This book examines the forces and processes which have led to relative political stability or unleashed trends in that direction in some countries of South Asia. It also delves into the factors that have stimulated economic growth in some countries, and impeded economic growth in others. Eminent authors from the region examine how far the positive political and economic trends in the region are irreversible or lend themselves to internal convulsions or external influences. There is also a focus on how far inter-state relations within the region have led to stronger intra-regional co-operation, particularly in the economic field. The potential of SAARC as a regional organisation in promoting intra-regional integration, as an instrument of political and economic growth, has been authoritatively examined. The book brings together the thoughts, experiences and insights of South Asia’s leading academicians, policy makers and media persons on this highly important subject of South Asian stability and growth with respect to the recent past and the foreseeable future.
Ms. Sumita Kumar is Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. She specialises on South Asian security issues with a special focus on Pakistan. Her research publications have covered a diverse range of issues concerning Pakistan’s foreign policy, internal politics and security. She has published chapters in books and articles in journals published in India and abroad, as well as in the Indian media. Her recent research publications have dealt with Pakistan’s energy security, Pakistan’s strategic thinking, Pakistan’s foreign policy and the Pakistan economy. She was a member of the IDSA team that brought out the Pakistan Project Report in April 2013, titled Pakistan on The Edge and the report in June 2012, titled Whither Pakistan? Growing Instability and Implications for India. Her publications include a chapter on “US Measures Against Pakistan’s Nuclear Policies, 1990-2001”, in Michael Brzoska and George A. Lopez (eds.) Putting Teeth in the Tiger: Improving the Effectiveness of Arms Embargoes, Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., Bingley, 2009. She co-edited the book India’s Neighbourhood: Challenges Ahead, IDSA & Rubicon Publishers, New Delhi, 2008.
Foreword
Welcome Address by Director General, IDSA
Inaugural Address by Hon’ble Union Minister of Human Resource Development
Introduction
1. Stability and Growth: The Uneasy Couple in South Asia
— S.D. Muni
2. Dynamics of Political Stability in India
— E. Sridharan
3. The Future of Democracy in Pakistan
— Sushant Sareen
4. Challenges to Democracy and Pluralism in Bangladesh: Structural and Institutional Imperatives
— Smruti S. Pattanaik
5. The Political Economy of Sri Lanka’s Growth: Focus on Youth Unrest
— Anura Ekanayake
6. Nepal’s Quest for a Constitutional Settlement
— Prashant Jha
7. From Monarchy to Democracy in Bhutan: Dynamics of Transition and Future Trends
— Dago Tshering
8. Challenges to Political Stability in Maldives
— Fuwad Thowfeek
9. Post-2014 Afghanistan: A Shift to Stability or a Failed State?
— Waliullah Rahmani
10. Myanmar in Transition: From Military to Civilian Rule
— Nyunt Maung Shein
11. Reviving Pakistan’s Economic Growth: The Regional Dimension
— Ijaz Nabi
12. Prospects of Economic Growth in Bangladesh
— Bazlul H. Khondker
13. Regional Disparity Challenges of Post Civil War Development in Sri Lanka
— Ranjith Bandara
14. Foreign Capital and India’s Growth after Liberalisation
— C.P. Chandrasekhar
15. Economic Growth in Nepal: Need for Reforms
— Bishwambher Pyakuryal
16. Economic Development in Afghanistan: Challenges and Prospects
— Mohammad Sulaiman Akbari
17. Strategy of Sustainable Growth in Bhutan
— Tenzing Lamsang
18. Maldives: Economic Growth and Political Developments
— Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem
19. India’s Role in the Economic Re-integration of the Indian Sub-continent
— Sanjaya Baru
20. SAARC and South Asian Stability and Growth: Potential and Promise
— Sheel Kant Sharma
21. Prospects for Stability and Growth in South Asia
— Arvind Gupta
About the Contributors
Index
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