| 'The subcontinent is not at all secure' Saad Hammadi asks Professor Dalem Ch Barman, founder chairman of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Dhaka University about how the various security concerns revolving around South Asia will impact on the bilateral relations between neighbouring countries
What impact does the Pilkhana incident have for Bangladesh in terms of bilateral relations with South Asian countries? This is an internal matter. But since India shares common borders with us, it was concerned over BDR men crossing the border. Bilateral relation between countries is not likely to be affected by the mutiny. Our image however, to other countries has been hampered. To restore it, whoever is responsible behind the carnage, must be discovered through proper investigation and tried. A crisis of dependability within the state forces have emerged which must be re-established through mutual understanding. Considering the repeated terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the Mumbai attack in India and lately the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers, how secure is the subcontinent? The subcontinent is not at all secure. The terrorists are so committed to their tasks that even after getting caught, they do not regret their crime. Terrorists cannot be confined within a territory. Poverty, proper education and unemployment are the main reasons behind the insecurity and tension persisting in the subcontinent. A regional security is essential to tackle this situation so that neighbouring countries can also collectively address this situation. Many a time a national crisis in South Asia turns out to be 'blame game' between the countries. In an environment of mutual suspicion and unresolved issues, isn't a South Asian Task Force counter-productive? Call it mistrust or suspicion, both have always existed and yet the SAARC came to effect. I believe a task force is required so as to resolve such suspicion. An open dialogue between the leaders of South Asian countries may resolve the crisis. A common strategy may be developed and corrected as and when required. Problems cannot be avoided and for that, you must face reality. Despite not being in power presently, religiously aligned political parties like Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, Bharatiya Janata Party in India and others in Pakistan, have grown in influence in the political arena of the subcontinent. In states of multiple cultures and religions where secular values are inevitable, what does their growth indicate? The religiously aligned parties continue to exist because of their affiliation with the society. If the 1972's constitution of Bangladesh was not revoked, secularism could have been exercised to its fullest. In democracy, you need secularism because they complement each other. Religion should not be used as a part of state mechanism. Prior to the 1972 constitution, capitalism was creating class discrimination. Religiously aligned parties were banned in the 1972 constitution when our religious force was found to have worked against liberation. In the subcontinent's perspective, be it in India or Pakistan, citizen's rights are a priority and therefore pluralism is essential. Religious influence may not be completely pulled out but if democracy can be established and practiced, religious identities would not become an instrument to discrimination. The global war on terror during the Bush administration has insinuated racial discrimination towards the entire Muslim population across the world. What effect does the global war on terror have on South Asia, the largest concentration of Muslim community in the world? Every state, as of today, is worried about its own security. If America is able to exercise democracy in the right mandate, the anti- Muslim attitude will perhaps simmer down. India has always displayed a hegemonic attitude toward neighbouring states. With obvious hegemonic intentions how can bilateral or multilateral relations flourish? I would not say India has a hegemonic attitude. Every state has its responsibilities to ensure its own security. Since the divide and rule during the British period, a level of distrust arose between the neighbouring countries. How are the intelligence agencies of our neighbouring countries a threat to us? I do not think there is a threat as such for us. When there is a question of image and the economies are at par between the neighbours, such threats may arise like there may be between Pakistan and India. Although Bangladesh and India have a water sharing agreement for the Ganges, there are none for the other 53 rivers that flow through the two countries. Water resource experts fear severe consequences if India goes ahead with plans to redirect its water from the North to the South. The concept of shared responsibility has become stronger between countries than earlier days. The troubles, if there is any, revolves around the bilateral context. Every state has its right to enjoy the benefits of common rivers. It is the responsibility of the states to discuss between the neighbours, so that everybody's right is ensured. The agreement must be monitored. For Bangladesh, a resolution on the water crises with India can be obtained through discussion and agreements. The authorities ought to be responsible enough to monitor the agreements. Bangladesh would definitely be affected in irrigation and drought if these agreements are not made. Because India comes in between Nepal and Bangladesh, we must resolve the matter with India. In a state of economic disparity between Bangladesh and India, how will we benefit from giving transit facilities to India? The reciprocal benefits are not always heeded by the bigger state, but nonetheless there should always be discussion from both sides before coming to a decision. Transit may be provided in a process that does not hamper Bangladesh's stability. There is already enough economic disparity, so transit may not flare the situation. The nuclear treaty between US and India was signed on the ground of reducing global demand for oil. Experts, however, fear that the Indian empowerment on nuclear equipments may trigger a nuclear arms race with Pakistan and China. What impact does the nuclear treaty have for other countries? There is hardly a chance of nuclear war to occur because any country to call it will have equal risk as its enemy. Even the nuclear experiments are being curtailed through Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as it affects the environment. Nuclear weapons risk those who would use it as well. One of India's reasons to strengthen its nuclear resource is to establish itself as a regional power. And since a cold war between India and Pakistan continues to exist, nuclear resources give India an upper hand. India has primarily invested on nuclear resources to meet up for the huge energy crisis that is feared to occur in the future. How far is Pakistan's internal struggle related to the US invasion of Afghanistan? Outside of the Afghanistan war, Pakistan has always had internal trouble with regards to different ethnic communities. Also, the prolonged absence of democracy has not helped Pakistan. Yes, Pakistan may have been affected by the invasion and the tensions in the bordering regions, however, Pakistan also does not combat terrorism properly and allows terrorists to take refuge in the country. How do you view the Indian role in the LTTE war in Sri Lanka? It is assumed that since India has a Tamil community, as a regional power, India could take the struggle between LTTE and the Sri Lankan government to a constructive solution. As a mediator, like the way Norway tried, it could look into the demands of the state and LTTE, and out of a discussion, it could come to a solution. If the LTTE want a regional autonomy, it should be worked out by not hampering the state system. Has India's role in small neighbouring states always been so positive? For example, many have accused India of aggravating the internal trouble in countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal? To play the role of a mediator, neutrality is required. It depends on whether all sides accept India's mediatory role. Through SAARC's existence a lot of the misunderstandings can be resolved. It seems, in your words, India can do no wrong? It is not so. Every country has responsibility towards each other. |
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