South Asian Security and Order

Background

India, the biggest country in the region, is extraordinary diverse region. However, we have success in maintaining unity in diversity quite successfully. In order to understand the dynamic of South Asia security environment, one has to go back deep into history stretching back to several millennia. The region was invaded repeatedly by external forces. Eventually it was colonised by the Europeans who practiced and perfected the art of divide and rule. They created disunity and internal divisions along, ethnic, linguistic and communal lines. The people of the region are still paying for the sins of the European colonial empires. China also experienced European colonisation.

South Asia is a limited geographical concept, which came into vogue after the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The partition led to the arbitrary division along religious line. The common economic space was disrupted. The socio-cultural unity of people was disturbed. Ethnic cleansing happened at large scale. Many of today’s problems in the subcontinent can be traced to the partition. In subsequent years, the Cold War impacted the region deeply. The discussions in the subcontinent were exploited by the major powers. Some countries joined the military alliances while others became non-aligned. External interferences made the situation more complex and volatile.

In the South Asian security complex, the continental and maritime dimensions play out equally. The region’s politics, economy, society and culture is deeply influenced by the Indian Ocean, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush mountains, the monsoon, the rivers and the fertile river valleys. There was historic connectivity between the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia, Arabia, South-East Asia and even up to the East coast of Africa and Europe. These connectivities were disrupted. The fact is that India’s civilisational footprint extended towards the east, west and the north.

South Asia Security

South Asian security issues can be clubbed under the following seven categories: geopolitics, unsettled boundaries, porous borders, terrorism and radicalisation, climate change and environment, economic security. There has to be an inclusive approach to South Asian security and order. It must take into account the region’s political, economic, social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity.

Efforts have been made in the past to bring a semblance of economic integration in the region. SAARC was a major project undertaken in this regard in the 1980s. A number of areas for cooperation such as trade, tourism, environment, agriculture, poverty elevation etc were identified. Unfortunately, implementation has been slow and marred by the lack of political commitment among the member countries to implement the ambitious programme of economic integration that has been worked out. South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was the casualty of one country’s inability to subscribe to it. Intractable bilateral disputes have unfortunately over shadowed SAARC. There does not seem to be an easy way out.

BIMSTEC is another forum which brings together some of South Asian countries and South East Asian countries. Centred around the Bay of Bengal region, which at one point of time was a thriving corridor between South Asia and South East Asia, BIMSTEC seeks to develop regional integration in crucial areas. The 6th BIMSTEC summit was held in Thailand in April 2025. BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 document, lays out the road map for the collective prosperity of the region. BIMSTEC shows more promise than SAARC.

The following principles needs to be incorporated in strengthening security in South Asia:

• Adherence to the principles of UN Charter. Mutual Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Sensitivities for each other’s security concerns.
• Focus on economic integration through development, connectivity and integration.
• Prioritising the real issues of the people: poverty alleviation, economic security, food, energy and health security, climate change, skills and education, technology, trade and investments.
• The non-traditional issues need to be given priority in the security matrix of the region.
• No to terrorism, cross border terrorism, radicalisation.
• Dialogue and diplomacy should be the preferred way of resolving mutual problems.
• Encouraging and strengthening people-to-people contacts.

India

India is deeply committed to regional cooperation. India’s population, size, location and growing economy,(4th largest, soon to become 3rd largest) makes it an ideal partner for the neighbouring countries. India is not an expansionist power. It has no territorial ambitions. It prioritises dialogue and cooperation in its engagement with other countries.

The principles of India’s foreign policy that will have a positive impact on South Asian security and order are:

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam : World is a family, we share the planet earth and we have a common destiny. Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam, a civilisational concept, is a framework of cooperation rather than conflicts.
• Vishwamitra : It will be a friend to all. This is reflected in India’s approach to offer cooperation and assistance at the time of natural disasters and crises. India has been a first responder to neighbouring countries at the time of earthquake, Tsunami, cyclones and other disasters.
• Global South : India advocates the cause of Global South. At the G 20 summit it chaired in 2023, African Union was admitted as a member of the G20.
• No to terrorism : India is resolutely oppose to terrorism and its sponsors. It will fight against cross border terrorism. It will cooperate with other countries to fight terrorism.
• Peace over war : India has time and again said that this should not be an era of wars. Differences should not be allowed to become disputes. Disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. This position found reflection in the G20 summit declaration in 2023.

Conclusion

India has a vested interest in peace and stability in South Asia. Its Neighbourhood First policy is designed to achieve that.

The five Ss of Indian foreign policy are: Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Shanti (Peace), Samriddhi (Prosperity), and Sanskriti (Culture). These are the backdrop of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

India has sought to engage with maritime neighbours including those in South Asia through the policy of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All). Recently SAGAR doctrine has been expanded to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

These principles, if applied to the South Asia region would strengthen security and order.

(The paper is the author’s individual scholastic articulation. The author certifies that the article/paper is original in content, unpublished and it has not been submitted for publication/web upload elsewhere, and that the facts and figures quoted are duly referenced, as needed, and are believed to be correct).