Making South Asia an Economic power. My POV

[Lord ZeN]

-- My PoV

Our region was an Economic power throughout our rich history. According to some Economists if we were able calculated the GDP of Indian Subcontinent as a whole for the past 2000 years till the 17th century , it would be around a staggering 25% of the world GDP. But the economic condition of South Asia today do not match it's past glory. So what happened ? May be we could give some historic reasons. We could argue that our region never had any Industrial revolution like that of Europe or we could point fingers at British for colonizing us and destroying our indigenous local Industry and never allowing us to develop. But what did we do during the last 70 years to progress, are we a disgrace to our ancestors who build this great civilization , who made this region of ours a great economic power maintained our economic superiority for thousands of years.

I really don't want to go more into the past, i'm writing this stuff up to have a positive discussion on what we can do from now on to emulate East Asian growth model or even better, to create a unique South Asian model of Economic growth for ourselves. Well there is a great ambiguity over what kind of model that would be, would it be a pure manufacturing driven growth which our Chinese members are so proud of. ( Well indeed they have every reason to be proud of it) or can our region be the Back office of the world , or we can be both ( it indeed sounds unachievable).We all know that there is no ready made solutions but i what to discuss here are the steps that us South Asian countries should take to become developed economically, politically & socially.

What's Keeping our region backward

But a common question that arises in our mind is what the hell is keeping us backward, what's that one reason stopping us from our march forward into the future ? Well let me be honest with you guys, actually i don't really know. So let me give out some reasons which i feel is true ( actually it might not be even relevant at all). But please bear with me my dear PDF friends.

Partition of India and Pakistan
Well one would wonder how Partition of India is related to this Economic revival thread of mine. But i think it's somehow related. I think many of you would be surprised with the Sub title - "Partition of India and Pakistan". I put it that way to support the perspective of our Pakistani friends that Pakistan by itself has a unique identity and it's not just a Muslim part of India. Some of our Indians brothers have some problem to accept this very basic fact. Well see there are many psychological problems arising from this event which turned really horrific. But don't have that kind of time to list more psychological problems arising from this very event. All I i want to say is these physiological factor the discussion made by both governments on economic front.

Wars & Proxy wars
Well it's a well known fact that you can't have a sound economic growth & trade in a region filled with conflicts , violence & turmoil.And this being a defense forum , i don't think that here is much to discuss about all hostilities between biggest of two South Asian nations - including all the proxy wars still going on.

Are Socialist/Communists to be blamed
India the biggest of SA nation tried to ape the economic model of the Great Soviet Union including it's landmark 5 year plan. And it failed miserably. Ahh .. I know many here on PDF would disagree on that and say something like it was a necessary evil to protect our vulnerable work force.
But we need to give credit to Pakistan (East & West) for not falling into this trap. During the early period of independence they were actually on the right track in the field of economic growth.

South Asians are neither Workaholics nor innovative
Saying South Asians are neither Workaholics nor innovative would be a crude generalization. But what to do, after seeing our own people i feel it's true to some extend.

Trade Barriers
Our region is the least economically connected region and it's such a shame in this age of globalization.Like someone said no trade no development seems to hundred percent true. Well the graph below presents the pathetic condition of our region. I truly feel that together we could have achieved much better.

Vision less leaders
I guess i don't need to point out the obvious reason. We South Asian know know what kind of leaders we had in the past.

Our Way forward
No country can develop in isolation. We need to sort out our difference( both internal and external) and move ahead hand in hand, at-least in the economic front . I'm not saying that we should be best buddies but we must compromise. We must atleast become what China and Japan is today for the future of our region, for our own South Asia.

@levina @SrNair @SpArK @Armstrong @ito @Echo_419 @Color_Less_Sky @waz @Gibbs @SarthakGanguly @jamahir @rockstar08 @Koovie @Razia Sultana @IndoCarib @BDforever @bongbang @Oscar @thesolar65 @Rain Man @zip @LoveIcon @nair @IndoUS @Abingdonboy @Soumitra @Android @gslv @45'22'

And
South Asians & all other well wishers(international members) are welcome to make Positive suggestions on the topic.

 

[Echo_419]

-- My PoV

Our region was an Economic power throughout our rich history. According to some Economists if we were able calculated the GDP of Indian Subcontinent as a whole for the past 2000 years till the 17th century , it would be around a staggering 25% of the world GDP. But the economic condition of South Asia today do not match it's past glory. So what happened ? May be we could give some historic reasons. We could argue that our region never had any Industrial revolution like that of Europe or we could point fingers at British for colonizing us and destroying our indigenous local Industry and never allowing us to develop. But what did we do during the last 70 years to progress, to make our ancestors who build this great civilization , who made this region of ours a great economic power maintained our economic superiority for thousands of years.

I really don't want to go more into the past, i'm writing this stuff up to have a positive discussion on what we can do from now on to emulate East Asian growth model or even better, to create a unique South Asian model of Economic growth for ourselves. Well there is a great ambiguity over what kind of model this would be, would it be a pure manufacturing driven growth which our Chinese members are so proud of. ( Well indeed they have every reason to be proud of it) or can our region be the Back office of the world , or we can be both ( it indeed sounds unachievable).We all know that there is no ready made solutions but i what to discuss here are the steps that us South Asian countries should take to become developed economically, politically & socially.

What's Keeping our region backward

But a common question that arises in our mind is what the hell is keeping us backward, what's that one reason stopping us from our march forward into for future ? Well let me be honest with you guys, actually i don't really know. So let me give out some reasons which i feel is true ( actually it might not be even relevant at all). But please bear with me my dear PDF friends.

Partition of India and Pakistan
Well one would wonder how Partition of India is related to this Economic revival thread of mine. But i think it's somehow related. I think many of you would be surprised with the Sub title - "Partition of India and Pakistan". I put it that way to support the perspective of our Pakistani friends that Pakistan by itself has a unique identity and it's not just a Muslim part of India. Some of our Indians brothers have some problem to accept this very basic fact. Well see there are many psychological problems arising from this event which turned really horrific. But don't have that kind of time to list more psychological problems arising from this very event. All I i want to say is these physiological factor the discussion made by both governments on economic front.

Wars & Proxy wars
Well it's a well known fact that you can't have a sound economic growth & trade in a region filled with conflicts , violence & turmoil.And this being a defense forum , i don't think that here is much to discuss about all hostilities between biggest of two South Asian nations - including all the proxy wars still going on.

Are Socialist/Communists to be blamed
India the biggest of SA nation tried to ape the economic model of the Great Soviet Union including it's landmark 5 year plan. And it failed miserably. Ahh .. I know many here on PDF would disagree on that and say something like it was a necessary evil to protect our vulnerable work force.
But we need to give credit to Pakistan (East & West) for not falling into this trap. During the early period of independence they were actually on the right track in the field of economic growth.

South Asians are neither Workaholics nor innovative
Saying South Asians are neither Workaholics or innovative would be a crude generalization. But what to do seeing our own people i feel it's true to some extend.

Trade Barriers
Our region is the least economically connected region and it's such a shame in this age of globalization.Like someone said no trade no development seems to hundred percent true. Well the graph below presents the pathetic condition of our region. I truly feel that together we could have achieved much better.

Vision less leaders
I guess i don't need to point out the obvious reason. We South Asian know know what kind of leaders we had in the past.

Our Way forward
No country can develop in isolation. We need to sort out our difference( both internal and external) and move ahead hand in hand, at-least in the economic front . I'm not saying that we should be best buddies but we must compromise. We must atleast become what China and Japan is today for the future of our region, for our own South Asia.

@levina @SrNair @SpArK @Armstrong @ito @Echo_419 @Color_Less_Sky @waz @Gibbs @SarthakGanguly @jamahir @rockstar08 @Koovie

Commies are to be blamed it is as simple as that

 

[Srinivas]

The trade between South Asian countries is already happening, Except with Pakistan.

It is Pakistan that chose hatred and isolation !

 

[Azizam]

All the issues that you mentioned come down to very few major factors. They are unwillingness to overcome cultural/religious/political differences, refusal to admit the severity of South Asia and instead dwelling in some non-existent bubble of superiority due to the supposed shame of admitting the truth and not being ambitious enough which contributes to thinking that South Asia is incapable of achieving anything worthwhile. Even on this very own thread you can/will see evidence some of the factors that I mentioned.

Partition of India in my opinion was destined to be a never ending issue. Instead of partitioning the land along the lines of religious differences, it could have been done in the line of cultural/linguistic differences. By declaring two countries according to religious differences, you essentially forced a group of people who are very different each other to live together and now you are seeing the result of it. In my opinion, South India should have been one country and North India along with some provinces of Pakistan should have been another and the tribal areas of Pakistan should have been handed over to Afghanistan. If that happen then promoting nationalism and progress should have been an easier task than what you have right now.

Communism on one hand contributed to the lack of development but at the same time it improved HDI. The biggest problem I see in India is lack of centralisation so various different states in India are attempting to pull the country into its own direction while some states even have the capability of influencing the foreign policy of India to expand the vote bank of their own local politicians despite knowing that their decisions hinder the policy gains of India. Now, I especially mentioned India because India is the most important nation in South Asian region and for the true development to take place we need a responsible India.

For the people to be innovative or workaholic, you have to make them to be so through educational system and other strict regulations but who will be brave enough to start this? Our politicians are busy dancing according to the tunes of general public to gain votes and retain their power and you have to admit that will of the majority people in our region don't align with the interests of the country and most of our politicians are not genuinely interested in development but their own power base. Another factor is that we have to eliminate the tradition of "personality worship" among people as it is very destructive for our countries This is the reason why so many incompetent actors and other celebrities make it to the politics and it also makes even the competent politicians to have an idea that their power is boundless and no one can challenge them. We need politicians who will take the risk of going against the will of the majority to make a daring step towards development of the region.

Also I request you to welcome opinions of all members regardless of their nationality instead of limiting the participation for just South Asian members.

 

[Gibbs]

Only reason we go back wards is we put misplaced priorities ahead.. Like religion, language, caste, creed, regionalism.. Things that are insignificant in global sense.. If those barriers can be broken and every nation are treated in equal basis.. I dont see why not? India could be the main engine of growth given it's size and market with the neighbors supplementing it

 

[Srinivas]

Well Pakistan is the 2nd biggest economy in south Asia and also the link between India and the resource rich central Asia ( including Afghanistan). If SA as a region were to develop it's essential to mend our ways with them.

Trade is a two way affair, India already gave MFN status to Pakistan.

 

[Magnet]

Well Pakistan is the 2nd biggest economy in south Asia and also the link between India and the resource rich central Asia ( including Afghanistan). If SA as a region were to develop it's essential to mend our ways with them.

we would never give you access to central asia through pakistan .............. Find another way troll ...... you are seasoned troll now you want to wear a suite of humanity ........ to get some positive ratings .

 

[ito]

South Asia is not a country...hence futile to think of making South Asia as economic power.

we would never give you access to central asia through pakistan .............. Find another way troll ...... you are seasoned troll now you want to wear a suite of humanity ........ to get some positive ratings .

You don't have a choice...sooner or latter Pakistan has no option

 

[Piru Niqqa]

Partition of India in my opinion was destined to be a never ending issue. Instead of partitioning the land along the lines of religious differences, it could have been done in the line of cultural/linguistic differences. By declaring two countries according to religious differences, you essentially forced a group of people who are very different each other to live together and now you are seeing the result of it. In my opinion, South India should have been one country and North India along with some provinces of Pakistan should have been another and the tribal areas of Pakistan should have been handed over to Afghanistan. If that happen then promoting nationalism and progress should have been an easier task than what you have right now.

You don't know Jack about the cultural dynamics of the North or the intricaties for the reasoning for the partition. Stop trying to act like some self appointed expert.

Only reason we go back wards is we put misplaced priorities ahead.. Like religion, language, caste, creed, regionalism.. Things that are insignificant in global sense.. If those barriers can be broken and every nation are treated in equal basis.. I dont see why not? India could be the main engine of growth given it's size and market with the neighbors supplementing it

Sri Lanka is holding South Asia back with its dictatorship and arrogance. It needs to be liberated and annexed.

 

[Gibbs]

Have to agree with @Azizam .. India is too decentralized to have any uniform foreign or economic policy in the region.. Each of it's parts are pulling thier own agenda's most at the detriment of it's neighbors.. From West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, So that does not create a definite climate for sturdy regional policies

 

[Piru Niqqa]

Have to agree with @Azizam .. India is too decentralized to have any uniform foreign or economic policy in the region.. Each of it's parts are pulling thier own agenda's most at the detriment of it's neighbors.. From West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, So that does not create a definite climate for sturdy regional policies

Are you now an expert on India? Go and focus on your Tamils who want separation and then comment on us. Thanks.

 

[Gibbs]

You don't know Jack about the cultural dynamics of the North or the intricaties for the reasoning for the partition. Stop trying to act like some self appointed expert.


Sri Lanka is holding South Asia back with its dictatorship and arrogance. It needs to be liberated and annexed.

Lol.. By a half baked keyboard warrior ?? There are limits for internet Veggie farts can aspire to..

 

[Azizam]

@Gibbs Don't respond to that troll. It will destroy the intention of the thread and turn it into an endless mudslinging contest.

 

[Lord ZeN]

In my opinion, South India should have been one country and North India along with some provinces of Pakistan should have been another and the tribal areas of Pakistan should have been handed over to Afghanistan. If that happen then promoting nationalism and progress should have been an easier task than what you have right now

It's a bit offensive to us Indians when someone says that Southern & Northern part of India should have been a separate entity. We North , South , NE Indians equally love our country which is evident even from the discussion here on this forum.

Communism on one hand contributed to the lack of development but at the same time it improved HDI.

I disagree. West Bengal even after being ruled by communists for 4 decades never had an impressive HDI. Kerala is an exception.

The biggest problem I see in India is lack of centralisation so various different states in India are attempting to pull the country into its own direction while some states even have the capability of influencing the foreign policy of India to expand the vote bank of their own local politicians despite knowing that their decisions hinder the policy gains of India.

I fully agree with you on that. And it's a India specific problem.

For the people to be innovative or workaholic, you have to make them to be so through educational system and other strict regulations but who will be brave enough to start this? Our politicians are busy dancing according to the tunes of general public to gain votes and retain their power and you have to admit that will of the majority people in our region don't align with the interests of the country and most of our politicians are not genuinely interested in development but their own power base.

Couldn't have said it in a much better way.

Also I request you to welcome opinions of all members regardless of their nationality instead of limiting the participation for just South Asian members.

Everyone regardless of their nationality is welcome to post here.

 

[Luca1]

Unless there is peace between India and Pakistan, there will be no peace and progress. Both sides need to step back on the Kashmir issue in order for both to move forward.

It's sad but most of territorial conflicts between nations involve small track of land that hurts the people of the whole country. We no longer see that in Europe(western) . And let's hope this extend to Asia as well.