South Asia and Regional Co-operation

South Asia shares a common history, culture and affinity but in case of the borders the region is one of the most volatile in the world. Borders are artificially created during British rule to serve the colonial purpose which creates the border based nations by outside powers that reflects the dominance of the power rather than the communities. As we mentioned before the creation of border was based on power and interest, it also under estimated the interests of common mass and their emotions. As a result, a number of issues, that also has serious human rights implications that leads ups and downs of inter-state relations.
Border conflict demarcation has also created several debates among South Asian countries. Bangladesh-India border demarcation created positive relation between the countries and on the other hand border demarcation problem between India-China creating problems in Bhutan with dokalam issues.
Regional Cooperation can be the key instrument to promote increased market integration in South Asia through greater flow of goods, services, capital, and ideas. The responsibility in this friendship and good neighbor context both with India-Bangladesh and India-China has to act responsible. To address the bilateral problems, a more proactive policy from both sides supported by a strong political will is needed. There is a need to address the co-operation as well as challenges of open border issues of south Asia.
> Alma Siddiqua