South Asia Cannot Afford War
2025.05.14 – Aranchi Rala Special Edition
South Asia occupies only 3% of the world’s land area, yet it is home to nearly 2 billion people—approximately 25% of the global population.
As a result, South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. Cities like Karachi in Pakistan and Kolkata in India are among the most heavily populated urban centers in the world.
In such a region, the human cost of war is unimaginable. A military conflict, especially between nuclear-armed neighbors like India and Pakistan, would result in a humanitarian disaster of catastrophic proportions. Leaders of both countries must seriously consider the potential loss of life among their own people before pursuing any path toward war.
Given the military capabilities of both nations, their access to arms from global powers, and their possession of nuclear weapons, the outcome of such a conflict is unpredictable. What may start with conventional weapons would likely escalate quickly, and the deployment of nuclear weapons could devastate not just the two countries involved but the entire South Asian region. This would no longer be a bilateral war—it would become a regional catastrophe.
Already, India has conducted air strikes on selected targets in Pakistan, and Pakistan has retaliated with strikes on various locations in India. The escalation must stop immediately.
At this critical moment, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) must reassert its relevance. Formed in December 1985, SAARC once played a key role in fostering regional unity. However, its leaders have not convened since 2014 in Kathmandu, Nepal—a gap of over a decade. Diplomatic frictions, especially between India and Pakistan and growing tensions between India and Bangladesh, have hindered regional cooperation.
Despite these political hurdles, the SAARC Secretariat continues to promote cultural, economic, educational, artistic, and sports cooperation among its member states. But more is needed.
Sources now emphasize the urgent need for a regional consensus on security. All member states must engage as equal partners, regardless of their size, economy, or military power. It is proposed that SAARC declare South Asia a demilitarized zone, with full agreement from all member nations.
Given its strong diplomatic ties with both India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to take the lead. It should urgently propose this initiative to the SAARC community and organize a SAARC Leaders’ Summit in Sri Lanka without delay.
In times of war, dialogue is often the first casualty. Yet, peace begins with meeting. On this auspicious week of Vesak, Aranchi Rala news channel is dedicated to a vision for peace—to bring India and Pakistan back to the table, away from the brink of devastation.
There is still hope for South Asia. That hope lies in unity, diplomacy, and the courage to choose dialogue over destruction.
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