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Prospecting energy cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN
No full textThe paper puts forth the idea of establishing inter-regional energy connectivity between the eastern expanse of South Asia and northwestern expanse of Southeast Asia. Initially, it discusses the interregional connectivity projects that have been completed recently, and the ones that will likely come about in the near future. Then it examines the shared historical linkages of this broad landmass. Further, it explores the current geo-political environment of the two regions, which it deems as conducive for generating energy cooperation in various sectors and locales. Thereafter, it studies the prospect of the energy cooperation from the theoretical prism of regional energy security cooperation. Finally, it gauges the present interloping opportunities and challenges while proposing an increase in the level of energy cooperation among these states across the broad region
The Fallacy of State Rhetoric: Pakistan, Haqqani Network and Terror in Afghanistan
No full textThis SADF Focus is based on the notion that terrorism is a political strategy and can be utilized by any actor whether they be individuals, organized groups or loose networks, domestic and international organizations, or even states. Subsequently, the article argues that states can be also terrorist actors and that state terror has to be included in the study of terrorism. Against this backdrop, the analysis sheds light on Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism as an instrument to achieve its foreign policy goals, especially in Afghanistan. By elaborating on the latest 19 April 2016 terrorist attack in Kabul, it will be pointed out that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign is aimed primarily at improving internal security and is conducted at the expense of the fight against cross-border terrorism. Furthermore, the anti-terror activities did not primarily eradicate terrorism but rather strengthened the formal role of the military in Pakistani politics. This article is not only questioning Pakistan’s earnestness and credibility in counter-terrorism but assumes its actions further stifle changes in the country’s foreign and security policy. In consequence, it appears that Pakistan still follows the old patterns of state support for terror/state-sponsored terrorism
Stitches to riches?: Apparel employment, trade, and economic development in South Asia
No full textSouth Asia is in the midst of a demographic transition. For the next three decades, the growth of the region’s working age population will far outpace the growth of dependents. Close to one million individuals will enter the workforce every month. This large, economically active population can increase the region’s capacity to save and make crucial investments in physical capital, job training, and technological advancement. But for South Asia to realize these dividends, it must ensure that its working-age population is productively employed. As one of the most prominent labor-intensive industries in developing countries, apparel manufacturing is a prime contender. With around 4.7 million workers in the formal sector and another estimated 20.3 million informally employed (combined with textiles), apparel already constitutes close to 40 percent of manufacturing employment. And given that much of apparel production continues to be labor-intensive, the potential to create more and better jobs is immense. There is a huge window of opportunity now for South Asia, given that China, the dominant producer for the last ten years, has started to cede some ground due to higher wages. But the region faces strong competition from East Asia—with Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam already pulling ahead. Plus the sector suffers from production inefficiencies and policy bottlenecks that have prevented it from achieving its potential. Against this backdrop, this report hopes to inform the debate by measuring the employment gains that the four most populous countries in South Asia—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (hereafter `SAR countries’)—can expect in this new environment of increased competition and scrutiny. Its main message is that it is important for South Asian economies to remove existing impediments and facilitate growth in apparel to capture more production and create more employment as wages rise in China. The successful manufacturers will be those who can supply a wide range of quality products to buyers rapidly and reliably—not just offer low costs
Natural water treatment systems for safe and sustainable water supply in the Indian context - Saph Pani
No full textWater is a precondition for human, animal and plant life on Earth. Deforestation, pollution, over-exploitation of water resources, damage to aquatic ecosystems, climate change and security issues are challenging the sustainability of water systems. In parallel, population increase, economic development, urbanization, and land use or natural geomorphic changes also challenge the sustainability of resources by decreasing water supply or increasing demand. Still too many people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water or basic sanitation. At the same time, three billion people will join the global consumer class over the next two decades, accelerating the degradation of natural resources and escalating competition for them.
If we continue business as usual, global demand for water will exceed viable resources by 40 percent by 2030. In this context, access to safe drinking water and sanitation, integrated water management, including water efficiency, can clearly contribute to manage the challenges of climate change water scarcity and global equality. Water is also an indispensable resource for the economy and has a high strategic and economic importance. Water crisis have been recognized as the 1st highest risk that could undermine economic growth according to the 2015 Global Risk Report of the World Economic Forum.
Research and innovation plays an important role in providing solutions to major water challenges. Over the past decades, EU research funding has Framework Programme dedicated over EUR 1 billion to water research and Horizon 2020 will continue to support fundamental and applied research to address this complex and cross-cutting societal challenge. Water is also a very important area for international research cooperation with non-EU countries for promoting sustainable development in the context of the on-going Sustainable Development Goals discussion. (...
Per Volksabstimmung zur Langzeit-Diktatur
No full textIn Thailand wurde per Referendum über eine neue Verfassung entschieden. Diese zielt einzig darauf, die Macht der Militärs zu zementieren. Auch das Referendum selbst war weder frei noch fair. Eine Reihe von Bombenattentaten ist ein weiteres Indiz dafür, dass es im Land gärt
Ansarullah Bangla Team: A Major Threat for Bangladesh’s Democracy
No full text"Since 9/11, the world has considered Pakistan and Afghanistan as the epicentre of Islamic fundamentalism in South Asia, incarnated in the Taliban movement and its affiliates. Many of the early observations dealt with the tremendous challenge which terrorism and religious-militant extremism would pose to peace and stability (from a geopolitical perspective). Realising the increasingly complex scenarios as well as the causalities and impacts, analyses on the phenomenon under discussion were slowly but persistently broadening. In order to be able to address not only the militant, but also the socio-economic and political dimensions of Islamic fundamentalism, the networks and ideological foundations of internationally acting fundamentalist groups have increasingly caught the attention of observers (worldwide). Despite a general widening of the research focus (for example taking gender aspects into account, like suicide bombing by female terrorists), it has also led to the phenomenon of only seeing certain aspects and/or dimensions of Islamic fundamentalism. By being pre-occupied with the security aspects of the Islamist challenge in the context of the foreign intervention in Afghanistan, many analysts initially had a narrow focus on the ‘AfPak’ region. Consequently, fundamentalist developments in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, especially in Bangladesh, were not adequately recognized for a long time. (...).
Trump’s Upcoming Presidency: Will South Asia witness a new US Af-Pak policy?
No full textOn November 9th, 2016, voters decided that Donald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States of America. Without a doubt, the recent election campaign together with candidates involved, especially the new President-elect, his speeches and statements were one of the most discussed ones in the US history. It seems that the US presidential elections have never created so much confusion and anxiety within the international community, especially in regard to the future course of foreign policy of the currently mightiest military power in the world
Vishuvat Chalana (Procession of Equinoxes): a brief and authentic journey from Vedic times to the present
No full textThe aim of this booklet is to present a summary of extracts from archives of ancient Indian Astronomy relating to Vishuvat Chalana popularly known as AYANAMSA with a view to test the validity and authenticity of Calendar Reform Committee’s recommendations in 1955 and reconcile with evidence available on record in various published literature. For the benefit of interested readers, information available is collected and presented in a logical manner
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its impact on Gilgit-Baltistan
No full textGilgit-Baltistan is one of the least known parts of South Asia. However, recently there has been an increased international interest for this area. Unfortunately, it is not due to positive trends, like economic prosperity, social development or free and fair political participation of the local population as part of a stabilised process of democratic consolidation. Instead the area is receiving international attention because of the increasing level of human rights violations, economic exploitation, and environmental degradation. Furthermore, the region came into the spotlight because of the growing influence of Jihadists forces, which contributed heavily to the rise of sectarian violence, despite or because of the ‘omnipresent’ Pakistani security apparatus. This is gaining significance since the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan determines an essential part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multimillion dollar development project which is heralded as an ‘game changer’ for Pakistan and the whole region
SAI-Newsletter, no.9 (November 2016)
No full textThe SAI-Newsletter presents what the South Asia Institute offers: A fascinating unity in a variety of academic topics on South Asia, a unique group of highly qualified academics, numerous best practice examples for research and teaching and last but not least a sound degree of public attention. Apart from looking back at what has happened at the institute the newsletter will also point at upcoming activities and events. By doing so the SAI-Newsletter combines the important task of documentation while at the same time looking ahead to what the future will bring