The Multilateral Implications of Ethno-Nationalist Violence in South Asia

Abstract

ETHNIC CONFLICT IS a world-wide phenomena,' as most states contain at least five ethnically disparate groUpS.2 Because nationalism has tended to be legitimised by statehood, the proliferation of new states since the post-war breakup of colonial empires has spawned contending ethnic claims.' Typified by situations like Rwanda, such strife has resulted in the deaths of 20 million people and created an equal number of refugees since the World War IL4 Refugees are often unwelcome and always suspect, as they impose economic costs on their host states, and pose a threat to their political stability and cultural identity. Moreover, providing sanctuary can invite military reprisal.5 Despite this reality, according to Myron Weiner, one in every 130 people on earth has now been forced to take flight-mostly because of ethnic conflict.' As Weiner indicates, South Asia is both a major generator and receiver of refugees.~ 7 at NANYANG TECH UNIV LIBRARY on June 3, 2015

COVID-19 Pandemic and India’s Regional Diplomacy

“…Some of its security concerns were reflected in the 1972 Treaty of Peace and Friendship that it concluded with Bangladesh. Its security-centric approach to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka defined its relations with that country, especially during the Cold War period (Rubinhoff, 2000, p. 274). It also extended help to Sri Lanka to deal with the Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna insurgency in South Sri Lanka in 1971.…”