South Asia in focus
THE curtain was brought down on 2008 with national elections in Bangladesh. The year saw significant developments in the democratisation of the South Asian region. Bhutan's monarch is seeking to involve people in governance. All this augurs well for the region. Unfortunately, the region also experienced tension between India and Pakistan.
South Asia witnessed both remarkable achievements and turmoil during 2008. While Bangladesh was free from political mayhem and instability, some positive developments took place in Nepal, where the Maoists formed the government. Paradoxically, this development was the product of a democratic process as the Maoists abandoned unconventional politics and won the parliamentary polls. Nepal also made history by becoming a Republic, ending the 240-year-old monarchy.
India remained without major problems, but had anxious moments over the government's decision to go ahead with a civilian nuclear accord with the United States. The country withstood the specter of the fall of the government, which won a crucial vote of confidence in the Lok Sabah on the issue. Pakistan witnessed general elections that brought the Pakistan People's Party into power, which was a disaster for President Musharrafas he was forced to disappear from the scene, ending his rule of nine years.
Bhutan held a parliamentary election, giving a taste of voting to its people while the throne remains firmly in control of governance. The development was a new experience for the kingdom, but what is noteworthy is the progress towards representative rule, or at least in involving the people in the running of the country.
The Indian Ocean island state of Maldives held its first democratic elections, and Asia's longest serving leader, Mamoon Abdul Gayoom, lost to a young politician. The occasion was a milestone since it brought qualitative change by introducing multi-party politics.
Volatile Sri Lanka remained restive all through 2008 because of the civil war. Government troops said that they were on the brink of capturing the political and military headquarters of the militants. However, the war is not over as yet as the rebels are making last-ditch attempts for a reversal of the opponent's advance. Sri Lanka also successfully hosted the 14th Saarc summit, and it certainly goes to the credit of President Rajapakse's government.
In the western front, ties between two traditionally rival neighboursIndia and Pakistanwere in the process of normalisation. Saarcparticularly the summitshad fallen victim to Indo-Pakistan hostilities many a time before. A scheduled conference of the heads of governments had to be deferred indefinitely, and was made possible only when New Delhi-Islamabad ties improved.
The state of New Delhi-Islamabad relations provided encouragement to the overall South Asian political milieu, but unforeseen developments over the massacre in Mumbai not long ago reversed the process and almost caused a war. Anyway, it is encouraging to note that both are showing restraint and talking about solving problems through discussions.
Trouble-torn Afghanistan, the latest member in the Saarc family, remained as restless as before, with many observers saying that the situation was deteriorating further.
There was speculation over the polls in Bangladesh, as some quarters doubted whether the voting would eventually take place. But, belying all scepticism, December 29 ushered in a new era of democracy. An elected government has taken over, and faces big challenges to meet the expectations of the people. What Bangladesh needs is governance devoid of corruption and other ills that have plagued in the country in varying degrees.
The tenure of the caretaker government was marked by both successes and failures. One failure was the price hike of essential commodities, although international market behaviour was also partly responsible for this. The caretaker government must be credited for a number of welcome reforms, which hopefully will be strengthened and expanded in the future.
The region the most densely populated in the world -- is fighting to improve the living standard of most of its 1.4 billion people who are mired in poverty. Political problems, unbridled corruption, and lack of good governance are among the problems that thwart expected progress in South Asia. The region will wait in the new year for many developments in the positive direction as a sequel to the healthy trends of 2008, while it is also expected that unhealthy and divisive ones, both national and regional, will take a back seat and be discouraged in 2009.We all can look forward to a better year in 2009 for a happier and healthier time in South Asia.
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