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Poised for change

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
BECAUSE of a variety of developments the overall political climate in the South Asian region now appears better compared to any other time in the last many years, and this relatively healthy situation provides an opportunity for the regional nations to improve their bilateral ties on the one hand and advance collective benefits on the other. Almost all the countries share this encouraging condition, which may lead to a more peaceful and cooperative South Asia.
On the political front, most of the eight countries in the area witnessed credible national elections, which, in almost all the cases, carry special significance against the extraordinary backgrounds of those nations. In fact, in some cases, the polls have been so meaningful that their impact goes much beyond the normal interest in the voting.
Some of these countries became democratic not too long ago, elections in some were the cynosure of all eyes, and some have overcome serious internal problems to bring their nation back to normality. All these augur well for a region whose general political environment is characterised by differences, acrimony and belligerence. All these developments took place in the recent past and indicate the individual and collective stability of the countries -- raising the hope that this better climate can be utilised for the progress of the region.
Pakistan held national elections early last year that brought in a democratic government after nine years. It may be true that the nation has not been blessed with a stable government since the verdict in favour of the winner was not a very decisive one. But the country has reverted to the democratic system.
Nepal, the landlocked Himalayan nation, was of interest and curiosity for many in and outside the region as it was the centre of glorious developments following a phase of mayhem and violence. A commendable election for a constituent assembly for drafting a new constitution brought the ultra-left Maoists to power with the promise of revolutionary changes, including abolition of the mon-
archy and turning the Hindu kingdom into a secular republic.
Indeed, it was a great moment for the nation that was crippled by political instability and Maoist armed insurgency. The process also brought the radicals, now known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), to the helm of governance. However, they could not last for more than eight months because they were at loggerheads with other political parties centring vexing matters — highlighted by the dismissal of the army chief by the Maoist government, which was overruled by country's president. The government quit, paving the way for a new government led by a moderate communist veteran. Even though the Maoists have threatened agitation unless the government's decision on the sacking of the army chief is upheld, Nepal is certainly a democracy now.
The small Indian Ocean island state of Maldives saw its first multi-party elections that ended the undemocratic rule by a person for 32 years -- which had made him the longest serving Asian ruler. The taste of democracy for the Maldivians is really something unique and the nation -- quite advanced educationally and culturally -- is now marching ahead. Another tiny country - the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan -- is also appreciably moving towards representative rule as the king himself is eagerly slackening his grip on power. A parliamentary election also took place.
At the fag end of last year, the much-awaited national elections were held in Bangladesh, belying all skepticism and setting at rest many speculations that were galore even a few days before the balloting. The caretaker government must be credited for organising a credible election. This has also brought in a stable government with a big mandate.
Last but not the least, the world's largest democracy and the biggest of the regional countries, India, went to polls a few weeks ago and the outcome gave the nation a stable and secular government. But the importance lies in the fact that the government has returned with a much bigger mandate, which will remove the specter of instability that had haunted the previous government.
Afghanistan is bracing for elections in August this year. The bloody civil war has ended in war-ravaged Sri Lanka after nearly three decades. This will allow the country to work towards national and regional progress.
The governments in South Asia are now representative in character also secular in nature. Some of the parties in power also enjoy rapport with party at the helm in other countries. All these combined factors present a congenial political ambience in the region of nearly 1.5 billion people, and it now depends on the political leadership of all these countries to bring about the much cherished socioeconomic development nationally as well as on a regional scale.
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is a senior journalist and analyst on international affairs