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Contemporary South Asia – Class 12 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Political Science, chapter 3. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

South Asia includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Afghanistan. The region shares history and culture but has diverse political systems and many conflicts. Democracy has had mixed fortunes in the region. SAARC was formed in 1985 to promote regional cooperation, but India–Pakistan rivalry has limited its success.

Politics in South Asian countries

India and Sri Lanka have maintained democratic systems since independence; Pakistan and Bangladesh have alternated between democratic and military rule.
Nepal moved from monarchy to a democratic republic, abolishing the monarchy in 2008; Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008.
Sri Lanka faced a long ethnic conflict between the Sinhala majority and Tamil groups, which ended in 2009; India sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force in 1987.

Conflicts and cooperation

India–Pakistan relations have been marked by conflict over Kashmir, wars (1947–48, 1965, 1971 and Kargil in 1999), and terrorism, but also by agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty (1960).
India helped Bangladesh gain independence in 1971; issues with Bangladesh include water sharing and migration.
India has close ties with Bhutan and Nepal through open borders and economic cooperation.

SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was formed in 1985; Afghanistan joined in 2007, making eight members.
It signed the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement in 2004 to reduce trade barriers.
Political disputes, especially between India and Pakistan, and suspicions of Indian dominance have limited its effectiveness.

Key terms

South Asia: the region comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Afghanistan
SAARC: the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation formed in 1985
SAFTA: the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement signed in 2004
Indus Waters Treaty: the 1960 agreement between India and Pakistan on sharing the Indus river system
Ethnic conflict: conflict between groups that differ in language, culture or descent

Important questions with answers

What is SAFTA?2 marks

SAFTA, the South Asian Free Trade Area, is an agreement signed by SAARC members in 2004 to reduce tariffs and trade barriers among South Asian countries and increase regional trade.

Explain the main issues in India–Pakistan relations.3 marks

India–Pakistan relations have been strained by the Kashmir issue, wars in 1947–48, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil conflict in 1999, cross-border terrorism, and an arms race including nuclear weapons. There have also been efforts at cooperation, such as the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), trade, bus links and peace talks.

Discuss the political experiences of South Asian countries and the role of SAARC in regional cooperation.5 marks

South Asian countries share a common history and culture but have had different political experiences. India has remained a stable parliamentary democracy since independence, and Sri Lanka has maintained democratic institutions, though it suffered a long ethnic conflict between the Sinhala majority and Tamil groups that ended in 2009. Pakistan has alternated between civilian governments and military rule, and Bangladesh, after independence in 1971, also experienced periods of military rule before returning to elected governments. Nepal was a monarchy for a long time; after popular movements, it abolished the monarchy in 2008 and became a federal democratic republic. Bhutan moved from absolute to constitutional monarchy in 2008, and the Maldives shifted from a sultanate to a republic. The region has many conflicts, including India–Pakistan disputes over Kashmir, water and migration issues with Bangladesh, and ethnic conflicts. To promote cooperation, SAARC was formed in 1985 with seven members, joined by Afghanistan in 2007. It has encouraged cooperation in trade, agriculture and culture, and signed the SAFTA agreement in 2004. However, SAARC's success has been limited by political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, mutual suspicion and fears of Indian dominance among smaller neighbours. Many experts believe that greater trade and people-to-people contact could strengthen peace in the region.

Quick revision

Democracy: India, Sri Lanka; mixed: Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Nepal republic (2008); Bhutan constitutional monarchy.
India–Pakistan conflicts; Indus Waters Treaty 1960.
SAARC 1985; SAFTA 2004; limited success.

Exam tips

Make a country-wise table of political systems in South Asia.
Remember SAARC (1985) and SAFTA (2004).

Practice MCQs

SAARC was formed in
1. 1967
2. 1985
3. 1991
4. 2004
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1985. It promotes regional cooperation.
Bangladesh became independent in
1. 1947
2. 1965
3. 1971
4. 1975
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1971. India supported its liberation.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and
1. China
2. Pakistan
3. Bangladesh
4. Nepal
Show answer
Answer: (b) Pakistan. It was signed in 1960.
The country that joined SAARC in 2007 is
1. Maldives
2. Bhutan
3. Afghanistan
4. Myanmar
Show answer
Answer: (c) Afghanistan. It made SAARC an eight-member body.
Nepal abolished its monarchy and became a republic in
1. 1990
2. 2006
3. 2008
4. 2015
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2008. It followed a people's movement.
India sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force to
1. Nepal
2. Sri Lanka
3. Bhutan
4. Maldives
Show answer
Answer: (b) Sri Lanka. It went in 1987.
Which has been the main obstacle to SAARC's success
1. lack of members
2. absence of trade
3. political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan
4. geographical distance
Show answer
Answer: (c) political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan. Disputes block cooperation.
Which statement about democracy in South Asia is correct
1. all countries have always been democracies
2. no country is a democracy
3. democracy has had mixed fortunes, with military rule at times in Pakistan and Bangladesh
4. monarchy is universal
Show answer
Answer: (c) democracy has had mixed fortunes, with military rule at times in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Experiences differ widely.

All chapters of Class 12 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.