
The end of the Cold War has induced fresh thinking on approaches to security. The focus is on non-conventional aspects, particularly economic strength, interest and interdependence of nations. As distinct from the notion of security mainly focused on military power, the idea is to consider a more expanded agenda. Regional Economic Trends and South Asian Security examines the scope and policy implications of such rethinking in South Asia.
The third Bangladesh-India dialogue for young leaders reaffirmed the belief that good relations between the neighbours would play a pivotal role in working for a stable and constructive environment in South Asia. The discussion sessions organised by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in January 2006 brought together Journalists, Academics and Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum from both the countries. This volume presents seven thematic papers, each indicative both of current problems and future opportunities between the two countries.
The book provides penetrating Insights into the economic dimensions of the chasm between the erstwhile East and West Pakistan that eventually led to the cleavage and the conflict that marked the final parting of the ways. The focus of Hasan Zaheer's study is more on what he feels were the internal factors that, in his view, somehow inexorably widened the mental distance between East and West Pakistan with the result that by 1970 and following the military action of March 25, 1971, the situation had reached a point of no return.
Contents:
1. A Historical Survey / 2. Genesis of Alienation / 3. India Gets Involved / 4. Towards Military Conflict / 5. War and the Birth of Bangladesh / 6. 1972: Efforts at National Consolidation / 7. 1973: Beginnings of Disillusion / 8. 1974: The Fragmentation of Bangladeshi Politics / 9. 1975: Autocracy to Assassination / 10. Persona of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman / 11. Military-Democratic Cocktail / 12. An Overview / 13. Epilogue and a Prognosis
The present volume is the outcome of two India-Bangladesh Dialogues of journalists which were held on 7-8 September and 30 November-l December 2004 at the BEI. The initiative was the first of its kind inspired by the belief that young media persons hardly carried the burden of the past history (1947-71) of the subcontinent.
The terrorist attack at the heart of America on 11 September 2001 has had a profound impact on the course of world events. 9/11 called for fresh thinking on devising a new strategy on security and cooperation among nations. There is a call from both governments as well as civil society for cooperative security, since no nation wishes to be the hostage to its nonstate actors.
The collapse of the Berlin Wall triggered the geopolitical transition to a post-Cold War world. Far from ushering in a new world order of progress and peace, humanity finds itself confronted by new conflicts, new sources of insecurity and a highly unpredictable future.
The book presents a three-part study of the new geo-economic model of growth in Asia, namely, subregional cooperation. Part I deals with ASEAN Growth Triangle, with the hindsight of similar efforts in southern China. Conceptually, it views ASEAN's model for subregional growth as modified structuralism that is supported by appropriate vision and followed by serious efforts to make operational a blueprint of action towards cooperative security/interdependent development.
Volume I contains the Swadesh Bose’s pioneering contribution to regional economic cooperation submitted as a PhD dissertation to the University of Cambridge. In this volume he lays out a rigorous analysis of the prospects and hopes for mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between all the countries of South Asia.
The security infrastructure in Bangladesh is more a product of default rather than design. Adhoc and piecemeal responses of the government come about from time to time, following persistent media outcry and pervasive civil society criticism relating to specific issues or breaches and events. It is, thus, natural to surmise that no comprehensive National Security Policy exists in Bangladesh. Primacy of holistic security in the development process is now widely recognised.