How Important Is South Asia to Security in the Broader Asia-Pacific Region - Assignment Example

How important is South Asia to security in the broader Asia-Pacific region? What does this tell us about the nature in the Asia-Pacific region? The word security refers to assurance of peace, stability, sustainability and certainty in a particular region, area or country from either outside or inside forces or both. Indeed, the security of a particular nation is threatened when its neighboring countries try to pressurize by the use of hard or soft power. Similarly, the security in a region is at stake when severe military and diplomatic tensions and issues exist between or among two or more countries. Hence, it is responsibility of international community and United Nations to ensure smooth relations between conflicting parties, thereby minimizing the probability of military war and armed conflicts. This paper will throw light over the importance of South Asia in Asia-Pacific region and its impact on security issues within Asia-Pacific. It is worthwhile to mention that Asia-Pacific is a broader region that includes ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) and other nations. The major countries in Asia-Pacific are China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, North Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan. South Asia, which comprises of ten nations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan etc., is also sometimes considered to be a part of Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, the importance of South Asia could not be denied because of its geographical location and historical perspectives. Without any doubt, the Mughals (ancient Muslim kings) ruled sub-continent (historically Hindustan) for around 800 years after which British joined the arena and ruled for over 140 years, before its split in 1947. (Medeiros, 2005) However, the independence movement and struggle for freedom by Muslims in 19th century against British rule finally resulted in a split of region and two new regions namely Pakistan (East and West) and India came into existence on August 14 and 15, 1947. It should be highlighted that sub-continent hosted the largest majority of Muslims and Hindus across the world. Nevertheless, after sub-continent’s division, Muslims successfully received their independent territory named Pakistan (having 4 Muslim majority provinces), while Hindus were awarded a Hindu majority named India. For instance, Pakistani Muslims believed that an injustice had been done with them at the time of partition when British Viceroy discriminated and awarded some Muslim majority areas such as Kashmir, Feroz Pur, Gurdas Pur, Jonagarh etc. to India. In addition, India have never accepted this so-called partition whole-heartedly as well as declined Pakistan’s request to conduct a referendum across Kashmir to let these Muslims decide their fate. In addition, Pakistan also did not receive its due share of financial and military assets because of biased and discriminatory attitude from British Viceroys. Hence, the tensions and coldness between two nations were reinforced from their very existence. (Kapur, 2008) It should be emphasized that South Asia hosts world’s two most populist countries such as India (also an ASEAN member and have population of 1.3 billion) and its neighboring Pakistan (with population of over 180 million) in 2010. Indeed, both above mentioned countries are Nuclear Powers and still governments of both developing nations have certain conflicts that will be discussed in detail in following sections to elaborate over South Asia’s importance regarding security concerns in entire Asia-Pacific region. It should be pointed out that India has never sincerely accepted Pakistan’s existence on the map of earth and thus imposed a war in 1948 to completely conquer Kashmir’s territory. However, its forces faced stiff resistance and retaliation from Pakistan’s military forces, armed Jihadi elements and Kashmiris thereby resulting in an all-out defeat of India and successful gain of Independent Kashmir, which is now an autonomous territory of Pakistan. However, India still enjoyed an absolute control over Occupied Kashmir. In addition, India again imposed the war in 1965 against Pakistan without any prior notice and after violation of International law. The defeat once again came under India’s account and both rival countries were forced to mediate under Russia’s supervision that in turn led to Shimla Accord in 1966. Both nations indulged into another war of 1971 that finally resulted in a separation of East Pakistan which then became independent Bangladesh. Since then, the tensions between two adversaries intensified and India opted out to attain Nuclear Technology. Finally, India became a Nuclear Power in 1975 after atomic explosion at Pokhran, which was condemned by international community. It should not be forgotten that India also a neighbouring country of communist China, which is world’s largest country in terms of population with around 1.35 billion residents, world’s second largest economy after USA, an ASEAN member, a nuclear power as well as a permanent member of UN Security Council. India and China are also viewed as rival nations because of certain disputes over ‘Tibet’ that also triggered war between two in 1962. Hence, not only India shares identity and border disputes with Pakistan but also with China and Bangladesh. Indeed, India opted to become nuclear state as it perceived threat from China and thus considered it as mandatory for its security. Similarly, Pakistan perceived threat from nuclear India because it has explicit river water, territorial (Kashmir, Siachen and Kargill) and eastern border disputes thereby compelling its government to opt for nuclear technology. Pakistan also became an official atomic power in 1998 when it responded to India’s second attempt towards nuclear explosions. (Kapur, 2008) and (Medeiros, 2005) In summarizing the above, it has now become quite evident that there are severe conflicts between conflicting India and Pakistan / Bangladesh as well as India and China that in future may lead to military ventures between any of the two above mentioned countries. It should also be noted that Pakistan and China have become strategic allies thereby strengthening their economic, military, political, cultural and social relationships, which could be called as “Enemy’s enemy is a Friend” behavior. In order to cope with this ever strengthening behavior between India’s two rival countries, the Indian policy makers revised their policy and focused on building smooth / cordial relationships and an alliance with leading world powers such as USA, UK, Russia and Israel to ensure greater military, economic, diplomatic and moral support. At present, both India and China has been focusing on economic expansion and thus introduced new reforms and opened their borders for foreign multinational companies and business investors. As a result, both economies observed phenomenal economic growth in past 10 years, which enhanced their credibility among international developed nations. China, recently, surpassed Japan and became world’s second largest economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product while India also has now been in top 10 nations. However, both economies are regarded as fastest Emerging nations. Indeed, Pakistan also has become a fast growing country after attracting Foreign Direct Investment and subsequent increase in Per capita income. Nevertheless, the fact that bothers most is that China enjoys world largest military force known as People’s Liberation Army of around 2.2 million soldiers. In addition, it has been spending heavily to induct modernized and technologically advance domestically produced traditional weapons besides Weapons of Mass Destruction in its military arsenal. India, on the other hand, plays the role of follower thereby maximizing its strength through induction of sophisticated weapons in its arsenal acquired from Russia, UK, Israel, France, Germany and USA. This entire exercise is being done in the name of National Security after assessment of threats from China. Nonetheless, Pakistan also joins the arena and opts out to acquire modernized weapons from USA, France, Ukraine, Sweden, and China for what it call ‘minimum deterrence’ and ‘balance of power’ in South Asian region. Indeed, this is the threat perception that emerged on world’s stage after rise of China that stimulates new weapon purchase agreements by South Asia and South East Asian conflicting members. China, in fact, is moving stealthily and overtly towards its aim to rule world economically and militarily that, in turn, is perceived as threat by rival nations thereby forcing them to spend heavily on military troops and traditional weapons. (Kapur, 2008) and (Cossa et al, 2009) Above all, China itself has been involved with other Asian Pacific nation, more specifically, Taiwan that aims to accomplish its goal of 100% self-governance and autonomy. Indeed, Taiwan is among those nations that enjoys moral, ethical, military, economic and political endorsement of America and international community for its legitimate aim. China, however, openly resists this support to Taiwan and threatens its government authorities about brutal military attack and relentless action if it does not give up its goal of autonomy, independence and liberty to make its own decisions and implementation of foreign policy. (Medeiros, 2005) It should be highlighted that Afghanistan is also a part of South Asia where US army along with coalition forces has been involved in military combats and operation against extremist Taliban (who claim themselves to be real Islamists) movement and other Jihadi elements. For instance, it should be pointed out that Taliban, under supervision, mentoring and guidance of their supreme leader Omar and Osama Bin Laden, are supposed to be a threat for regional stability because they are strictly against any secular, liberal and modern groups. Indeed, they have defined their own regulations that are implemented by coerce, while Afghans are compelled to abide by those predefined rules and regulations. Pakistan, indeed, has played a tremendous role in crushing such militants and has now a non-NATO member in war against terrorism. Nonetheless, coalition forces are facing stiff resistance from Taliban militants who also support religious and military movements in Pakistan, Iraq, Syria and Iran in addition to Afghanistan. This has forced USA and its allies to negotiate with Taliban Jihadi groups and to find a permanent solution that would help in hampering this retaliation by such groups. (Cossa et al, 2009) Other than that, there is immediate need to ensure that religious political parties and movements in Pakistan will not get sufficient mandate that, in turn, prevent them in having considerable power in Federal Cabinet. The reason behind it is the fact that these religious parties may sell or supply weapons of mass destruction (atomic) to militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan that are against US presence in Afghanistan and are penchant to throw coalition forces out of Afghan border. In addition, the movements also openly condemn India because of its illegal acquisition of Kashmir as well as have an inclination to initiate military venture to let Kashmiris join Pakistan. For instance, they do not really believe that UN resolutions and international pressure tactics on India will bring satisfactory results because, indeed, UN has failed to resolve Kashmir issue since last 63 years (1947 to date) due to unfavorable attitude of successive Indian governments. (Cossa et al, 2009) Another grave issue that relates with security of Asia-Pacific region is explicit and implicit support of North Korea and Iran by Russia and China. It is worthwhile to point out that Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has grave conflicts with South Korea, which is an ally of USA and hosts American military troops. It is now a proven fact that North Korea has inclination to obtain nuclear and missile technology so that it could use it against rival South Korean and American nations. Indeed, both North Korea and China were accused of selling missile technology to Pakistan; while in return, Pakistan was supposed to clandestinely provide assistance in DPRK’s nuclear program. Indeed, China has an agenda wants to prepare Pakistan so that it could stand against India. Similarly, Russia and China together have been supporting DPRK to outlaw Americans from South Korea (SK) as well to sabotage SK’s economy. In addition, Russia and China are also indulged in endorsing Iran, which also retaliates against USA’s presence in Middle East as well as of Israel’s forces in Palestine and Lebanon. (Cossa et al, 2009) Summary Analysis: Having provided the above mentioned facts and realities about Asia-Pacific and South Asian region, the author will now provide a summary analysis of how international community could ensure security across Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, it should be pointed out that United Nations and USA together have to resolve Kashmir issue through result-oriented negotiations because it is a bone of contention between India and Pakistan as these rival countries have already fought 4 gruesome wars on this grave problem. For instance, China may also support Pakistan against India if both entered another grisly venture on this issue. Secondly, there is dire need to resolve water dispute between two nations that arise from internal and external rivers in both nations. It has come to author’s knowledge that India has been constructing new dams on rivers to block Pakistan’s legitimate water right. Nevertheless, an agricultural economy like Pakistan will not accept this intrusion and may indulge in war for sake of its economy. In short, the solution of aforementioned disputes may ensure a permanent peace in South Asian region. Next, there is immediate need to resolve India – China dispute Tibet so that both ASEAN members will not think about use of hard power against each other. In addition, a permanent solution for China – Taiwan have to be proposed and implemented as both are key nations in entire Asia-Pacific region. Above all, International community has to use diplomatic channels to let China and Russia withdraw from any covert or overt adherence to Iran and North Korea so that these nations would give up their aim for Atomic Power thereby alleviating Asia-Pacific region from arms race and vertical nuclear proliferation. Finally, there is immediate need to ensure peace in Afghanistan and to crush militant forces that want to destabilize Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Supporters of militants and terrorist groups in neighboring Pakistan and Iran have to be dealt with iron hands, which in turn, would assist in improving security concerns in entire Asia-Pacific region. References: Cossa, Ralph, Brad Glosserman, Michael McDevitt, Nirav Patel, James Przystup and Brad Roberts (2009) “The United States and the Asia-Pacific Region: Security Strategy for the Obama Administration” Center for New American Security Available at http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA498204&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf Ball, Desmond (1999) “Multilateral security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region: prospects and possibilities” Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies Available at http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/4410/RSIS-WORKPAPER_2.pdf?sequence=1 Kapur, Paul (2008) “Ten Years of Instability in a Nuclear South Asia” International Security, Vol. 33, No. 2,, pp. 71–94 Taylor, Ian (2001) “Multilateralism, Neo-liberalism and Security in Asia: The Role of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies Available at http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/4418/RSIS-WORKPAPER_27.pdf?sequence=1 Medeiros, Evan (2005) “Strategic Hedging and the Future of Asia-Pacific Stability” The Washington Quarterly, 29:1, pp. 145–167 Available at http://www.twq.com/06winter/docs/06winter_medeiros.pdf Grumbine, Edward (2007) “China’s Emergence and the Prospects for Global Sustainability” Bio Science Vol. 57 No. 3 pp. 249-255 Available at http://www.nature.org/wherewework/greatrivers/files/grumbine_china_bioscience.pdf Acharya, Amitav (2003) “Seeking Security in the Dragon’s Shadow: China and South East Asia in the Emerging Asian Disorder” Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies Available at https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/4446/RSIS-WORKPAPER_52.pdf?sequence=1 Read More