Q1: 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 multiparty competition.
(c) The first country to liberalise the 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 Sultans as the head of state. Now, it is a republic.
(g) Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty.
(h) A landlocked country with a monarchy.
Ans:
(a) Nepal
(b) Bhutan
(c) India
(d) Pakistan
(e) India
(f) Maldives
(g) India
(h) Nepal
Q2: 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 South Asian politics.
(d) The US and China play an influential role in South Asian politics.
Ans: (a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic.
Q3: What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?
Ans: Bangladesh has been the part of Pakistan itself. Both of these countries bear some similarities and differences as follows:
Commonalities
Differences
Q4: List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.
Ans: The three challenges to democracy in Nepal were the result of a triangular conflict between:
These challenges created massive, countrywide, pro-democracy protest in April 2006
Q5: Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?
Ans: The principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka were Sinhala and Sri Lankan Tamils.
After its independence, politics in Sri Lanka was dominated by the interests of Sinhala community who was hostile to Tamils, who migrated from India to be settled there. Sinhalese presumed Sri Lanka to be belonged to them only, hence no concession should be given to Tamils. This created militant Tamil nationalism i. e. ‘Ethnic conflict’.
Despite the revenges of internal conflict Sri Lanka has maintained democratic political system and registered considerable economic growth and high level of human development.
Q6: Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well in their way to a friendly relationship?
Ans: Although Indo-Pakistan relations seem to be the story of endemic conflict and violence, there have been a series of efforts to manage tensions and build peace under the various agreements:
Q7: Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
Ans:
Disagreement
Cooperation
Q8: How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.
Ans: The external powers influence bilateral relations in South Asia because no region exists in the vacuum. It is influenced by outside powers and events no matter how much it may try to insulate itself from non-regional powers:
Q9: Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian Countries.
Ans: Role of SAARC: Role of SAARC can be identified as follows:
Limitations:
SAARC is growing slowly due to political differences among its member states:
Q10: 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?
Ans: No, the impression is not correct because India makes efforts to manage its neighbours beyond its size and powers which can be justified on following grounds:
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