The Urgent Need for Peace and Cooperation in South Asia

The South Asian region comprises eight countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Its population is around 1.95 billion, quite close to 2 billion.

While it accounts for about 23% of the world’s population, the area has only about 5% of the global landmass. The population density, or people living per square kilometer, is over 400 here, compared to about 50 for the entire world.

South Asia is, on the whole, significantly short of its requirements for oil, gas, and rare earthsRare EarthsA group of 17 chemical elements crucial for manufacturing many modern technologies, including electronics, clean energy, and defense systems., and is hence dependent on imports.

A substantial part of the area, comprising over 90% of its population in fact, was under direct and indirect colonial ruleColonial RuleThe policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation maintaining or extending its control over other countries, especially in establishing settlements or exploiting resources. for almost two centuries. During this period, this once relatively prosperous land was transformed into an extremely poor one due to the highly exploitative policies of colonial rulers.

With its majestic but geologically fragile HimalayasGeologically Fragile HimalayasRefers to landforms or areas that are highly susceptible to natural disturbances such as earthquakes, landslides, and erosion due to their young geological age and tectonic activity., vast deserts, and densely populated coastal areas, it is highly vulnerable to climate change, global warming, and a wide range of disasters. Several serious environmental problems are increasing, and great caution has to be exercised in protecting basic life-nurturing conditions, which are increasingly threatened at several levels. Nearly one-half of the people here struggle to meet their basic needs.

Keeping all these factors in view, South Asia needs a future of peace and cooperation to protect humanity as well as other forms of life.

Unfortunately, this peace and cooperation have been increasingly elusive as hostilities persist among the various nations at different levels. This is a heavily armed area, and there are two nuclear-weapon statesNuclear-Weapon StatesCountries recognized as possessing nuclear weapons. In South Asia, these are India and Pakistan.. Several terrorist groups with high destructive capacity are located here. There are several border disputes among these countries, as well as with nations outside the area.

It is of the greatest urgency that South Asia should be free from war. We have recently seen how destructive war can be in countries like Ukraine, Sudan, and Iran, but in these three nations, the population density is between 30 and 60, compared to over 400 for South Asia. Hence, war can be extremely destructive here, particularly if it gets entangled with other disasters at the same time. Imagine a conflict taking place in desert areas during blistering heat waves, or alongside other disasters. As far as a nuclear weapon exchange is concerned, it is horrifying to even contemplate the intolerably high loss of life in the most densely populated cities.

Hence, there is absolutely no doubt that South Asia should now enter a new era of friendship and cooperation. Here, we suggest a 12-point agenda:

1. Agreements should be reached to completely reject the possibility of war. All differences should be resolved through negotiations. A firm commitment never to use nuclear weapons should be made.
2. Agreements should be reached that no country will support, in any way, a terror group to attack any other country. If a terror group based in Country A launches an attack on Country B without the knowledge of Country A’s authorities, Country A will cooperate with Country B in trying its best to catch the culprits and initiate suitable action against them, as per legal provisions.
3. With the dangers of war and terror attacks removed, the various countries should make sincere and continuous efforts to forge relationships of friendship.
4. A common agreement should be reached that all countries will adopt protective policies towards their religious or other minorities.
5. All countries should affirm faith in inter-faith harmonyInter-faith HarmonyPeaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and understanding among people of different religious beliefs and practices. and agree to take steps to promote it.
6. All nations will seek to promote mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with each other.
7. All countries will cooperate to take forward protective steps relating to climate change, various disasters, and environmental issues.
8. All river and water-related issues will be resolved with an understanding based on meeting the essential water needs of all people in a fair way.
9. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)SAARCThe regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia, established to promote economic and regional integration. will be strengthened to assist in taking forward some of these initiatives.
10. The cultural and spiritual heritage of South Asia will be treated as a common heritage in terms of earning the respect of all people and governments.
11. Cultural, academic, sports, media, and cinema exchanges and cooperation will be facilitated and improved.
12. Last but not least, the common interests of the area will be identified for pursuing them at various international fora with a strong sense of unity and common understanding.