📘 Class 12 – Political Science
🔹 Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia
📚 Academic Session: 2025–26
🔖 NCERT Textbook: Contemporary World Politics
What is South Asia?🌍
•Countries Included 🏞️: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
•Geography 🗺️: Bounded by Himalayas (North) and the Indian Ocean (South).
•Diversity 🌏: Culturally and socially diverse but shares a common geo-political space.
•Political Systems 🏛️:
•India & Sri Lanka: Democracies.
•Pakistan & Bangladesh: Military and civilian rule.
•Nepal & Bhutan: Transitioned to democracies.
•Unity and Conflict 🤝💥: The region faces both cooperation and conflicts due to political, ethnic, and economic issues.
Military Rule and Democracy in Pakistan 💥
•Frequent Military Takeovers 🎖️:
•General Ayub Khan (1958), General Zia-ul-Haq (1977), General Musharraf (1999).
•Challenges to Democracy 🏛️: Military, clergy, and landowners often dominate politics.
•Pro-Democracy Movements ✊: People’s resistance and political shifts, e.g., Benazir Bhutto’s return.
•External Influence 🌏: U.S. supported military rule for strategic reasons.
•Current Status 🗳️: Pakistan has civilian rule since 2008, but faces political challenges.
Military Rule and Democracy in Pakistan 💥
Democracy in Bangladesh
•Independence from Pakistan 🗓️: Bangladesh became independent in 1971 with Indian support.
•Challenges to Democracy ⚖️: Military rule under Ziaur Rahman (1975) and General Ershad (1982).
•Restoration of Democracy 🗳️: Multi-party democracy restored in 1991 after Ershad’s resignation.
•Current Status 📊: Democracy functions, but political rivalry and corruption continue.
Story of Bangladesh Liberation (1971)
Democracy in Bangladesh
Transition from Monarchy to Democracy in Nepal 👑➡️🏛️
•Monarchy Era 👑: Nepal was a Hindu kingdom and later a constitutional monarchy.
•Maoist Insurgency ⚔️: Armed rebellion against the monarchy in the 1990s.
•Pro-Democracy Movement ✊: In 2006, pro-democracy protests led to the monarchy’s abolition.
•Current Status 🗳️: Nepal became a republic in 2008 and adopted a democratic constitution in 2015.
Transition from Monarchy to Democracy in Nepal 👑➡️🏛️
Ethnic Conflict and Democracy in Sri Lanka
•Ethnic Tensions 💔: Sinhala nationalists opposed Tamil rights, leading to ethnic conflict.
•Tamil Militancy ⚔️: The LTTE fought for a separate Tamil state (Eelam).
•Indian Involvement 🛑: India intervened in the 1980s with peacekeeping troops but later withdrew.
•End of Conflict 🕊️: The LTTE was defeated in 2009, but ethnic reconciliation is ongoing.
•Current Status 🇱🇰: Sri Lanka has maintained democracy, but ethnic tensions remain.
Sri Lanka’s Ethnic Conflict (Civil War Overview)
India-Pakistan Conflicts ⚔️
•Kashmir Dispute 🏞️: Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as their own.
•Wars and Tensions 💥: Fought wars in 1947, 1965, and 1971, but the Kashmir issue remains unresolved.
•Nuclear Rivalry 💣: Both nations conducted nuclear tests in 1998, escalating tensions.
•Attempts at Peace ✌️: Confidence-building measures, such as trade and bus routes, have been tried.
•Current Status ⚖️: Relations remain tense but efforts for peace continue.
India and Its Neighbours 🌍
•Bangladesh 🇧🇩:
•Cooperation in river-water sharing and disaster management.
•Conflicts over illegal immigration and trade issues.
•Nepal 🇳🇵:
•Special relationship with free movement of people.
•Conflicts over security and water resources.
•Sri Lanka 🇱🇰:
•India's support in post-tsunami reconstruction.
•Conflicts over ethnic issues and military intervention in the 1980s.
•Bhutan 🇧🇹 and Maldives 🇲🇻:
•Close ties with economic aid and security cooperation.
•Limited conflict, but ties with China are a concern.
Peace and Cooperation in South Asia 🕊️
•SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) 🌍:
•Formed in 1985 to promote regional cooperation.
•SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) aims to create a free trade zone.
•India-Pakistan Peace Efforts 🤝:
•Confidence-building measures like bus routes and trade agreements.
•Challenges remain over terrorism and Kashmir.
•Regional Economic Cooperation 💼:
•Focus on disaster management, environmental protection, and trade.
•Role of External Powers 🌏:
•China 🇨🇳 and the U.S. 🇺🇸 influence the region’s peace efforts.
•Future Prospects ✨:
•Greater peace through regional trade and cooperation.
🔗 📚 Related Posts:
📘 Class 12 Political Science All Chapters Notes – Contemporary World Politics
📘 Class 12 History Notes – Themes in Indian History Part 1
❓ 🙋♂️ FAQs – Contemporary South Asia (Chapter 3)
Q1. What is the theme of Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia?
A: It focuses on political developments and democratic movements
in South Asian countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.
Q2. What are India’s major concerns in South Asia?
A: Border security, terrorism, regional cooperation, and political
stability in neighbouring countries.
Q3. What is SAARC and its purpose?
A: SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
is aimed at promoting regional integration and development.
Q4. How is democracy functioning in Pakistan?
A: Pakistan has had frequent military rule, but is currently
functioning as a democracy with civilian leadership.
Q5. Why is India considered a regional power in South Asia?
A: Due to its size, economy, military power, and political influence in the region.
