NCERT Textbook - Contemporary South Asia | Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Overview Let us shift our gaze from the larger 
global developments in the post-
Cold War era to developments in 
our own region, South Asia. When 
India and Pakistan joined the club 
of nuclear powers, this region 
suddenly became the focus of global 
attention. The focus was, of course, 
on the various kinds of conflict 
in this region: there are pending 
border and water sharing disputes 
between the states of the region. 
Besides, there are conflicts arising 
out of insurgency, ethnic strife and 
resource sharing. This makes the 
region very turbulent. At the same 
time, many people in South Asia 
recognise the fact that this region 
can develop and prosper if the 
states of the region cooperate with 
each other. In this chapter, we try 
to understand the nature of conflict 
and cooperation among different 
countries of the region. Since much 
of this is rooted in or conditioned 
by the domestic politics of these 
countries, we first introduce the 
region and the domestic politics 
of some of the big countries in the 
region.
Chapter 3
Contemporary South Asia
Source: Subhas Rai’s adaptation of  ‘Liberty Leading the People’, 
painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830. Courtesy of Himal Southasian, 
(January 2007) The Southasia Trust, Nepal 
Chapter 3.indd   29 15-03-2024   12:17:38
2024-25
Page 2


Overview Let us shift our gaze from the larger 
global developments in the post-
Cold War era to developments in 
our own region, South Asia. When 
India and Pakistan joined the club 
of nuclear powers, this region 
suddenly became the focus of global 
attention. The focus was, of course, 
on the various kinds of conflict 
in this region: there are pending 
border and water sharing disputes 
between the states of the region. 
Besides, there are conflicts arising 
out of insurgency, ethnic strife and 
resource sharing. This makes the 
region very turbulent. At the same 
time, many people in South Asia 
recognise the fact that this region 
can develop and prosper if the 
states of the region cooperate with 
each other. In this chapter, we try 
to understand the nature of conflict 
and cooperation among different 
countries of the region. Since much 
of this is rooted in or conditioned 
by the domestic politics of these 
countries, we first introduce the 
region and the domestic politics 
of some of the big countries in the 
region.
Chapter 3
Contemporary South Asia
Source: Subhas Rai’s adaptation of  ‘Liberty Leading the People’, 
painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830. Courtesy of Himal Southasian, 
(January 2007) The Southasia Trust, Nepal 
Chapter 3.indd   29 15-03-2024   12:17:38
2024-25
Contemporary World Politics
30
What is s outh a sia ?
We are all familiar with the 
gripping tension during an 
India-Pakistan cricket match. 
We have also seen the goodwill 
and hospitality shown to visiting 
Indian and Pakistani fans by their 
hosts when they come to watch a 
cricket match. This is symbolic of 
the larger pattern of South Asian 
affairs. Ours is a region where 
rivalry and goodwill, hope and 
despair, mutual suspicion and 
trust coexist.
Let us begin by asking an 
elementary question: what is 
South Asia? The expression 
‘South Asia’ usually includes the 
following countries: Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, 
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 
mighty Himalayas in the north and 
the vast Indian Ocean, the Arabian 
Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the 
south, west and east respectively 
provide a natural insularity to the 
region, which is largely responsible 
for the linguistic, social and 
cultural distinctiveness of the sub-
continent. The boundaries of the 
region are not as clear in the east 
and the west, as they are in the 
north and the south. Afghanistan 
and Myanmar are often included 
in discussions of the region as 
a whole. China is an important 
player but is not considered to be a 
part of the region. In this chapter, 
we shall use South Asia to mean 
the seven countries mentioned 
above. Thus defined, South Asia 
stands for diversity in every sense 
and yet constitutes one geo-
political space. 
The various countries in South 
Asia do not have the same kind of 
political systems. Despite many 
problems and limitations, Sri 
Lanka and India have successfully 
operated a democratic system 
since their independence from 
the British. You will study more 
about the evolution of democracy 
in India in the textbook that 
deals with politics in India since 
independence. It is, of course, 
possible to point out many 
limitations of India’s democracy; 
but we have to remember the 
fact that India has remained 
a democracy throughout its 
existence as an independent 
country. The same is true of Sri 
Lanka. 
Pakistan and Bangladesh 
have experienced both 
civilian and military rulers, 
with Bangladesh remaining a 
democracy in the post-Cold War 
period. Pakistan began the post-
Cold War period with successive 
democratic governments under 
Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz 
Sharif respectively. But it 
suffered a military coup in 
1999. It has been run by a 
civilian government again since 
2008. Till 2006, Nepal was a 
constitutional monarchy with 
the danger of the king taking 
over executive powers. In 2008, 
the monarchy was abolished and 
Nepal emerged as a democratic 
republic. From the experience of 
Bangladesh and Nepal, we can 
say that democracy is becoming 
an accepted norm in the entire 
region of South Asia. 
Identify some 
features 
common to 
all the South 
Asian countries 
but different 
from countries 
in West Asia or 
Southeast Asia.
Is there a fixed 
definition of these 
regions? Who 
decides that? 
Chapter 3.indd   30 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
Page 3


Overview Let us shift our gaze from the larger 
global developments in the post-
Cold War era to developments in 
our own region, South Asia. When 
India and Pakistan joined the club 
of nuclear powers, this region 
suddenly became the focus of global 
attention. The focus was, of course, 
on the various kinds of conflict 
in this region: there are pending 
border and water sharing disputes 
between the states of the region. 
Besides, there are conflicts arising 
out of insurgency, ethnic strife and 
resource sharing. This makes the 
region very turbulent. At the same 
time, many people in South Asia 
recognise the fact that this region 
can develop and prosper if the 
states of the region cooperate with 
each other. In this chapter, we try 
to understand the nature of conflict 
and cooperation among different 
countries of the region. Since much 
of this is rooted in or conditioned 
by the domestic politics of these 
countries, we first introduce the 
region and the domestic politics 
of some of the big countries in the 
region.
Chapter 3
Contemporary South Asia
Source: Subhas Rai’s adaptation of  ‘Liberty Leading the People’, 
painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830. Courtesy of Himal Southasian, 
(January 2007) The Southasia Trust, Nepal 
Chapter 3.indd   29 15-03-2024   12:17:38
2024-25
Contemporary World Politics
30
What is s outh a sia ?
We are all familiar with the 
gripping tension during an 
India-Pakistan cricket match. 
We have also seen the goodwill 
and hospitality shown to visiting 
Indian and Pakistani fans by their 
hosts when they come to watch a 
cricket match. This is symbolic of 
the larger pattern of South Asian 
affairs. Ours is a region where 
rivalry and goodwill, hope and 
despair, mutual suspicion and 
trust coexist.
Let us begin by asking an 
elementary question: what is 
South Asia? The expression 
‘South Asia’ usually includes the 
following countries: Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, 
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 
mighty Himalayas in the north and 
the vast Indian Ocean, the Arabian 
Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the 
south, west and east respectively 
provide a natural insularity to the 
region, which is largely responsible 
for the linguistic, social and 
cultural distinctiveness of the sub-
continent. The boundaries of the 
region are not as clear in the east 
and the west, as they are in the 
north and the south. Afghanistan 
and Myanmar are often included 
in discussions of the region as 
a whole. China is an important 
player but is not considered to be a 
part of the region. In this chapter, 
we shall use South Asia to mean 
the seven countries mentioned 
above. Thus defined, South Asia 
stands for diversity in every sense 
and yet constitutes one geo-
political space. 
The various countries in South 
Asia do not have the same kind of 
political systems. Despite many 
problems and limitations, Sri 
Lanka and India have successfully 
operated a democratic system 
since their independence from 
the British. You will study more 
about the evolution of democracy 
in India in the textbook that 
deals with politics in India since 
independence. It is, of course, 
possible to point out many 
limitations of India’s democracy; 
but we have to remember the 
fact that India has remained 
a democracy throughout its 
existence as an independent 
country. The same is true of Sri 
Lanka. 
Pakistan and Bangladesh 
have experienced both 
civilian and military rulers, 
with Bangladesh remaining a 
democracy in the post-Cold War 
period. Pakistan began the post-
Cold War period with successive 
democratic governments under 
Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz 
Sharif respectively. But it 
suffered a military coup in 
1999. It has been run by a 
civilian government again since 
2008. Till 2006, Nepal was a 
constitutional monarchy with 
the danger of the king taking 
over executive powers. In 2008, 
the monarchy was abolished and 
Nepal emerged as a democratic 
republic. From the experience of 
Bangladesh and Nepal, we can 
say that democracy is becoming 
an accepted norm in the entire 
region of South Asia. 
Identify some 
features 
common to 
all the South 
Asian countries 
but different 
from countries 
in West Asia or 
Southeast Asia.
Is there a fixed 
definition of these 
regions? Who 
decides that? 
Chapter 3.indd   30 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
31
Contemporary South Asia
Similar changes are taking place in the 
two smallest countries of the region. Bhutan 
became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. 
Under the leadership of the king, it emerged 
as a multi-party democracy. The Maldives, 
the other island nation, was a Sultanate till 
1968 when it was transformed into a republic 
with a presidential form of government. In 
June 2005, the parliament of the Maldives 
voted unanimously to introduce a multi-party 
system. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) 
dominates the political affairs of the island. The 
MDP won the 2018 Elections.
Despite the mixed record of the democratic 
experience, the people in all these countries 
share the aspiration for democracy. A recent 
survey of the attitudes of the people in the 
five big countries of the region showed that 
there is widespread support for democracy 
in all these countries. Ordinary citizens, rich 
as well as poor and belonging to different 
religions, view the idea of democracy positively 
and support the institutions of representative 
democracy. They prefer democracy over any 
other form of government and think that 
democracy is suitable for their country. These are  
significant findings, for it was earlier believed 
that democracy could flourish and find  
support only in prosperous countries of the world. 
Both these graphs are based on interviews with more 
than 19,000 ordinary citizens in the five countries of 
South Asia. Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy 
in South Asia, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007
Countries
SDG 3 
Life expectancy 
at birth (years) 
2017
SDG 4.6
Adult literacy 
rate (% ages 
15 and older) 
2006-2016
SDG 4.1 
Gross 
enrolment ratio 
(Secondary) 
2012-2017
SDG 8.1 
GDP per  
capita (2011 
PPP $) 
2017
SDG 3.2 
Infant mortality 
rate (per 1,000 
live births)  
2016
SDG 3.3 
TB cases  
(per 100,000 
people)  
2016
SDG 1.1 
Population living below 
income poverty line (%)  
PPP $1.90 a day 
2006-2016
HDI 
Rank
World 72.2 82.1 79 15,439 29.9 140.0 – –
Developing  70.7 81.1 75 10,199 32.7 164.5 – – 
countries
South Asia 69.3 68.7 71 6,485 37.8 206.3 – –
Bangladesh 72.8 72.8 69 3,524 28.2 221.0 14.8 136
India 68.8 69.3 75 6,427 34.6 211.0 21.2 130
Nepal 70.6 59.6 71 2,433 28.4 154.0 15.0 149
Pakistan 66.6 57.0 46 5,035 64.2 268.0 6.1 150
Sri Lanka 75.5 91.2 98 11,669 8.0 65.0 – 76
Source:  United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report, 2018
Chapter 3.indd   31 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
Page 4


Overview Let us shift our gaze from the larger 
global developments in the post-
Cold War era to developments in 
our own region, South Asia. When 
India and Pakistan joined the club 
of nuclear powers, this region 
suddenly became the focus of global 
attention. The focus was, of course, 
on the various kinds of conflict 
in this region: there are pending 
border and water sharing disputes 
between the states of the region. 
Besides, there are conflicts arising 
out of insurgency, ethnic strife and 
resource sharing. This makes the 
region very turbulent. At the same 
time, many people in South Asia 
recognise the fact that this region 
can develop and prosper if the 
states of the region cooperate with 
each other. In this chapter, we try 
to understand the nature of conflict 
and cooperation among different 
countries of the region. Since much 
of this is rooted in or conditioned 
by the domestic politics of these 
countries, we first introduce the 
region and the domestic politics 
of some of the big countries in the 
region.
Chapter 3
Contemporary South Asia
Source: Subhas Rai’s adaptation of  ‘Liberty Leading the People’, 
painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830. Courtesy of Himal Southasian, 
(January 2007) The Southasia Trust, Nepal 
Chapter 3.indd   29 15-03-2024   12:17:38
2024-25
Contemporary World Politics
30
What is s outh a sia ?
We are all familiar with the 
gripping tension during an 
India-Pakistan cricket match. 
We have also seen the goodwill 
and hospitality shown to visiting 
Indian and Pakistani fans by their 
hosts when they come to watch a 
cricket match. This is symbolic of 
the larger pattern of South Asian 
affairs. Ours is a region where 
rivalry and goodwill, hope and 
despair, mutual suspicion and 
trust coexist.
Let us begin by asking an 
elementary question: what is 
South Asia? The expression 
‘South Asia’ usually includes the 
following countries: Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, 
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 
mighty Himalayas in the north and 
the vast Indian Ocean, the Arabian 
Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the 
south, west and east respectively 
provide a natural insularity to the 
region, which is largely responsible 
for the linguistic, social and 
cultural distinctiveness of the sub-
continent. The boundaries of the 
region are not as clear in the east 
and the west, as they are in the 
north and the south. Afghanistan 
and Myanmar are often included 
in discussions of the region as 
a whole. China is an important 
player but is not considered to be a 
part of the region. In this chapter, 
we shall use South Asia to mean 
the seven countries mentioned 
above. Thus defined, South Asia 
stands for diversity in every sense 
and yet constitutes one geo-
political space. 
The various countries in South 
Asia do not have the same kind of 
political systems. Despite many 
problems and limitations, Sri 
Lanka and India have successfully 
operated a democratic system 
since their independence from 
the British. You will study more 
about the evolution of democracy 
in India in the textbook that 
deals with politics in India since 
independence. It is, of course, 
possible to point out many 
limitations of India’s democracy; 
but we have to remember the 
fact that India has remained 
a democracy throughout its 
existence as an independent 
country. The same is true of Sri 
Lanka. 
Pakistan and Bangladesh 
have experienced both 
civilian and military rulers, 
with Bangladesh remaining a 
democracy in the post-Cold War 
period. Pakistan began the post-
Cold War period with successive 
democratic governments under 
Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz 
Sharif respectively. But it 
suffered a military coup in 
1999. It has been run by a 
civilian government again since 
2008. Till 2006, Nepal was a 
constitutional monarchy with 
the danger of the king taking 
over executive powers. In 2008, 
the monarchy was abolished and 
Nepal emerged as a democratic 
republic. From the experience of 
Bangladesh and Nepal, we can 
say that democracy is becoming 
an accepted norm in the entire 
region of South Asia. 
Identify some 
features 
common to 
all the South 
Asian countries 
but different 
from countries 
in West Asia or 
Southeast Asia.
Is there a fixed 
definition of these 
regions? Who 
decides that? 
Chapter 3.indd   30 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
31
Contemporary South Asia
Similar changes are taking place in the 
two smallest countries of the region. Bhutan 
became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. 
Under the leadership of the king, it emerged 
as a multi-party democracy. The Maldives, 
the other island nation, was a Sultanate till 
1968 when it was transformed into a republic 
with a presidential form of government. In 
June 2005, the parliament of the Maldives 
voted unanimously to introduce a multi-party 
system. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) 
dominates the political affairs of the island. The 
MDP won the 2018 Elections.
Despite the mixed record of the democratic 
experience, the people in all these countries 
share the aspiration for democracy. A recent 
survey of the attitudes of the people in the 
five big countries of the region showed that 
there is widespread support for democracy 
in all these countries. Ordinary citizens, rich 
as well as poor and belonging to different 
religions, view the idea of democracy positively 
and support the institutions of representative 
democracy. They prefer democracy over any 
other form of government and think that 
democracy is suitable for their country. These are  
significant findings, for it was earlier believed 
that democracy could flourish and find  
support only in prosperous countries of the world. 
Both these graphs are based on interviews with more 
than 19,000 ordinary citizens in the five countries of 
South Asia. Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy 
in South Asia, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007
Countries
SDG 3 
Life expectancy 
at birth (years) 
2017
SDG 4.6
Adult literacy 
rate (% ages 
15 and older) 
2006-2016
SDG 4.1 
Gross 
enrolment ratio 
(Secondary) 
2012-2017
SDG 8.1 
GDP per  
capita (2011 
PPP $) 
2017
SDG 3.2 
Infant mortality 
rate (per 1,000 
live births)  
2016
SDG 3.3 
TB cases  
(per 100,000 
people)  
2016
SDG 1.1 
Population living below 
income poverty line (%)  
PPP $1.90 a day 
2006-2016
HDI 
Rank
World 72.2 82.1 79 15,439 29.9 140.0 – –
Developing  70.7 81.1 75 10,199 32.7 164.5 – – 
countries
South Asia 69.3 68.7 71 6,485 37.8 206.3 – –
Bangladesh 72.8 72.8 69 3,524 28.2 221.0 14.8 136
India 68.8 69.3 75 6,427 34.6 211.0 21.2 130
Nepal 70.6 59.6 71 2,433 28.4 154.0 15.0 149
Pakistan 66.6 57.0 46 5,035 64.2 268.0 6.1 150
Sri Lanka 75.5 91.2 98 11,669 8.0 65.0 – 76
Source:  United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report, 2018
Chapter 3.indd   31 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
Contemporary World Politics
32
In that sense the South Asian 
experience of democracy has 
expanded the global imagination 
of democracy.
Let us look at the experience 
of democracy in each of the four 
big countries of the region other 
than India.   
t he Military and 
d e Mocracy in Pakistan After Pakistan framed its first 
constitution, General Ayub Khan 
took over the administration 
of the country and soon got 
himself elected. He had to give 
up office when there was popular 
dissatisfaction against his rule. 
This gave way to a military 
takeover once again under General 
Yahya Khan. During Yahya’s 
military rule, Pakistan faced the 
Bangladesh crisis, and after a 
war with India in 1971, East 
Pakistan broke away to emerge 
as an independent country called 
Bangladesh. After this, an elected 
government under the leadership 
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came to 
power in Pakistan from 1971 to 
1977. The Bhutto government 
was removed by General Zia-
ul-Haq in 1977. General Zia 
faced a pro-democracy movement 
from 1982 onwards and an 
elected democratic government 
was established once again in 
1988 under the leadership of 
Benazir Bhutto. In the period 
that followed, Pakistani politics 
centred around the competition 
between her party, the Pakistan 
People’s Party, and the Muslim  
TIMELINE OF SOUTH ASIA 
SINCE 1947
1947: India and Pakistan emerge as independent nations 
after the end of British rule
1948: Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gains independence; Indo-Pak 
conflict over Kashmir
1954-55: Pakistan joins the Cold War military blocs, SEATO 
and CENTO
1960: India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty
1962: Border conflict between India and China
1965: Indo-Pak War; UN India-Pakistan Observation Mission 
1966: India and Pakistan sign the Tashkent Agreement;
Six-point proposal of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman for greater 
autonomy to East Pakistan
1971 March: Proclamation of Independence by leaders of 
Bangladesh
August : Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship signed for 20 years
December : Indo-Pak War, Liberation of Bangladesh 
1972 July: India and Pakistan sign the Simla Agreement
1974 May: India conducts nuclear test
1976: Pakistan and Bangladesh establish diplomatic ties
1985 December: South Asian leaders sign the SAARC Charter 
at the first summit in Dhaka
1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord; Indian Peace Keeping Force 
(IPKF) operation in Sri Lanka (1987-90)
1988: India sends troops to the Maldives to foil a coup 
attempt by mercenaries
India and Pakistan sign the agreement not to attack nuclear 
installations and facilities of each other 
1988-91:  Democracy restoration in Pakistan, Bangladesh 
and Nepal
1996 December: India and Bangladesh sign the Farakka 
Treaty for sharing of the Ganga Waters 
1998 May: India and Pakistan conduct nuclear tests
December: India and Sri Lanka sign the Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA)
1999 February: Indian PM Vajpayee undertakes bus journey 
to Lahore to sign a Peace Declaration
June-July: Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan
2001 July: Vajpayee - Musharraf Agra Summit unsuccessful
2004 January: SAFTA signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in 
Islamabad
2007: Afghanistan joins SAARC
2014 November: The 18
th
 SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, 
Nepal
Chapter 3.indd   32 15-03-2024   12:17:40
2024-25
Page 5


Overview Let us shift our gaze from the larger 
global developments in the post-
Cold War era to developments in 
our own region, South Asia. When 
India and Pakistan joined the club 
of nuclear powers, this region 
suddenly became the focus of global 
attention. The focus was, of course, 
on the various kinds of conflict 
in this region: there are pending 
border and water sharing disputes 
between the states of the region. 
Besides, there are conflicts arising 
out of insurgency, ethnic strife and 
resource sharing. This makes the 
region very turbulent. At the same 
time, many people in South Asia 
recognise the fact that this region 
can develop and prosper if the 
states of the region cooperate with 
each other. In this chapter, we try 
to understand the nature of conflict 
and cooperation among different 
countries of the region. Since much 
of this is rooted in or conditioned 
by the domestic politics of these 
countries, we first introduce the 
region and the domestic politics 
of some of the big countries in the 
region.
Chapter 3
Contemporary South Asia
Source: Subhas Rai’s adaptation of  ‘Liberty Leading the People’, 
painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830. Courtesy of Himal Southasian, 
(January 2007) The Southasia Trust, Nepal 
Chapter 3.indd   29 15-03-2024   12:17:38
2024-25
Contemporary World Politics
30
What is s outh a sia ?
We are all familiar with the 
gripping tension during an 
India-Pakistan cricket match. 
We have also seen the goodwill 
and hospitality shown to visiting 
Indian and Pakistani fans by their 
hosts when they come to watch a 
cricket match. This is symbolic of 
the larger pattern of South Asian 
affairs. Ours is a region where 
rivalry and goodwill, hope and 
despair, mutual suspicion and 
trust coexist.
Let us begin by asking an 
elementary question: what is 
South Asia? The expression 
‘South Asia’ usually includes the 
following countries: Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, 
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 
mighty Himalayas in the north and 
the vast Indian Ocean, the Arabian 
Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the 
south, west and east respectively 
provide a natural insularity to the 
region, which is largely responsible 
for the linguistic, social and 
cultural distinctiveness of the sub-
continent. The boundaries of the 
region are not as clear in the east 
and the west, as they are in the 
north and the south. Afghanistan 
and Myanmar are often included 
in discussions of the region as 
a whole. China is an important 
player but is not considered to be a 
part of the region. In this chapter, 
we shall use South Asia to mean 
the seven countries mentioned 
above. Thus defined, South Asia 
stands for diversity in every sense 
and yet constitutes one geo-
political space. 
The various countries in South 
Asia do not have the same kind of 
political systems. Despite many 
problems and limitations, Sri 
Lanka and India have successfully 
operated a democratic system 
since their independence from 
the British. You will study more 
about the evolution of democracy 
in India in the textbook that 
deals with politics in India since 
independence. It is, of course, 
possible to point out many 
limitations of India’s democracy; 
but we have to remember the 
fact that India has remained 
a democracy throughout its 
existence as an independent 
country. The same is true of Sri 
Lanka. 
Pakistan and Bangladesh 
have experienced both 
civilian and military rulers, 
with Bangladesh remaining a 
democracy in the post-Cold War 
period. Pakistan began the post-
Cold War period with successive 
democratic governments under 
Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz 
Sharif respectively. But it 
suffered a military coup in 
1999. It has been run by a 
civilian government again since 
2008. Till 2006, Nepal was a 
constitutional monarchy with 
the danger of the king taking 
over executive powers. In 2008, 
the monarchy was abolished and 
Nepal emerged as a democratic 
republic. From the experience of 
Bangladesh and Nepal, we can 
say that democracy is becoming 
an accepted norm in the entire 
region of South Asia. 
Identify some 
features 
common to 
all the South 
Asian countries 
but different 
from countries 
in West Asia or 
Southeast Asia.
Is there a fixed 
definition of these 
regions? Who 
decides that? 
Chapter 3.indd   30 15-03-2024   12:17:39
2024-25
31
Contemporary South Asia
Similar changes are taking place in the 
two smallest countries of the region. Bhutan 
became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. 
Under the leadership of the king, it emerged 
as a multi-party democracy. The Maldives, 
the other island nation, was a Sultanate till 
1968 when it was transformed into a republic 
with a presidential form of government. In 
June 2005, the parliament of the Maldives 
voted unanimously to introduce a multi-party 
system. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) 
dominates the political affairs of the island. The 
MDP won the 2018 Elections.
Despite the mixed record of the democratic 
experience, the people in all these countries 
share the aspiration for democracy. A recent 
survey of the attitudes of the people in the 
five big countries of the region showed that 
there is widespread support for democracy 
in all these countries. Ordinary citizens, rich 
as well as poor and belonging to different 
religions, view the idea of democracy positively 
and support the institutions of representative 
democracy. They prefer democracy over any 
other form of government and think that 
democracy is suitable for their country. These are  
significant findings, for it was earlier believed 
that democracy could flourish and find  
support only in prosperous countries of the world. 
Both these graphs are based on interviews with more 
than 19,000 ordinary citizens in the five countries of 
South Asia. Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy 
in South Asia, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007
Countries
SDG 3 
Life expectancy 
at birth (years) 
2017
SDG 4.6
Adult literacy 
rate (% ages 
15 and older) 
2006-2016
SDG 4.1 
Gross 
enrolment ratio 
(Secondary) 
2012-2017
SDG 8.1 
GDP per  
capita (2011 
PPP $) 
2017
SDG 3.2 
Infant mortality 
rate (per 1,000 
live births)  
2016
SDG 3.3 
TB cases  
(per 100,000 
people)  
2016
SDG 1.1 
Population living below 
income poverty line (%)  
PPP $1.90 a day 
2006-2016
HDI 
Rank
World 72.2 82.1 79 15,439 29.9 140.0 – –
Developing  70.7 81.1 75 10,199 32.7 164.5 – – 
countries
South Asia 69.3 68.7 71 6,485 37.8 206.3 – –
Bangladesh 72.8 72.8 69 3,524 28.2 221.0 14.8 136
India 68.8 69.3 75 6,427 34.6 211.0 21.2 130
Nepal 70.6 59.6 71 2,433 28.4 154.0 15.0 149
Pakistan 66.6 57.0 46 5,035 64.2 268.0 6.1 150
Sri Lanka 75.5 91.2 98 11,669 8.0 65.0 – 76
Source:  United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report, 2018
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Contemporary World Politics
32
In that sense the South Asian 
experience of democracy has 
expanded the global imagination 
of democracy.
Let us look at the experience 
of democracy in each of the four 
big countries of the region other 
than India.   
t he Military and 
d e Mocracy in Pakistan After Pakistan framed its first 
constitution, General Ayub Khan 
took over the administration 
of the country and soon got 
himself elected. He had to give 
up office when there was popular 
dissatisfaction against his rule. 
This gave way to a military 
takeover once again under General 
Yahya Khan. During Yahya’s 
military rule, Pakistan faced the 
Bangladesh crisis, and after a 
war with India in 1971, East 
Pakistan broke away to emerge 
as an independent country called 
Bangladesh. After this, an elected 
government under the leadership 
of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came to 
power in Pakistan from 1971 to 
1977. The Bhutto government 
was removed by General Zia-
ul-Haq in 1977. General Zia 
faced a pro-democracy movement 
from 1982 onwards and an 
elected democratic government 
was established once again in 
1988 under the leadership of 
Benazir Bhutto. In the period 
that followed, Pakistani politics 
centred around the competition 
between her party, the Pakistan 
People’s Party, and the Muslim  
TIMELINE OF SOUTH ASIA 
SINCE 1947
1947: India and Pakistan emerge as independent nations 
after the end of British rule
1948: Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gains independence; Indo-Pak 
conflict over Kashmir
1954-55: Pakistan joins the Cold War military blocs, SEATO 
and CENTO
1960: India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty
1962: Border conflict between India and China
1965: Indo-Pak War; UN India-Pakistan Observation Mission 
1966: India and Pakistan sign the Tashkent Agreement;
Six-point proposal of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman for greater 
autonomy to East Pakistan
1971 March: Proclamation of Independence by leaders of 
Bangladesh
August : Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship signed for 20 years
December : Indo-Pak War, Liberation of Bangladesh 
1972 July: India and Pakistan sign the Simla Agreement
1974 May: India conducts nuclear test
1976: Pakistan and Bangladesh establish diplomatic ties
1985 December: South Asian leaders sign the SAARC Charter 
at the first summit in Dhaka
1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord; Indian Peace Keeping Force 
(IPKF) operation in Sri Lanka (1987-90)
1988: India sends troops to the Maldives to foil a coup 
attempt by mercenaries
India and Pakistan sign the agreement not to attack nuclear 
installations and facilities of each other 
1988-91:  Democracy restoration in Pakistan, Bangladesh 
and Nepal
1996 December: India and Bangladesh sign the Farakka 
Treaty for sharing of the Ganga Waters 
1998 May: India and Pakistan conduct nuclear tests
December: India and Sri Lanka sign the Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA)
1999 February: Indian PM Vajpayee undertakes bus journey 
to Lahore to sign a Peace Declaration
June-July: Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan
2001 July: Vajpayee - Musharraf Agra Summit unsuccessful
2004 January: SAFTA signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in 
Islamabad
2007: Afghanistan joins SAARC
2014 November: The 18
th
 SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, 
Nepal
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33
Contemporary South Asia
League. This phase of elective 
democracy lasted till 1999 
when the army stepped in again 
and General Pervez Musharraf 
removed Prime Minister Nawaz 
Sharif. In 2001, General 
Musharraf got himself elected as 
the President. Pakistan continued 
to be ruled by the army, though 
the army rulers have held some 
elections to give their rule a 
democratic image. Since 2008, 
democratically elected leaders 
have been ruling Pakistan.
Several factors have 
contributed to Pakistan’s failure 
in building a stable democracy. 
The social dominance of the 
military, clergy, and landowning 
aristocracy has led to the frequent 
overthrow of elected governments 
and the establishment of military 
government. Pakistan’s conflict 
with India has made the pro-
military groups more powerful. 
These groups have often said that 
political parties and democracy 
in Pakistan are flawed, that 
Pakistan’s security would be 
harmed by selfish-minded parties 
and chaotic democracy, and 
that the ar my’s stay in power                         
is, therefore, justified. While 
democracy has not been fully 
successful in Pakistan, there 
has been a strong pro-democracy 
sentiment in the country. Pakistan 
has a courageous and relatively 
free press and a strong human 
rights movement. 
The lack of genuine 
international support for 
democratic rule in Pakistan has 
further encouraged the military 
to continue its dominance. The 
United States and other Western 
countries have encouraged the 
military’s authoritarian rule in the 
past, for their own reasons. Given 
their fear of the threat of what they 
call ‘global Islamic terrorism’ and 
the apprehension that Pakistan’s 
nuclear arsenal might fall into the 
hands of these terrorist groups, 
the military regime in Pakistan 
has been seen as the protector 
of Western interests in West Asia 
and South Asia.
d e Mocracy in Bangladesh Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan 
from 1947 to 1971. It consisted 
of the partitioned areas of Bengal 
and Assam from British India. The 
people of this region resented the 
domination of western Pakistan 
and the imposition of the Urdu 
language.  Soon after the partition,  
This cartoon comments on the dual role of Pakistan’s ruler Pervez 
Musharraf as the President of the country and as the army General. 
Read the equations carefully and write down the message of this 
cartoon.
If Germany can be 
reunited, why can’t 
the people of India 
and Pakistan at least 
travel more easily 
to each other’s 
country?
Surendra, The Hindu
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