 Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 27: Department of National Security Studies of Central University of Jammu (CUJ) organised a lecturer on its Eminent Lecture series to deliver views on the topic of War and Peace in South Asia.
On the occasion, Prof. Christian Wagner, Senior Fellow, German Institute of Security Affairs, Berlin, Germany said people to people contact can be proved most significant factor for making peace in South- Asian Region. He further stressed more on peace and cooperation than war and conflicts. He said that no other region in Asia had seen as many wars since decolonization than South Asia and that's why it became important to throw light on this particular area. He also said that the social indicators of the countries of the South Asia did not improve despite the efforts made.
He highlighted the reasons of chronic instability in Asia as conventional Security threats, regional power ambitions, conventional war, covert war and non-conventional security threats like climate change, deforestation, rise in sea level and others. He also talked about the civil wars in Baluchistan, Sri Lanka, Northeast of India and Taliban.
He stressed on the lack of Economic and Political Cooperation by highlighting that there is no "Democratic Peace" and even if the government is democratic they feel it is very difficult to cooperate. Stressing on the Economic part, he said that only five percent inter-regional trade in SAARC is too low which needs a lot of improvement. He appreciated the improvement in the SAARC development fund (SDF).
He suggested improving the intra-regional trade which is too weak. Poor infrastructural development among these South Asian countries is also a very significant reason for weak people-to-people contact.
He said that one of the major confidence building steps in this region would be to increase people-to-people contact, which is hindered by strict visa rules and poor infrastructure. Prof. Devanand, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu honoured the guest and delivered his remarks on the occasion about the South Asian border disputes and security concerns with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir, India. Prof. Deepak Raj Gupta, Dean, School of Business Studies and Academic Administrator, Central University of Jammu delivered the welcome address and Prof. Gopalji Malviya, Head, Department of National Security Studies, delivered the formal vote of thanks. |
