NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia

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Class 12th Political Science NCERT Solutions Part A Contemporary World Politics

Q1. Identify the country:

(i). The struggle among pro-monarchy, pro-democracy groups and extremists created an atmosphere of political instability:

Answer:- Nepal

(ii). A landlocked country with multi-party competition:

Answer:- Nepal

(iii). The first country to liberalise its economy in the South Asian region:

Answer:- Sri Lanka

(iv). In the conflict between the military and pro-democracy groups, the military has prevailed over democracy:

Answer:- Pakistan

(v). Centrally located and shares borders with most of the South Asian countries:

Answer:- India

(vi). Earlier the island had the Sultan as the head of state. Now, it’s a republic:

Answer:- Maldives

(vii). Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty:

Answer:- Bangladesh

(viii). A landlocked country with a monarchy:

Answer:- Bhutan

Q2. Which among the following statements about South Asia is wrong?

(a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic
(b) Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement on river-water sharing.
(c) SAFTA was signed at the 12 th SAARC summit in Islamabad.
(d) The US and China play an influential role in South Asian politics.

Answer:- (a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic

Q3. What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?

Answer:- The major commonalities between Bangladesh and Pakistan are that both of them
have the majority of Muslims and both the countries have seen a definite clash between the
military and pro-democracy proponents of the society.The definite connection with India after
the partition and war of 1971 is also imperative similarity between the two.
The major differences between Pakistan and Bangladesh are:
(a) The disruptive activities in Pakistan , were fueled by the Western democracies while as it is
completely the native or indigenous forces in Bangladesh that disrupt the formation of democratic structures.
(b) Pakistan has not been in good terms with India, while as Bangladesh has close proximity
with India.
(c) Pakistan is affiliated with the USA for the eradiction of terrorism in the area while as it has no
interference in Bangladesh.
(d) China has affilial relations with Pakistan while as its relations are different in terms of
Bangladesh mainly because of security reasons.
(e) As a hard power also, Pakistan is more powerful than Bangladesh as it is equipped in terms
of nuclear weapons.

Q4. List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.

Answer:- The three challenges to the democracy in Nepal are:
(a) The pro-monarch section of the society which wants a conservative monarchy in Nepal.
(b) The violent aggressive groups like Maoists , who want to overthrow the monarch tendencies in Nepal.
(c) The SPA and the above two groups are in constant clash which leads to conflict and no consensus on bilateral lines.

Q5. Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict? prospects of the resolution of this conflict?

Answer:- The principal players in the etnic conflict in Sri Lanka are majorly the the two contesting
communities which are – Sinhala community and Tamil Community.
The Sinhala community are the majitorian section of the society and are based upon the notion
of extreme non-accomodation as they dont want to divide or delegate the power with the
minorities. The Tamil community are the minority in the country and are deprived of based
political, economic and social rights.
The resolution of the conflict was placed by Scandinavian Nations like Norway and Sweden ,
which was led by the death of the leader of LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The major
steps towards resolution should include the establishment of efficient power-sharing system in
the country, based upon the ideas of democracy and tolerance.

Q6. Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well on their way to a friendly relationship?

Answer:- The four wars are fought between India and Pakistan over the issues of Kashmir and
Bangladesh. The Tashkent declaration of 1966 and Shimla accord of 1972, were the major
agreements to be signed after the retaliation by both the countries.
Recently, many agreements were signed to increase the affilial relations between the two
countries as:
(a) Confidence Building measures have been signed between both the countries to minimise the
tensions in terms of security.
(b)The diplomatic relations which include cricket diplomacy and dargah diplomacy have
increased the proximity between the two countries on cultural lines.
(c) The extensive trade and transport agreements that are an imperative step towards the
political and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The resolution of the conflict and the establishing of friendly relations with the border country,
will require the mutual recognition of preferences and needs by both the countries. The
resolution of the Kashmir conflict and the growing intimacy between China and Pakistan are
also big traditional threats to the security of India.

Q7. Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.

Answer:- The two areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh are :
(a) The mutual aggreement on eradiction of terrorism from South-Asia.
(b) The cooperation in terms of politics and economy which includes bilateral agreements for the
maximum economic development of the countries.
The two areas of disagreement between the countries are :
(a) The conflict over the sharing of Brahmaputra river.
(b) The influx of refugees from the Bangladesh affecting the demographics and development of
the respective country.

Q8. How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take an example to illustrate your point. Example to illustrate your point.

Answer:- The external powers affect the domestic issues of the Indian Subcontinent due to the
impact of Globalisation. The increase in the relations between the European countries has
impacted the thirld world due to the constant dependence on each other. For eg. America’s
policy has affected the economic market of China which is known as ‘trade war’ and later on, it
also affects the auto and food sectors of all the countries involved in trade. The constant
mobility of native people to foreign countries also affects the decision making and demographics
of both the respective countries. The tensions between the US and China affects the security
apparatus of all the South- Asian Countries.

Q9. Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian Countries.

Answer:- SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) , aims at the economic
development of the countries by enhancing the trade relations between the countries. It also
aims at lowering the tariff rates by 20% and the external powers have huge influence upon the
SAARC countries. It also includes SAFTA(South Asian Free Trade Agreement) , which aims at
the economic growth of all the countries by lowering the tariff rates. Major limitations of the
agreement is the constant hegemonization by super-powers like US and China which affect the
decision making capacity of the respective countries. Some member-countries are also
suspicious of growing domination of India upon the parameters of cooperation.

Q10. India’s neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affairs of the smaller countries of the region. Is this a correct impression?

Answer:- Yes, it is a correct impression. India is at the centre of South-Asia and it tries to
dominate the region for the national interests mainly including territorial sovereignty and national
integrity. The political influence of India over the area clearly shows its role in the formation of
foreign policy of other countries. The geographical area of India and it being armed with nuclear
weapons has also led to the formation of this impression as India is considered as a major
threat to security. The domination over political, cultural and economic parameters further
legitimises the respective notion.

Extra Questions of Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia

Q1. Who controls the North-Eastern parts of Sri Lanka?

Answer:- The LTTE controlled the North-Eastern parts of Sri Lanka. After its defeat the area is now under the control of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Q2. Whose mediation resolved the ‘Indus River Waters Dispute’ between India and Pakistan?

Answer:- The World Bank resolved the ‘Indus River Water Dispute’ between India and Pakistan.

Q3. What does SAFTA stand for?

Answer:- SAFTA stands for South Asian Free Trade Agreement.

Q4. Mention the names of any four countries of South Asia.

Answer:- The four countries of South Asia are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Pakistan.

Q5. . Explain the problems that India have with Pakistan.

Answer: India have following problems with Pakistan:

The problem of Kashmir on the issues of Pak occupied Kashmir (Pok) and Line of Control (LOC). India claims Kashmir to be its integral part and Pakistan refuses to accept it. Hence, wars took place in 1965 and 1971, but issue remained unsettled.
Problems over starting issues like control of Siachin glacier and over acquisition of arms involved both the states acquiring nuclear weapons and missiles to deliver such arms against each other in 1990s.
Pakistan government has been blamed for using a strategy of low key violence by helping Kashmiri militants with arms, training, money and protection to carry out terrorist strikes against India.
Pak’s spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is alleged to involve in various anti India campaigns.

Q6. “Military rule and democracy are the two sides of a coin in Pakistan”. Examine the statement.

Answer:- Military rule and democracy co-exist or are the two sides of a coin can be examined with the following facts:

After the implementation of first constitution in Pakistan, General Ayub Khan took the command, but was overthrown by military general Yahya Khan due to dissatisfaction of rule.
Again in 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto formed an elected government which was later removed by General Zia-ul- Haq in 1977.
1982 onwards, pro-democracy movements took place resulting an elected democratic government in 1988 under leadership of Benazir Bhutto, replaced by Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif was again removed by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999 and in 2005, he got himself elected as president but was later dethroned by the court.

Q7. Before 1971, which two reasons were a source of resentment among the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) against West Pakistan?

Answer:- The two reasons which were source of v resentment (hate) among the people of Pakistan against West Pakistan were :
West Pakistan dominated East Pakistan.
East Pakistan was forced to use Urdu language.

Q8. What were the two main consequences of Indo-Pakistan conflict of 1971?

Answer:- The consequences of Indo-Pakistan conflict of 1971 are given below :
Eastern command of Pakistan military collapsed and East Pakistan was recognised as Bangladesh.
Over 93000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian forces making the largest surrender since Second World War.

Q9. Mention some points of agreement between India and Nepal.

Answer: India and Nepal enjoy the following agreements:

Allow their citizens to travel and work without visas and passport.
India is the largest aid giver to Nepal to provide financial and technical assistance in areas of trade, scientific cooperation, common natural resources and electricity generation.

Q10. Mention the features of SAFTA.

Answer:- South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was signed by SAARC members in 2004 with the following features:

Formation of Free Trade Zone for whole south Asia.
To sustain mutual trade and cooperation among SAARC members.

Q11. Mention some other conflicts in South Asia except with that of India.

Answer:-

Nepal and Bhutan as well as Bangladesh and Myanmar have disagreement over the migration of ethnic Nepalese into Bhutan and Rohingyas into Myanmar.
Bangladesh and Nepal bear some differences over the future of Himalayan river water.

Q12. Explain any four causes of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka,

Answer:- The four causes of ethnic conflict were :
The bone of contention was the region of Ceylon which was represented by the majority Sinhala group. They opposed the migration and settlements of Tamilians from India in their region.
According to the group Sri Lanka was only for Sinhala people and not for Tamils. This attitude of Sinhala people led to the establishment of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organisation, which desired for a separate country.
There was a pressure on the Government of India by the Tamils of Indian origin to intervene in the matter. Hence, the Government of India tried to negotiate with the Government of Sri Lanka on Tamil question. But direct involvement was in the year 1987. India conceded to sent troops to Sri Lanka for the preservation of relations between Tamils and Sri Lanka Government. Eventually, the Indian troops got into a fight with LTTE.
The presence of Indian troops was not liked by many Sri Lankans and hence in 1989, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) pulled out of Sri Lanka without attaining its objective.

Q13. How is democratisation going on in Nepal since 1990?

Answer:- Nepal use to be a Hindu kingdom in the earlier period followed by constitutional monarchy in the modern period for many years. The pro-democracy movements forced the king to allow new democratic Constitution in 1990. But it had a short and troubled career.
There was a huge influence of Maoists in many parts of Nepal who believed in armed insurrection against the monarch and the ruling elite. Hence, a triangular conflict among the Monarchist forces, the democrats and the Maoists took place for sometime. The parliament was abolished and the government was dismissed by the king in 2002.
Again in 2006, the king was forced to restore the House of Representatives after a massive country wide pro-democracy protests.
The constituent assembly was formed to write the Constitution for Nepal. The Constitution has come into effect with some amendment process going on.

Q14. Why did India and Nepal experience differences between themselves?

Answer:- India and Nepal experience differences between themselves due to the following reasons-

Indian government expressed displeasure at the warm relationship between Nepal and China.
India is unhappy on inaction of Nepal government against anti-Indian elements.
The Maoist movement in Nepal is a security threat to India giving rise to Naxalite groups in various states of India from Bihar in the North to Andhra Pradesh in the South.

Q15. Mention some features of Indo-Bhutan relationship.

Answer:- India does not have any major conflict with the Bhutanese government.

The efforts made by Bhutanese monarch to weed out the gurillas and militants from north-eastern India that operate in the country have been helpful to India.
India is involved in big hydroelectric projects in Bhutan and remains the Himalayan Kingdom’s biggest source of development aid.

Q16. Name the countries included in South Asia. How can peace and cooperation be enhanced in this region?

Answer:- The countries included in South Asia are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Inspite of many conflicts, the significance of cooperation and friendly relations is very well understood by the nations of South Asia.
To evolve the cooperation by multilateral means, a regional cooperation is being formed under the name of SAARC i.e. the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It was established in 1985. It is a major regional initiative to evolve cooperation through multilateral meAnswer:
SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in 2004 which promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia. It aims at lowering trade tarrifs by 20 percent by 2007.