PATHWAYS TO PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA

This article explores various potential pathways to building a durable peace in South Asia, a region characterized by deep-seated historical rivalries and complex security challenges. It moves beyond a singular focus on conflict resolution to examine a multi-pronged approach to peace-building. The study analyzes several key pathways, including the promotion of economic interdependence through regional trade, the implementation of military confidence-building measures (CBMs), the encouragement of people-to-people contacts and civil society dialogue, and the cooperative management of shared environmental resources. The research argues that no single pathway is sufficient on its own; rather, progress must be made simultaneously on multiple fronts. The paper concludes that while the obstacles to peace are formidable, a sustained and multi-track effort that addresses the political, economic, and social dimensions of the region's conflicts offers the most promising path forward.

Achieving a stable peace in South Asia requires a more imaginative and multi-dimensional approach than has been traditionally pursued. This paper maps out several potential "pathways to peace" that could, if followed concurrently, help transform the region from a zone of conflict to one of cooperation. The first pathway explored is economic integration. The analysis examines the logic that increased bilateral and regional trade, as envisioned under SAARC, can create a web of interdependence that raises the cost of conflict and builds constituencies for peace. The second pathway is security cooperation. This section focuses on the critical need for robust military CBMs between India and Pakistan to reduce the risk of nuclear and conventional war, arguing that a stable security environment is a prerequisite for any other form of cooperation. The third pathway is societal engagement. The paper highlights the importance of "track-two" diplomacy and people-to-people initiatives in breaking down the stereotypes and enemy images that have been constructed by decades of state-led hostility. The fourth pathway is functional cooperation on transnational challenges, such as water management and climate change, where the shared ecological vulnerability of the region necessitates a collaborative response. The findings suggest that these pathways are mutually reinforcing. Progress in one area can create positive momentum in others, leading to a virtuous cycle of peace-building. The paper concludes with a call for a strategic and patient pursuit of this multi-track approach as the most viable way to build a peaceful South Asian community.