South Asia Security Trends

The year 2006 was a year of paradox of promise and tribulations for South Asia. Thus stock exchanges across the region soared (except Karachi) and Indias booming economy demonstrated a steady northward trajectory pulling with it other markets as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka which had integrated under the SAFTA. In other spheres, however, South Asian states were oscillating from crisis to crisis. Be it Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh or India, security continued to be one of the prime considerations for the people and governments in all these states. Capturing the entire security flavour of South Asia, this book is an attempt to place the national, regional and global events in perspective. The aim is not to provide instant history but to see beyond the media driven, hyphenated short-term view of happenings in the Subcontinent and portend the path ahead. Trend spotting especially of lurking dangers will hopefully provide the necessary motivation for adorning a sage path of cooperation, compromise and mutual assistance, for that is the way ahead for the multitudes in South Asia and not reliving memories of the past, feels the author.