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Flashpoints In South Asia AS socio-economic development in India gathers momentum in the backdrop of a fast changing international scenario, a troubled regional environment with its spillover effects throws up some daunting challenges.
As any number of reports would point out, India is ringed-in by nations whose state of affairs are far from happy. While the situation in the immediate neighbourhood remain a matter of grave concern for the policymakers and custodians of national security, the developments in the extended neighbourhood comprising the Middle East, Central Asia and South-East Asia are a matter of concern as they impact India’s foreign trade as well as economic and energy security. The 21st century is centered in Asia, with four of the world’s largest economies by 2030—India, Japan, Russia and China—being spread across this continent. Experts contend that South Asia is likely to have the maximum problems relating to security, terrorism, economic growth and interference from powerful countries like the USA, Western Europe, China and Russia. South Asian countries are in a state of transit for the better. Power shifts always creates security problems and South Asia cannot be any exception. Terrorism has become a serious problem in many countries in the region. The book focuses on the challenging security environment in Southern Asia and the role of India, which is globally perceived as a key "swing state" in the emerging world order due to its growing geopolitical credence, high growth rate and abundant market opportunities. The authors essentially seek to emphasise and expand upon the fact that in the 21st century, three Asian countries, India, Japan and China, along with a fourth closely located nation, Russia, would be among the major players on the global stage. Issues include the need for defence reforms in India. Major General Rajendra Nath is a former commandant of the Indian Military Academy. He was among the first officers to reconnoiter the Aksai Chin area in 1952 and later commanded a brigade in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Colonel Ludra was the founder director the Institute of Strategic Research and Analysis. The authors opine that the mutual relationship among these countries and the impact on security issues would largely depend upon a host of factors, including the state of their economies, their ambition in projecting their military and economic prowess, their alliances, ability to tackle terrorism and their individual relationship with the USA and Europe. In its 11 chapters, the book discusses important problems facing various Asian countries, from Israel in the West to Myanmar in the East, with separate chapters being devoted to each nation. The book also covers India’s relations with others countries, bilateral treaties and their implications as well as various problems concerning India like its political situation, economy and security. While touching upon a host of factors, including the relevance and effect of the changing policy framework of the USA towards Asia, the authors also conjure up the future scenario that can confront India not only economically but also from the security point of view—a future, despite rays of hope, embellished with difficulties. Added to this is the traditional Indian weakness of neglecting security matters and overlooking strategic intellect. The foreword is written by noted strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney who points out that India cannot become a world power without freeing itself from regional shackles. It can neither insulate itself from developments in the region nor realise its full potential without promoting regional and political integration.
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Going
into the depths of history, South Asia was at varying times the most
developed, prosperous and cultured region on earth. It is now plagued
with violence, internal strife, poverty and social disharmony. More
wars have been fought in Central and South Asia than anywhere else,
both in the ancient times as well as post-World War II.