Eastern South Asia
| Eastern South Asia | |
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Eastern South Asia
With more than 441 million inhabitants, Eastern South Asia is home to 6% of the world's population and 25% of South Asia's population. The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Initiative promotes economic integration in the region. The four countries are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. Yunnan Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Myanmar are historically, economically, and culturally interdependent on Eastern South Asia. The Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar Forum has established an economic corridor in the region.
History
Archaeology
The eastern subcontinent's
Old kingdoms
Eastern South Asia is a cradle of
Bengal Presidency
The Bengal Presidency was established in the 18th century by the British Empire, with its headquarters in Fort William, in coastal southwestern Bengal. The British made Bengal the center of their Indian empire, during which Bengal became synonymous with India.[6] Until the mid-19th century, the Bengal Presidency's jurisdiction covered British-controlled territories in north India, northeast India, and Southeast Asia.
The
The Bengal Presidency had the highest gross domestic product in British India.[7]
Partition of Bengal
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Citing administrative improvement and affirmative action for British Indian Muslims. But the first partition sparked strong protests from elites in Calcutta and sections of the landed gentry, particularly Bengali Hindus. The protests caused a pan-Indian political crisis. In 1912, East Bengal was reunited with West Bengal as Bengal Province while Assam was separated as Assam Province .
The first partition left a strong legacy. Decades later in the 1940s, when Hindu–Muslim relations deteriorated, the British government again partitioned Bengal into Partition of British India. East Bengal was made part of the Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan and West Bengal a part of the Hindu-majority Dominion of India. East Bengal was later renamed East Pakistan in 1955.
In 1971, East Pakistan seceded in the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The constitution of Bangladesh established a multiparty parliamentary democracy in 1972. The country endured several military coups in the late 1970s and 1980s. Islam is the state religion of Bangladesh. In the Indian state of West Bengal, the Communist Party of India governed for three decades.
Himalayan statesThe Eastern Himalayas has been home to three independent kingdoms since the 17th century, including the British India. The Anglo-Nepal Treaty of 1923 recognized Nepal's sovereignty. The treaty was recorded in the League of Nations. Bhutan's relations with British India were managed under the Treaty of Punakha of 1910. Sikkim's relations with British India were managed under the Treaty of Titalia of 1817 and the Treaty of Tumlong of 1861.
After India became independent, it signed a treaty with Nepal and a treaty with Sikkim.[8] The Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, particularly after the 1959 Tibetan uprising , caused an exodus of Tibetan refugees into Northern and Eastern South Asia, including into Nepal and Bhutan.
Refugees included the spiritual Tibetan head of state, the Indian annexation of Sikkim was strongly opposed by China.[9]
Nepal's first period of parliamentary democracy lasted from 1950 to 1960. The King of Nepal to restore democracy in 1990. The Nepalese Civil War began in 1992.
Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971. Bhutan was the first country to recognize the independence of Bangladesh. Indian northeasthuman rights abuses in northeast India.
21st centuryIn 2003, China acknowledged Sikkim as a part of India while India recognized Tibet as part of China. In 2011, India granted duty-free access to most Bangladeshi products.[13] In 2012, India affirmed in principle to allow Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal to transit its territory for trade movement.[14][15][16] In 2014, Bangladesh and India resolved their maritime boundary dispute at a UN tribunal.[17] In 2015, India and Bangladesh signed a land boundary agreement to resolve border disputes.[18] In 2014 Bangladesh and Bhutan signed a trade agreement in which Bhutan gained duty-free access for 90 products in the Bangladeshi market. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan signed a regional motor vehicle agreement in 2015.[19] The four countries have agreed to develop hydropower in the Himalayas. Bhutan and India have developed two hydropower projects, as of 2017. Nepal has been a key participant in the Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative, which seeks to revive the historical Silk Road between South Asia and Tibet.[20][21]
The rapid development of the Bangladeshi economy was the world's second-fastest-growing major economy in 2016, but the country faces challenges of political instability and infrastructure shortages.
The 2017 China India border standoff developed on the Doklam plateau, located on the tri-nation border between Bhutan, Indian Sikkim, and Chinese Tibet.
Geography and climateBangladesh  The geography of Bangladesh is varied and has an area characterised by three distinct features: a broad deltaic plain subject to frequent flooding, elevated forested plateaus, and a small hilly region crossed by swiftly flowing rivers. The country has an area of 147,610 square kilometres (56,990 sq mi) and extends 820 kilometres (510 mi) north to south and 600 kilometres (370 mi) east to west. Bangladesh is bordered on the west, north, and east by a 4,095-kilometre (2,545 mi) land frontier with India and, in the southeast, by a short land and water frontier (193 kilometres (120 mi) with Burma (Myanmar). On the south is a highly irregular deltaic coastline of about 580 kilometres (360 mi), containing many parallel rivers and streams flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The territorial waters of Bangladesh extend 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi), and the exclusive economic zone of the country is 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi). Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate. The UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cox's Bazar Beach is one of the world's longest beaches.
Bhutan Bhutan is roughly the size of Switzerland. It is located on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, landlocked between the Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh to the west and south. The land consists mostly of steep and high mountains crisscrossed by a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys before draining into the Indian plains. Elevation rises from 200 metres (660 ft) in the southern foothills to more than 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The highest peak in Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum at 7,570 metres (24,840 ft). The climate in Bhutan varies with elevation, from subtropical in the south to temperate in central areas and alpine in the north, with year-round snow in the north. Western Bhutan has the heavier monsoon rains; southern Bhutan has hot humid summers and cool winters. IndiaEast IndiaThe bulk of the East India region lies on the subtropical zone.
Northeast India The mean sea level . The region's high rainfall, averaging around 10,000 millimetres (390 in) and above, creates problems of ecosystem, high seismic activity, and floods. The states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have a montane climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers.
 NepalNepal is the world's eight of the ten highest mountains .
The climate of Nepal includes subalpine and alpine zones.
Demographics
BangladeshBangladesh is the world's Anglo Indian. The Bengali language is the official language. Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi are among the country's largest cities and towns. Bangladesh's life expectancy is ranked third in South Asia.
BhutanBhutan has the second-smallest population in South Asia after the Sharchop, and Lhotshampa. The state religion is Buddhism. The official language is Dzongkha. Bhutan has a significant Nepali-speaking minority. Thimphu and Phuntsholing are the largest cities.
IndiaWith an estimated population of 226 million, Austric population, except in Bengali-majority Tripura. Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong, Imphal, Aizawl, and Gangtok are the major towns and cities. Hindi and English are the federal official languages of India while most states also have their own official language.
NepalNepal has a population of 25 million, which is the world's 41st largest. Nepal is a multiethnic Himalayan nation with Nepali as the official language.
EconomyBangladesh Listed as one of the textiles. It is the world's second-largest textile exporter after China.[22] It is largely self-sufficient in pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, steel rods, ceramics, glass, food, and numerous other sectors. Bangladesh has significant natural gas, limestone, and coal reserves. The jute trade has been historically important. Bangladesh's financial sector is one of the largest in South Asia along with those of India and Pakistan. The Dhaka Stock Exchange and Chittagong Stock Exchange are its principal capital markets.
Bangladesh has the second-largest foreign exchange reserves in South Asia. Its credit rating is also the second-best in the region after India.
The Nepal Bangladesh Bank was set up by Bangladesh's IFIC Bank in neighboring Nepal. Bhutan_at_Paro_Airport.jpg) The economy of Bhutan is notable for its hydropower, ferroalloys, apples, red rice, construction materials, and tourism sectors. Bhutan's main trading partners are India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Phuntsholing is Bhutan's financial center. The Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan is the main stock exchange. The Bank of Bhutan and the Bhutan National Bank are the largest financial institutions. The SAARC Development Fund is based in Thimphu. Bhutan ranks first in economic freedom and ease of doing business, is second in per capita income, and is the least corrupt country in South Asia. IndiaEast India's petroleum and tea industries. Tourism is also important for the region's economy. Kolkata is the principal financial center of eastern and northeastern India, being home to the Calcutta Stock Exchange. The Port of Kolkata is the region's principal gateway and is also used by Nepal and Bhutan. The port of Haldia is a hub of heavy industry. The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre is important for the region's tea industry. Jute is a major crop, as in neighboring Bangladesh.
A cross-border conveyor belt carries limestone from mines in Meghalaya, India, to Sylhet Division, Bangladesh, to supply a Lafarge cement plant.[23] Nepal  While Kathmandu is Nepal's main commercial center, most of the country's industries are located along the southern border with India. The economy of Nepal relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, food processing, metal production, remittances, carpet making, and textile manufacturing. Nepal's principal trading partners are India, the United States, and China. Binod Chaudhary is Nepal's sole Forbes-listed billionaire.[24] Economic history The Persian traders frequented the region for centuries. One branch of the ancient Silk Road ran between Tibet, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bengal. The Lhasa Newar merchants were active on the trade route until the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s. The Kathmandu Valley's early prosperity was due to these merchants. Another branch of the Silk Road connected Bengal with China through Burma and Yunnan. This route is also known as the Tea Horse Road. The Grand Trunk Road has its eastern terminus in Bengal. The seaports of Bengal were part of Indian Ocean trade networks with Africa and East Asia. In the 15th century, the Sultan of Bengal shipped a giraffe from Somalia and sent it to China as a gift for the Ming emperor. In the 17th century, Mughal Bengal generated 50% of India's GDP due to its worldwide muslin and silk exports. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish trading posts in the region. By the 18th century, Bengal attracted Dutch, French, Armenian, Danish, Greek, and British traders.
Political and legal systemsBangladesh Bangladesh is a Fundamental rights are enshrined in the country's constitution, but the human rights situation faces challenges. Bangladesh ranks first in gender equality in South Asia.[25]
Bhutan Bhutan is a Prime Minister of Bhutan is the head of government. The legal system of Bhutan is a mixture of the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig code and English common law influences. Capital punishment was abolished in Bhutan in 2004.
IndiaIndia is a states of India are headed by a ceremonial governor and executive chief minister. Indian legislatures include the bicameral national parliament and numerous unicameral and bicameral state legislatures. The federal government can impose President's rule in the states. Indian states are not permitted to develop relations with foreign countries, including neighboring countries within Eastern South Asia unless it is strictly overseen by the heavily bureaucratic federal government. The Indian legal system is a mixture of English common law, civil law, custom laws, and religious laws. The Supreme Court of India has a notable history of judicial activism. Fundamental rights are enshrined in India's constitution .
Despite India's democratic framework, much of northeast India is under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which has been described as "draconian".[26][27][28] Human rights abuses in Manipur have been a challenge.[29] NepalNepal is a federal republic. The President of Nepal is the head of state. The Prime Minister of Nepal's role as head of government has been in place for over a century. Nepal has a bicameral parliament. The country continues to transition from a monarchy to a republic. Nepal's legal system is historically based on Hindu law but has incorporated influences from English law and other legal systems since modernization began in the country in the 1950s.[30] Nepal has seen secularization since the republic was proclaimed in 2008. Capital punishment has been abolished. Nepal ranked 63rd on the 2016 Rule of Law Index compiled by the World Justice Project, which was higher than India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.[31] Armed forces _regiment_of_the_British_army,_Brigade_of_Gurkhas_blesses_a_British_soldier_during_the_Nepalese_festival_of_Dashain_in_Lashkar_Gah_district_110924-N-TH989-244.jpg) BangladeshThe UN peacekeeping forces. Bangladesh's main defense partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. Bangladesh's military was responsible for several coups in the 1970s and 1980s.
BhutanThe Royal Bhutan Army is Bhutan's principal defense force. It has an extensive partnership with the armed forces of neighboring India that includes training and logistics. The Royal Bhutan Army is responsible for monitoring Bhutan's disputed northern border with China. IndiaThe Indian Eastern Command is responsible for the country's security interests in the Eastern South Asia region. The nuclear weapons state . India's main defense suppliers include Russia, the United States, and Israel.
NepalThe British armed forces due to the recruitment of Gurkhas . Nepal is a consistent contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
Regional economic integrationBBIN Motor Vehicle AgreementIn 2015, the upper house to ratify the agreement, even though Bangladesh, India and Nepal have ratified. Bhutanese opponents argue that allowing foreign vehicles within the country would pollute its natural environment. In 2018, it was reported that Bangladesh, India and Nepal could move forward with implementation without Bhutan.[32]
Bangladesh transit.jpg) Prior to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.[34] After the independence of East Pakistan, Nepal signed a Transit Agreement with Bangladesh in 1976, even though cross border transport through India remained suspended since 1965.[35]
In 2010, a Joint Declaration by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India pledged to establish a transit regime for landlocked inland waterways. In 2016, the prime ministers of Nepal and India agreed in principle on the prospect of freedom of transit.[37] In 2017, a joint statement by the prime ministers of Bangladesh and Bhutan also affirmed the principle of freedom of transit.[38]
In 2016, the first Indian ship made transit through Bangladesh while traveling between West Bengal and Tripura.[39] The Port of Ashuganj was officially declared a port of call.[40] In 2017, the World Bank announced a US$150 million financing agreement for improving infrastructure to develop a transit regime.[41] The International Road Transport Union has called for a singular customs system in the region.[42] Internet connectivityNortheast Indian states import internet bandwidth by using the Bangladeshi submarine cable in the Bay of Bengal.[43] Bangladesh also plans to export internet bandwidth to Bhutan.[44] Nepal imports internet bandwidth from both India and China.[45] HydropowerBhutan exports hydroelectric facilities.[46] Bhutan, Nepal and India plan to export electricity to Bangladesh.[47][48][49]
Visa free travelIndia enjoys a visa free travel regime with Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh enjoys a visa free regime with Bhutan and its citizens get a visa on arrival in Nepal. However, visa requirements still exist between India and Bangladesh and between Nepal and Bhutan. Water sharingThere are numerous transboundary rivers in the region, which has been a cause of water sharing disputes. Bangladesh and India share 54 transboundary rivers, but they do not have a comprehensive river management treaty.[50] There has also been criticism of India's existing water sharing and hydropower agreements with Nepal and Bhutan.[51][52] Bangladesh and India are also concerned by Chinese efforts to dam the Brahmaputra River.[53] See also
References
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