THE FEDERATION OF REPUBLICS OF SOUTH ASIA

To begin with, this idea is Utopian. Impossible, many will conclude. Some will rubbish it. Only a few dreamers will acknowledge its merit.

The recipe for partition of India was perfect. The nation, divided by religion detonated into a violent paroxysm. The effect was so profound that the cause was forgotten. Soon, the invasion of Kashmir orchestrated by the British overlords sealed the fates of the new born nations with distrust and hatred. It was done to ensure the presence of Anglo –American alliance in South East Asia.

The hatred for each other propelled them on a trajectory of immolation. The divided nations fought four wars impeding own progress.

Today, Pakistan stands on a tower of Babble and India struggles towards self-esteem. The fingers are pointed at each other in a blindfolded game of ping pong.
What has been achieved by the 63 years of acrimony?
Has Pakistan achieved what it was created for?
Is India anywhere close to Gandhian vision of Swaraj?
The Answer is NO.
If a policy has failed to produce results for 63 years it certainly needs a re look.

A De Novo Look


Let us first acknowledge that the Partition of India was a British Design. The so called “Two Nation Theory,” was a proxy to spark animosity between the Hindus and Muslims. The Partition of India and Pakistan was a Historical Blunder and needs revision. This is the first and foremost step.

Once this is accepted by both nations the Kashmir issue becomes redundant.

Then we must rework towards restorations of relations as on 1st of January 1947. The Canal network, the Rail and road networks should be reopened. Travel and trade restrictions should be removed. The Punjabi & Sindhi Cultures will be the catalyst in this progress.

Then reintegration of the Armies should be worked upon. Firstly all operational units should return to peace location. Then a joint command should be established for international commitments. A unified Naval Command should be established for protection of SLOCS in Arabian Sea. A joint Air Logistics Command to be established for support of sea and ground forces. This should be followed by military exchange programs and joint maneuvers.

The Nations should withdraw from commonwealth till the Crown does not submit an apology for Partition and blood bath thereafter.

On sports front a joint team should be fielded for Olympics & Asian Games.

Once this has been achieved the issue of Kashmir should be worked out. Joint Investment should be made in development of Kashmir and Northern Areas by tapping Hydro Electric Potential. Needless to say tourism will boom.


Federalisation

After achieving the desire degree of maturity the process of fadrelisation should began. This should began with restructuring of Indian Union by giving further autonomy to its constituent states including Kashmir and Pakistan extending similar autonomy to its constituents. Once this has been accomplished, the Indian state of Kashmir and Pakistan state of Kashmir, and northern areas should be merged into single state. Punjab provinces of both nations should be open to same if the people desire so.
Once this is achieved, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives should be invited to be a part of the federation.

Federal Authority. This should be followed by establishment of Federal Authority. This will constitute representatives of Government of the constituent state. The Joint Headquarters of Defence Forces, Office of foreign Affairs & Economic Commission will work under federal authority.

Peoples Parliament .The federal authority will oversee the election of the people’s parliament as per the method in vogue in the state. The people’s parliament will be the apex body which will work out a constitution and approve recommendations of federal authority.

The present system of Central and State Assembly of constituent nations will continue. The Federal authority will allocate annual budget to the constituent nations after catering for the federal list issues. The Budget will be approved by people’s parliament. When the countries deem fit the central
government of the constituent states can be dissolved. This will bring the Stated directly under People’s Parliament.

Common Market and Currency. The integrated market will be protected by cultural and traditional property rights. A common currency will facilitate free trade.


Geo- Strategic- Economic Challenges.

The Fedralisation of South Asia will dissolve the sphere of Influence of Hegemonic West. With integrate Defence Forces this will become the third largest power block, second largest economy, largest human resource, and largest intrinsic market in the world. The Oil Rich Gulf region and resource rich CAR will be under direct influence of this federation. 90% of SLOC of world oil trade will cross its EEZ.

Needless to say Five Armored Divisions, Twenty Corps,7000 tanks,1500 combat air crafts,50 Submarines of different kind, three carrier battle groups, 2 million strong professional experienced army will give sleepless nights to many nations. The odd 200 nuclear detonation devices and the delivery quadrate (Land, Air, Sea and Space) will cater for Maximum Credible Deterrence.

Religious Issues. This secular Federation with the largest, Hindu, Muslim population of the world will alter all religious dynamics. The Global Islamic Jihad will take browbeating .Saudi Arabia will be forced to hand over its Khalifat of Islamic nations to this Federation.

People Republic of China. People Republic of China will be directly affected. The Federation should address the concerns of PRC by concluding a treaty of Cooperation Friendship and Asian Brotherhood. This treaty will provide PRC access to Indian Ocean by means of Brahmaputra, Sutlej and Indus Corridors of High Speed Railway, Superhighway and Oil Pipeline. This treaty will also include defence cooperation in Naval, Missile Defence and Space. China and Indostan have been ancient partners in development of Asia. It was due to this wisdom that the civilizations never collided. The time has come to revoke the ancient ties.


Conclusion

The federation will ensure overall economic development of South Asia. It will create a power block which will ensure stability in Middle East and CAR region. Its cooperation with China will ensure the Golden Age of Asia once again. However this will come at a cost; end to Global dominance of Anglo American. They will make all efforts to never let this happen. The onus lies on us to beat them at their own game.

Dream on……….


Contribution - Mr Skand Nayal Khan (Chief Research Wing- NCCT)