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South Asia is home to the world’s poorest of the poor. Increasing communalization, religious fundamentalism and weaponisation have magnified numerous regional issues such as mass poverty, environmental degradation, natural catastrophes, social security, small arms trade, girl child and women trafficking and economic cooperation. The production of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan has further jeopardized the region’s security.

The South Asian region comprises a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, and multi-cultural society. In order to retain their distinct identities the people of the region expect proportional access to policymaking and political options. However, some of the despotic regimes of South Asia have denied the people their basic rights and democracy
has become a farce. Similarly, social security has largely been ignored as it has received little priority from the governments of the countries within SAARC.

“Peace” is a major area of concern for the people of South Asia where the atmosphere is predominantly hostile. Water and its distribution is a major cause of dispute between India and Pakistan, Nepal and India and between India and Bangladesh.

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