South Asia is more peaceful
The newly published Global Peace Index (GPI) has ranked South Asia as mixture of countries having extreme situation in terms of peace and stability. In average, the region has become more peaceful.
Bhutan has been ranked 19th of the peaceful nations in the world while Afghanistan, a country from the same regional pact South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is ranked one among five least peaceful nations.
Despite few minor explosions in 2007, Bhutan has not seen a single demonstration in the last two decades while demonstrations, explosions and encounter between security forces and rebels in Afghanistan are regular phenomenon.
Bhutan’s peace ranking has improved by 11 positions compared to last year, and is one among five nations worldwide showing good improvement in peace and stability.
The other two powerful players in the region – India and Pakistan – also did not fare well in maintaining peace and stability. They are ranked 142nd and 149th among 158 nations covered by the research.
Overall, world peace status has improved a little compared to last two years. Except the Middle East, where waves of pro-democracy demonstrations have become the daily business, all other regions, including South Asia, have made at least some progress in peace, though the anti-terrorist conventions passed by SAARC and numerous organisational efforts for restoring peace have resulted not much fruitful.
Nepal, though currently facing constitutional and political vacuum after the dissolution of Constituent Assembly last month, is doing better than its political mentor India. The growing power of underground political outfits such as Naxalities, Khalistan Commando, National Liberation Front of Bodoland and many Islamic militant groups led to degradation of the peace and stability in India.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been ranked 103rd, 91st and 149th peaceful nations respectively.
According to report, world was more peaceful in 2011 as powerful nations had austerity-driven defence cuts.
Asia, despite worries over a growing arms race and geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States, the overall defence spending appeared roughly flat and conflict slightly down.
GPI publisher Institute for Economics and Peace said the indicators to rank the countries range from a nation’s level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights. The index has been tested against a range of potential “drivers” or determinants of peace—including levels of democracy and transparency, education and national well-being.