Will SAARC Reincarnate (original) (raw)

The Issue of Terrorism: The Prospect of Security in South Asia

Journal of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 2021

South Asia was under the colonial regime for a long period of time and it is a very diverse and unique region. South Asia has been plagued by terrorism for so many years. Due to terrorism, South Asia has suffered economically as well as politically and it has strained the relationship between many countries. Almost all the countries of South Asia are the sufferers of this threat and therefore a number of conventions and frameworks have been formulated to eradicate this. Terrorism is a challenge for all and a good cooperation among all the stakeholders is required in this regard. SAARC as a regional organization of South Asia has a lot of responsibility in this issue. Since its inception, SAARC has done various things but due to the political differences between the members it has failed to evolve an effective strategy. It has also failed to implement its guidelines and conventions on the ground and therefore a reform in SAARC is very necessary. To make South Asia a terror free regio...

Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Responses in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Region: Indian Experience

2021

This study was conducted based on a document review. The study examines terrorism as the security threat to the SAARC and its encumbrance on regional cooperation and the efforts made by SAARC and/India to counter terrorism in South Asia. First, the study tries to look the complex nature of terrorism. Second, it provides a synopsis of the vulnerabilities of SAARC region to terrorist activities and how terrorism impedes regional cooperation. It also highlights the efforts made by the SAARC in counter terrorism since its establishment in 1985. The study argues that although initial significant progress is being made to bring all members states on one platform and signing different conventions on suppression of terrorism by the SAARC, many challenges remain. These include; inter-state disputes; religious militancy and radicalism; political polarizations; lack of mutual trust and suspicion among members and member states extra-regional multi-lateral counter-terrorism initiatives other th...

Terrorism and War on Terror in South Asia: JRSP, Vol 57, Issue 2(July-Dec 2020)

2020

South Asia has plausible economic growth, preponderant natural resources, energetic labour, fertile landmass and extended maritime space which provide vital access to its five nations with international trade network. Despite these excellent opportunities and potentials, terrorism has befallen as the major handicap to progress and stability in the region. The conflicts and terrorism practices are deeply ingrained in South Asia. South Asia is facing serious challenges such as corruption, poverty, unemployment, marginalization of some minorities and small provinces in socioeconomic aspects which incites the menaces of separatism, extremism and ethnic nationalism. Pakistan is the most dangerous place after Afghanistan on earth due to terrorism phenomena. Terrorism is a major factor which is posing threat to Pakistan's stability and livings of its denizens. Pakistan has tolerated bunch of problems due to war on terror and still devouring by its chronic impacts. The war on terror con...

Impact of Terrorism on Policy Making in South Asia Region

Modern Diplomacy, 2017

South Asia region has been raveling terrorism from decades. Despite having potential economic growth, in bulk of natural resources along with maritime possession and vital manpower-terrorism has become one of the major impediments to augment development and regional stability in South Asia. It is terrorism which may pale foreign investment in South Asian states and causes long term instability. For that reason, terrorism has made South Asian countries impelled to reconsideration of state and foreign policy. Even though terrorism has not embedded in entire part of South Asia like Middle East and Africa yet, some crucial segments of the region has been pervaded severely by affliction of terrorism. Tracing gravity of consequences, this article investigates state policy and foreign policy of South Asian countries concerning terrorism.

Politicization of Terrorism in South Asia Impact on Counterterrorism Effort Criterian Quarterly April June

Criterion Quarterly, 2019

Abstract [Carried by Criterion Quarterly, Islamabad, Pakistan; April-June 2019]. Politicization of terrorism is a universal phenomenon ; undue claim to victimhood, false flag operations, and blaming the neighbour for own counter terrorism failures are its indicators as well as manifestations . Employment of suicide bomber by terrorists and killer drone by counter terrorism forces have dehumanized the conflict, both these tools do not incorporate a mechanism to pre-warn the innocent non-combatants. Phenomenon of politicization of terrorism has a snowballing tendency; it waters down counter terrorism effort by changing its focus and direction. Due to mistrust amongst constituent states, South Asia is prone to this prodigy. Victimhood to terrorism, both at state and non-state levels sells well, it attracts instantaneous sympathy ; conversely being labelled as terrorist, rightly or wrongly, is generally sufficient to seriously undermine even a just cause. A state accruing the tag of terrorism loses the moral high ground even for acting meaningfully against organized crime and separatism, as targeted person(s) and or group(s) invariably claim innocence and victimhood. This paper explores the impact of voids stemming out of politicization of terrorism in South Asia on efforts countering terrorism in the region.