ISLAMABAD:
India’s hegemonic designs have made the situation in South Asian region more volatile, putting the socio-economic wellbeing of millions of people, as well as the peace and stability in the region at risk amidst the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
These views were expressed by the experts, scholars and academics on Wednesday during an online dialogue on ‘South Asia: Regional Stability and Security amid Covid-19’. The dialogue had been organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
Highlighting the importance of broader, regional and global cooperation to fight the pandemic, Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) President Air Chief Marshal (retired) Kaleem Saadat expressed his dismay over the escalating tensions on the Ladakh border.
“It is certainly not the time to fight but to enhance geo-strategic cooperation for the wellbeing of people in the region,” Saadat said, adding that the pandemic is a non-traditional challenge for all countries in the region but the Indian government is not ready to give peace a chance to flourish.
Prof Dr Guo Xuetang, from the international relations department at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, warned that the region has become a hotspot for international conflicts.
He clarified that China does not want war and instead, its policies revolve around regional and international development.
Indian nationalism, which carries hateful and hostile sentiments against China, is dangerous for regional peace and stability, he said, adding that talks with Indian authorities for de-escalating tensions continue but the attitude of the Indian government remains a major impediment in peace.
Brig (retired) Dr Saif Malik, the director of the India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), said that India has repeatedly proved that it is a big regional country in size and population but small at heart. He added that New Delhi tried to take advantage of a pandemic to pass controversial laws against Kashmiris and Indian citizens.
Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques (IRIS) Assistant Director Dr Sylvie Matelly said that Covid-19 has worsened inequalities at various levels. The escalation of localized secondary conflicts reflects the patterns witnessed in Europe during the Cold War.
Earlier, SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said, “The locust swarm and Covid-19 are two challenges that regional countries are facing,” Dr Suleri said, adding that no country could respond to such massive challenges alone, therefore, regional cooperation is necessary.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2020.
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