India and South Asia 2005 CE

What is happening in India and South Asia in 2005CE

The history of South Asia has been characterised by mutual hostility between the different states. Tensions erupted into all-out war in 1971, in which India helped East Pakistan to establish itself as the independent country of Bangladesh.

Indira Gandhi, the prime minister of India, grew more authoritarian in the years following the war and declared a State of Emergency in 1975. However, democracy was restored two years later.

From the 1990’s, following a major liberalization of India’s economy, the country has experienced rapid growth. One of the most visible consequences of this has been the rise of a new middle class in India.

Pakistan has see-sawed between civilian and military rule ever since independence. The country’s economy has not expanded at anything like the same rate as India’s.

Kashmir has remained a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, and the two countries remain deeply suspicious of one another. The situation is aggravated by the fact that both countries now possess nuclear-armed missiles.