Introduction to SASFOR

South Asia Strategic Forum is designed to bring together the works of credible strategic analysts to expound on fast changing geopolitical events and their ramifications on perspectives of global and regional players that gives drive to the dynamics of international relationships - a perspective as viewed by the Global Community in general and South Asians in particular with a view to provide inputs for policy formulation. The objective is to analyse where Asia is coming from, where it is at currently and where it likely to be going.

The 20th Century saw a resource rich Asia break out of its colonial shackles, take on the responsibility to develop the elements of national power, manoeuvre through the politico-military Cold War minefield while retaining their newly acquired sovereignty, fend off the restraints of economic and technological colonialism being foisted on them by the developed world, generate structures, means and systems to hold their own in a nuclear environment and space era and, emerge as independent reckonable entities on the geopolitical map of the world.

With the end of bi-polar dominance in geo-political affairs and the rise and influence of the Asian Giants in the international arena it becomes imperative to get a clear understanding of what drives the dynamics of Asian nation states in general and South Asia in particular.

The political, economic, technological and military vitality of the South Asian nations, in particular India, China and Iran, is redefining international relations at an ever increasing speed that is a challenge to established Western strategic thought. South Asia hosts nations, which have ‘state of the art’ missile, nuclear weapons and space programmes, robust GDP figures and increased Foreign Direct Investments opening these oriental cultures to global influences which are being absorbed and re-engineered by the peoples of this region in keeping with their national interests and imperatives.

The magnitude and pace of evolution of the South Asian region has created a paradigm shift that has yet to be fully absorbed by traditional observers and analysts. The start of the 21st Century is marked by an increment of magnitude in the growth rates, national pride, military spending, strategic thinking, and industrial and commercial capacities amongst Asian States that signals a breakout on to the global scene by new players.

These Asian Giants, which have been viewed traditionally as being politically rigid and protectionist in attitude, have emerged in the international arena with surprising élan.  Challenging their own political traditions, they are rebuilding not only their domestic infrastructure and economies, but are also fuelling economic growth globally.

National pride and resurgence often come with a big price tag attached. South Asia faces complex developmental issues at the fundamental level. Resources get diverted from basics like nutrition, health and education towards issues, which at first glance, may seem superfluous but are integral building blocks of national pride. 

In the past most South Asian nation states had been victims of diplomatic and political isolation. This had led to a slowing down of growth and technological advancements. To the credit of these states, most of them have emerged successfully from their isolation better equipped to cope with the present and future.

The South Asia Strategic Forum is an Online Think Tank for rigorous and comprehensive studies of the internal and external challenges to the political, socio-economic and military capabilities and complexities of this region and their impact on the geo-political scenario.