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South Asia is a region in historical and civilizational terms. But the question is, whether it can be considered a region in strategic and geopolitical terms, especially for purposes of analysing security policies? The security of countries in South Asia is directly and indirectly affected by the military postures and policies of many countries, both within South Asia as well as beyond it.
The Indian Ocean and the states on its littoral are of significant and growing importance. The region contains 1/3 of the worlds population, 25% of its landmass, 40% of the worlds oil and gas reserves. It is the locus of important international sea lines of communication. The region is home to most of the worlds Muslim population as well as India, one of the worlds likely "rising powers". It is also home to two nuclear weapons states, India and Pakistan, as/well as Iran, which most observers believe has a robust programme to acquire nuclear weapons. Despite all talk of nuclear deterrence, the region is extremely volatile and dangerous. and yet, there are those who passionately believe that there is an essential "oneness" about South Asia.
Economy, security and governance issues dominate the general scenario in the South Asian region. South Asia is one the poorest with high density population, low in human development index but has experienced a long period of robust economic growth. With inclusive growth, South Asia has the potential to change global poverty. It has managed to hold its own in terms of growth rates without being significantly affected by the vicissitudes that visited the world economy. Governance or lack of it bedevils all countries and almost all countries have serious problems of management of social change.
Two aspects affect security. The first relates to the external environment, regional politics and geo-political aspirations. The other pertains to the internal security environment and the capacity to cope with the complex and often conflicting aspirations of the worlds densest and largest population grouping, The South Asian region is of economic significance to the west and serves as a strategic geographical location for the purpose of trade and commerce. However, with political and economic challenges facing the region, the west will closely monitor South Asia where Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will continue to serve as the regions key players.
The South Asia Defence and Strategic Year Book offers a window seat to the various components of security in the region. The analysis is based on the precept of "understanding through information.ISBN - 9788182747586
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Pages : 400
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