Search results for ""Author Shekher Adhikari""

South Asia presents a picture of marked contrast in all fields-politically, economically, and military. Politically, the entire South-Asia region, with the exception of India, has witnessed convulsive politics in the last fifty years. Democratic political institutions if they had been allowed to mature could have contributed to building up of regional trust and confidence. Unfortunately, democracy has been an exception amongst South-Asian states rather than the rule. South Asia, in terms of economic development and regional economic cooperation, offers very attractive prospects due to the richness of natural and energy resources within the region and the potential for cheap hydroelectric power. Military, South Asia is a conflict prone region where the two largest countries fought four wars. This conflictual environment has largely affected the financial resources which could have gone for economic and social development. New military dangers grew in 1998 with the nuclear weaponizations of South Asia. Thus, the possibility of future conflict has become a cause of great concern which affects not only regional actors but also international actors. South Asia, therefore, present a picture of a troublesome environment so far military, political, economic, and social issues are concerned. Thus, conflict resolution in South Asia is a pre-requisite for establishing any meaningful regional co-operation and the ultimate emergence of South Asian Economic Community akin to the European Economic Community. South Asia, however, continue to be a prisoner of the past in political and military terms. The thrust of the book is on South Asia: Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Threats. It has been divided into two sections: (1) traditional security threats; and (2) non-traditional security threats. The book contains various articles contributed by distinguished scholars in their own respective areas.

Read more less

Through ages, nation's survival is the most important aspect of security. The pertinent question is how nation manages the different elements of security rationally. Otherwise, if not managed properly it might lead to war. War is deeply related to human, social, political, economic, military aspects of nations survival. In other words, it encompasses internal and international security. Today, after the second world war major powers (nuclear powers) have avoided war by developing the theories of deterrence, collective security, detente, balance of power, disarmament and arms control and so on. Against this background, how does one explains Indian national security? The task is not an easy one. It is easy to describe India's conflictual engagement with its neighbours. Napoleon once said that the foreign policy of a country flows from its geographic position. In case of India, its geography has been both a curse and a blessing. No doubt, India's geo-strategic location is important to regional security. But in the past, we have seen India's war with Pakistan and China, peace keeping debacle in Sri Lanka and the strained relations with Myanmar and Nepal. This is one dimension of India's security. The other dimension is India's position in international community. At international level, it is embedded in the policy of non-alignment as an instrument of foreign policy's goal. Today, when the world has changed after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, India's position has also been elevated and the external powers feel that India will play a dominant role in international politics. As a consequence, India has made considerable efforts to resume strategic partnership with all the major countries of the western world as well with ASEAN countries. India's emphasis on Look East and Look West are aimed to improve the economic and strategic linkages with them. This has been possible due to the emergence of India as an economic power.

Read more less