Class | Subject | Book | Chapter | Session | Questions covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XII | Political Science | Contemporary World Politics (NCERT) | 3 – Contemporary South Asia | 2026-27 | 10 of 10 |
Chapter at a glance
Country | Key political features |
|---|---|
Pakistan | Alternation of military rule and civilian governments; army, clergy and landowners dominate; conflict with India |
Bangladesh | Independence 1971; presidential then military rule; parliamentary democracy since 1991; microcredit (Grameen Bank) |
Nepal | Monarchy → constitutional monarchy (1990) → Maoist insurgency → monarchy abolished 2008; federal republic constitution 2015 |
Sri Lanka | Democracy since 1948; ethnic conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils (LTTE) ended militarily in 2009; first to liberalise economy |
Bhutan, Maldives | Bhutan – monarchy moving to constitutional monarchy (2008); Maldives – sultanate → republic (1968), multi-party since 2005 |
India–neighbours | Kashmir and terrorism with Pakistan; water, migration and border issues with Bangladesh; Nepal, Sri Lanka ties |
SAARC (1985) | Regional cooperation; SAFTA signed at 12th summit, Islamabad (2004) |
External powers | USA and China influence South Asian politics |
Exercises
Identify the country: a. The struggle among pro-monarchy, pro-democracy groups and extremists created an atmosphere of political instability. b. A landlocked country with multi-party competition. c. The first country to liberalise its economy in the South Asian region. d. In the conflict between the military and pro-democracy groups, the military has prevailed over democracy. e. Centrally located and shares borders with most of the South Asian countries. f. Earlier the island had the Sultan as the head of state. Now, it’s a republic. g. Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty. h. A landlocked country with a monarchy.
Answer
Answer
Clue | Country |
|---|---|
a | Nepal |
b | Nepal |
c | Sri Lanka |
d | Pakistan |
e | India |
f | Maldives |
g | Bangladesh |
h | Bhutan |
- Nepal; b. Nepal; c. Sri Lanka; d. Pakistan; e. India; f. Maldives; g. Bangladesh; h. Bhutan.
Which among the following statements about South Asia is wrong? a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic. b) Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement on river-water sharing. c) SAFTA was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad. d) The US and China play an influential role in South Asian politics.
Answer
Answer
(a) is wrong. Not all South Asian countries have had uninterrupted democracy – Pakistan has had long periods of military rule, and Bhutan is a monarchy (constitutional since 2008). (India and Bangladesh signed the Ganga water-sharing treaty in 1996; SAFTA was signed at Islamabad in 2004; the US and China are influential.)
- “All the countries in South Asia are democratic” is wrong.
What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?
Answer
Answer
Commonalities
- Both had long periods of military rule (Pakistan: Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, Musharraf; Bangladesh: Ziaur Rahman, H. M. Ershad).
- Both have seen popular struggles for democracy against military rulers.
- Rivalry between two major parties/leaders (Pakistan: PPP vs PML; Bangladesh: Awami League vs BNP).
- Problems of corruption, instability and weak institutions.
Differences
- Bangladesh has been a functioning multi-party parliamentary democracy since 1991, with regular elections; in Pakistan the army remains very powerful and civilian governments have often been overthrown.
- In Pakistan, the army, clergy and landowning aristocracy dominate; Bangladesh has a stronger civil society and a culture of popular movements.
- Pakistan’s democracy is also affected by its conflict with India and US support to military regimes during the Cold War.
Both experienced military rule, popular movements for democracy and bitter two-party rivalry; but Bangladesh has sustained parliamentary democracy since 1991, while in Pakistan the army, clergy and landed elite continue to dominate and civilian rule remains fragile.
List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.
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Answer
- Conflict between monarchy and democracy – kings dissolved parliaments and seized power (e.g. 2005), until the monarchy was abolished in 2008.
- Maoist insurgency (1996–2006) and political violence; integrating former rebels into democratic politics.
- Political instability – frequent changes of government, coalition conflicts and delays in framing the constitution (finally adopted in 2015).
- (Also) Ethnic and regional demands (Madhesis, Janajatis) over federalism and representation.
The struggle between monarchy and democracy, the Maoist insurgency and violence, and political instability with constitutional and ethnic (Madhesi) disputes.
Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?
Answer
Answer
Principal players
- The Sinhala majority and Sinhala nationalist parties, who dominated the government.
- The Tamil minority (Sri Lankan Tamils of the north and east, and Indian-origin Tamils), and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), which fought for a separate Tamil Eelam.
- The Government of Sri Lanka and its armed forces.
- India (IPKF, 1987–90) and Norway (peace talks) as external actors.
Prospects: The armed conflict ended in 2009 with the military defeat of the LTTE. However, lasting peace requires a political solution – devolution of power (13th Amendment), equal rights and language status for Tamils, reconciliation, rehabilitation of displaced people and accountability for human rights violations. If these are addressed, the prospects of resolution are good; otherwise grievances may resurface. Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and economic growth help, but post-war reconciliation has been slow.
The Sinhala majority and government on one side and the Tamil minority and LTTE on the other (with India and Norway as outside actors); the war ended in 2009, but durable peace depends on devolution, equal rights and genuine reconciliation.
Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well on their way to a friendly relationship?
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Answer
Agreements
- Indus Waters Treaty (1960) – sharing of river waters (mediated by the World Bank).
- Simla Agreement (1972) – bilateral resolution of disputes.
- Agreement on not attacking each other’s nuclear installations (1988) and exchange of lists every year.
- Lahore Declaration (1999) – confidence-building measures; Delhi–Lahore bus service.
- Composite dialogue (2004), Samjhauta Express, Srinagar–Muzaffarabad bus service (2005), trade across the LoC.
- Ceasefire understanding along the LoC (2003, reaffirmed 2021); Kartarpur corridor (2019).
Can we be sure? No. Despite agreements, relations are repeatedly disrupted by terrorist attacks (Kargil 1999, Parliament 2001, Mumbai 2008, Pathankot 2016, Uri 2016, Pulwama 2019, Pahalgam 2025), the Kashmir dispute, cross-border firing, the arms race and mistrust. Talks are often suspended. So friendly relations are still a distant goal, though dialogue and CBMs keep the door open.
Agreements include the Indus Waters Treaty, Simla Agreement, nuclear-installation pact, Lahore Declaration, bus and train links, ceasefire understandings and the Kartarpur corridor; but terrorism, the Kashmir dispute and mistrust mean we cannot be sure of friendly relations.
Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
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Cooperation
- Economic and trade relations – Bangladesh is a major trading partner; “Look East/Act East” policy; transit and connectivity (rail, road, waterways, power trade).
- Disaster management, security and environment – cooperation against terrorism and insurgents; sharing of power; the Land Boundary Agreement (2015) settled enclaves.
Disagreement
- Sharing of river waters – Ganga and Teesta waters.
- Illegal migration into India and border issues (border fencing, killings at the border); India’s complaints about anti-India groups and Bangladesh’s concerns about trade imbalance.
Cooperation: trade and connectivity (Act East, transit, power) and disaster management/security (including the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement). Disagreement: sharing of Ganga and Teesta waters, and illegal migration and border issues.
How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.
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External powers like the USA and China (and earlier the USSR) influence South Asia because of its strategic location, markets and conflicts:
- USA – during the Cold War it gave military aid to Pakistan (SEATO, CENTO), which affected India–Pakistan relations; after 2001 it worked with Pakistan in the war on terror and also built a strategic partnership with India; it often mediates in India–Pakistan crises.
- China – close strategic ties with Pakistan (nuclear and missile help, CPEC); investments in Sri Lanka (Hambantota port), Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives under the Belt and Road Initiative, competing with India.
Example – China–Pakistan relations: China’s military, nuclear and economic support (CPEC through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) strengthens Pakistan against India, increases India’s security concerns, and makes the India–Pakistan dispute harder to resolve. China has also blocked UN action against Pakistan-based terrorists.
The USA and China shape South Asian relations through aid, alliances and investment; e.g. China’s military, nuclear and CPEC support to Pakistan heightens India’s security concerns and complicates India–Pakistan relations.
Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian countries.
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Role: SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, 1985) brings together Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to promote cooperation through non-political means. It has:
- signed the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA, 2004) to reduce tariffs and create a free trade area;
- promoted cooperation in agriculture, health, energy, education, disaster management and culture;
- provided a platform for leaders of rival countries to meet.
Limitations
- Political differences, especially between India and Pakistan, block decisions; summits are often postponed (no summit since 2014).
- Low intra-regional trade – SAFTA’s implementation is slow; long sensitive lists; non-tariff barriers.
- Fear of India’s dominance among smaller neighbours.
- Bilateral issues are kept out of SAARC, so core disputes remain.
- Weak institutions and limited resources.
SAARC promotes economic and social cooperation, notably through SAFTA, and lets leaders meet; but India–Pakistan hostility, low intra-regional trade, fear of Indian dominance, exclusion of bilateral disputes and weak institutions limit its effectiveness.
India’s neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affairs of the smaller countries of the region. Is this a correct impression?
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Answer
Partly, but not entirely.
Why neighbours feel so
- India’s size, population, economy and military make it dominant in the region; it shares borders with most countries.
- Past actions: the IPKF in Sri Lanka (1987–90), the 1971 war, the 1989 trade blockade of Nepal and later supply disruptions, intervention in the Maldives (1988), and concerns over river waters and border fencing.
- India’s support to certain groups (e.g. Madhesis in Nepal) is seen as interference.
Why it is not entirely correct
- Many interventions were at the request of governments (Maldives 1988, Sri Lanka 1987).
- India has given large economic aid, trade concessions and infrastructure support (Neighbourhood First policy, Gujral Doctrine of non-reciprocity).
- It has resolved disputes peacefully (Ganga treaty 1996, Land Boundary Agreement 2015).
- India seeks regional stability; problems in neighbours (terrorism, refugees) affect India too.
Conclusion: India must be sensitive to the concerns of smaller neighbours and follow a policy of respect, generosity and non-interference to remove this impression.
Partly – India’s size and some past actions (IPKF, Nepal blockade) create that fear; but many interventions were requested, and India has given aid, trade concessions and resolved disputes peacefully; India should be sensitive and generous to dispel the impression.
Topic checklist
- ☒ Political systems of South Asian countries (Q 1–5)
- ☒ India–Pakistan and India–Bangladesh relations (Q 6, 7)
- ☒ External powers in South Asia (Q 8)
- ☒ SAARC and regional cooperation (Q 9)
- ☒ India and its neighbours (Q 10)