in world affairs. Brazil and India have become major actors in recent proposals aimed at simultaneously promoting a renewed configuration of multilateral institutions and innovative inter-state coalition building among developing countries. The India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) initiative is part of this strategy. However, time and maturity are still needed to assert that Brazil-India bilateral ties and converging interests will build up as a relevant dimension for each other's international insertion as well as for an effective renewal of South-South relations in the twenty-first century.

Australia-India: An Important Partnership

Bonnor, J. — 2008-12-09

The Australia-India relationship has reached its strongest point for many years, but it is poised at the edge of a difficult issue that may undermine all the hard work. Economic relations are very robust, with Australia's energy supplier role being increasingly important to India. Mutual strategic interests in Asia, the Indian Ocean and counter-terrorism dictate greater focus on the underdeveloped security relationship. But it is the tricky matter of uranium sales that is the big issue in bilateral relations. It has the potential to create a major rupture if a mature accommodation is not reached. Australia and India could develop a stronger and broader partnership that will benefit both but the uranium issue will be a significant challenge to overcome on the way.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE

2008-07-14

Pakistan's Changing Outlook on Kashmir

Hussain, S. R. — 2008-07-14

Having remained wedded to Kashmir as an ‘armed self-determination conflict’ for over five decades, Pakistan under General Pervez Musharraf seems to be changing course in favour of a diplomatic settlement that would be acceptable to India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris. This changing Pakistani outlook on Kashmir is clearly reflected in President Musharraf ’s advocacy of a four-point proposal which seeks a settlement of the Kashmir dispute outside the framework of UN resolutions. This article describes key elements of Islamabad's new thinking on Kashmir, analyses some of the domestic, regional and global factors underpinning this change and concludes by noting some of the domestic challenges faced by Musharraf in effectively pursuing his out of the box thinking on Kashmir.

Fundamentalism and Bangladesh: No Error, No Terror

Hussain, I. — 2008-07-14

Even though the record-setting August 2005 explosion of over 500 bombs across Bangladesh killed only three people, the question if this is a new threat arena doomed to inflict even higher casualties cannot be escaped. Narrowing a generic discussion of fundamentalism, globalisation and terrorism to Bangladesh shows how five types and three levels of fundamentalism utilise globalised channels to bring terrorism closer. Distinguishing between mainstream and extremist Islam, the study finds that while legitimate participation in political coalition making empowers Islamic parties, it also unwittingly opens doors to jihadis. Alienated by chaotic politics, as people increasingly seek religious reassurances, jihadi entrepreneurs even benefit from an opportunity: exploiting 250,000 Bihari and 300,000 Rohingya refugees languishing in Bangladesh, utilising Wahhabi money, for whatever the purpose. The case is made to absorb refugees to reduce the potential terrorist pool, and thereby give meaning to the impressive ongoing economic performance.

Export Controls in India: Essential Confidence Building Measures for Trade and Security

Sethi, M. — 2008-07-14

The article undertakes a generic examination of the global change in understanding export controls with the end of the Cold War and in the wake of new threats of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation to and by non-state actors. These have necessitated a more inclusive approach to export controls. India, which until now has been outside such regimes, has a special significance since it is a major user, producer and trader of dual-use items and technologies. The article links the global changes with a simultaneous transformation in India's perception of export controls. It contrasts India's past and present approaches to export controls, identifies measures towards their better institutionalisation, highlights implementation challenges unique to the Indian environment and suggests measures to overcome these challenges. The article also argues that while export controls ensure trade with security, they have limited value as tools of non-proliferation, which in order to be sustainable, must not only dry up supply sources but also mitigate demand.

Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Bhutan: Analysing Constraints to Growth

Moktan, S. — 2008-07-14

Over 98 per cent of the Bhutanese private sector consists of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and it is invariably believed that they would play a central role in fostering entrepreneurship development, providing employment and reducing poverty. However, there are several difficult challenges facing Bhutanese SMEs. This article analyses the constraints on SMEs in Bhutan by conducting interviews and a nationwide questionnaire survey of 168 micro and small firms. The findings indicate that the biggest constraints are related to restrictive business regulations, finance and infrastructure. Additionally, significant differences in the severity level of constraints between urban and rural districts are observed with regards to size, sector and ownership. Even within the SMEs, the segregation approach generated an altogether different portrayal of their distinctive needs. Our findings clearly suggest lack of government support to the SMEs. The article concludes that the Royal Government of Bhutan needs to promote the growth of SMEs through demand-driven and specifically targeted policies for urban and rural districts, based on their idiosyncratic needs.

India's China Policy in the 1950s: Threat Perceptions and Balances

Patil, S. S. — 2008-07-14

This article examines India's China policy in the 1950s with reference to the balance of power theory. Using the logic of internal and external balancing, this article investigates the policy that India followed to contain the China threat. I argue that since Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru failed to perceive the China threat, India's policy did not aim at balancing China. In substantiating this argument, I focus upon the perceptions of Nehru, the key Indian policy maker on China, and analyse how his perceptions influenced the actual policy on ground. Studying this period in the bilateral relationship is relevant even today as some of the key issues afflicting the relationship originated during the 1950s.

Documents

2008-07-14

Book Reviews

2008-07-14