Manufacturing insecurity: the politics of fear, securitisation practices and Rohingya refugee experiences in India

South Asia has been transitioning to more democratic forms of governance over the last two decades. Traditionally overlooked due to its deficiencies and poverty, the region is now witnessing significant economic and industrial growth. This paper explores the importance of good governance and human rights in South Asia, analyzing the unique challenges faced by these countries in reforming their governance and administrative systems. It also examines the emerging perspective of good governance in South Asia, which differs from Western concepts.

1. Introduction 2. Political Economy of South Asia 3. Governance and Development in South Asia 4. Poverty Reduction and Governance Paradox 5. Poverty Dynamics and Empirical Evidence 6. Endogenous Governance and Democracy in South Asia

The 1920s emerged as a landmark decade in the world history of radio, more particularly in South Asia. About a century later, this paper seeks to stitch together a critical historiography of radio governance in colonial South Asia. In doing so, the paper seeks to unravel colonial constructions, norms and rationalities associated with the modern medium of radio in the South Asian context. This paper draws on the works of Pinkerton, Zivin, Brayne, Potter and gleanings in their work of the autobiographical writings of Fielden and Reith, the first broadcasting controller of All India Radio and the general manager of the British Broadcasting Corporation, respectively, besides some official documents cited in these works pertaining to the goings-on in British South Asia and its broadcasting. Ultimately, this paper seeks to not only historicize the eventual decolonization and democratization that occurred, but also sets the stage to locate, understand and move towards sustainable media governance in a post-2015 world.

Despite relatively low numbers, Rohingya refugees in India have faced a spiralling, multi-factorial crisis of negative visibility over the past decade, constructed by public opinion, politicians, and media coverage. This paper examines this process of negative visibility, largely outside of the community’s control, its very real consequences, and in response, how refugees navigate within an increasingly hostile policy landscape. Relying on qualitative data collected with refugees, community leaders, and NGOs in Delhi, Jaipur, and Hyderabad (2022–23), we make three interrelated arguments. First, the visibility of the Rohingya as ‘illegal immigrants’ is driven by multiple spatial and episodic factors and actors embedded in India’s fragmented refugee governance. Second, refugees seem to adopt strategic mobilities/immobilities and pursue visibility in both mediated and coerced ways to protect themselves against the risks of negative visibility. Third, these strategies have unintended consequences for reassertion of hierarchical power relations within the community and with state authorities. Empirical evidence from the Rohingya case in India contributes to growing scholarly discussion on the co-constitutive politics of (in)visibility, (im)mobility, and fragmented refugee governance in South Asia.

Climate change is a complex global challenge that necessitates a unified international approach, transcending state and sector boundaries. This study delves into the efficacy of transnational climate change governance (TCCG) initiatives in the post-Paris era, with a specific focus on South Asia. The research utilizing the ‘Functional-Output-Fit’ model, evaluates the productivity of these initiatives based on observable and measurable outcomes. Despite the proliferation of initiatives following the Paris Agreement, the study finds a notable dearth of initiatives specifically targeting South Asia. Moreover, there is intra-regional disparities in country representation within climate initiatives, emphasizing the importance of equal participation and collaboration among all regional stakeholders. The findings suggest that a significant proportion of the initiatives in the region have shown positive output performance, indicating overall progress. However, variations exist across different action areas. The analysis of functional and organizational characteristics reveals that while many initiatives demonstrate moderate effectiveness in achieving their intended outcomes, there is room for improvement in certain areas such as policy planning, institutionalization, and target setting to enhance their overall impact. The study makes a significant contribution to the scientific understanding of transnational climate governance in South Asia by providing valuable insights into the representation, focus areas, and effectiveness of climate initiatives in the region. It further highlights that additional research is necessary to delve deeper into the factors contributing to the broader discrepancies in participation and implementation of transnational climate initiatives, particularly in the global south and specifically in South Asia.

The guarantees contained in article 9(1) of the ICCPR are not being properly implemented for Rohingya refugees residing in India. The article asserts the principle of freedom from arbitrary detention, which is jus cogens. However, India has not implemented the principle as it has not fully ratified the guarantees or categories of arbitrary detention of refugees which has left a void in the application of the principle to refugees in India. This vacuum is supported by a non-existent system of handling and detention and supported by national laws that do not regulate the principle which has led to massive arbitrary arrests and violence against Rohingya refugees in Jammu and Kashmir. So in this case, the researcher raises the issue of the applicability of the Freedom from Arbitrary detention principle as Jus Cogens for the handling of Rohingya refugees in India. India, which is a state of law, adheres to dualism and monolism simultaneously, so that the principle of jus cogens can enter and force erga ormes. To fulfil this right, UNHCR established the Alternative to Detention system which has elements of necessity and proportionality to avoid arbitrary detention in the region. So that India as a state, has an obligation to fulfil this right in full based on international law and its constitution. This research uses statute approach, case approach, and conceptual approach to help researchers analyse this writing which is in the form of normative juridical.

Climate change poses escalating risks across South Asia, where diverse ecological conditions, socio-economic structures, and governance capacities shape uneven adaptation outcomes. This study provides a comparative assessment of climate adaptation policies in eight South Asian countries, focusing on how governance arrangements, financing mechanisms, and regional cooperation influence policy effectiveness. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines policy document analysis, secondary data, and comparative case evidence, the study applies a structured evaluation framework to assess policy coherence, institutional capacity, financing arrangements, and implementation dynamics. The findings indicate substantial variation in adaptation governance across the region. Countries such as India and Bangladesh exhibit relatively mature institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction and adaptation, while Nepal and Bhutan place stronger emphasis on ecosystem-based and community-oriented approaches. At the same time, all countries face persistent challenges related to financing constraints, coordination gaps, and uneven implementation capacity, with these challenges particularly acute in politically and fiscally constrained contexts such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Across the region, climate finance remains unevenly mobilised, vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms are inconsistently institutionalised, and regional cooperation under SAARC remains limited in scope and enforceability. By systematically linking policy design, institutional capacity, and regional coordination, this study contributes a comparative analytical perspective on adaptation governance in South Asia. The findings underscore the need to strengthen institutional coherence, mobilise sustainable financing, integrate scientific and indigenous knowledge, and enhance transboundary cooperation to support more effective and equitable climate adaptation outcomes.

: Accountability, transparency, and participation are the central themes of good governance. Good governance can mean different things to different countries. Since each country or region has a different context of governance,which it faces unique governance challenges. Therefore, it is important that the concept of “good governance” is understood in the context of each country and region to find indigenous and pragmatic solutions to problems of governance. The application of the concept of good governance to developing countries that are at different development stages have unintended and serious consequences for the citizens, especially for poor. The issue of transferability of the notion of good governance to developing countries is not being adequately attended to, while formulating a reform agenda mostly backed by international donors, especially in the case of heavily indebted countries. Developing countries are being asked to do everything which works in developed countries and, consequently, the good governance agenda in the developing world has grown long over the years. South Asia is a region rich in culture and tradition and poor in governance and human development. This paper is an attempt to examine the possibility of South Asian model(s) of governance to capture and address the complexities and challenges of governance in this particular region. KEY WORDS : Good governance, constraints and possibilities, democracy and prosperity, and South Asian countries. About the Authors: Peerzada Tufail Ahmad, M.Phil. is a Ph.D. Student at the Department of International Relations KU (Kirikkale University) in Turkey; and Dr. Hilal Ahmad Wani is a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies UOI (University of Ilorin) in Nigeria. They can be contacted via e-mail at: pztufail.kat@gmail.com and wanihilal@gmail.com How to cite this article? Ahmad, Peerzada Tufail & Hilal Ahmad Wani. (2013). “Constraints and Possibilities of Good Governance in South Asia” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies , Vol.5(2) February, pp.147-160. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, West Java; and FKIP UMP in Purwokerto, Central Java, ISSN 1979-7877. Chronicle of the article: Accepted (December 22, 2012); Revised (January 23, 2013); and Published (February 17, 2013).

This article presents findings on the current state of fisheries governance in South Asia from the perspective of legal pluralism. It is based on ethnographic fieldwork in six coastal districts of India and Sri Lanka and focuses on resource health and allocation. We suggest that interactions between state and non-state systems vary, and include indifference, conflict, accommodation and mutual support. None of the studied governance patterns appear to have been able to halt or reverse overfishing, though we identify some positive local innovations. The situation is more promising with regard to resource allocation. Fairness in allocation emerges as a prime concern of most non-state legal systems in South Asian fisheries, and state agencies do tend to become involved in resource allocation if non-state fishery authorities fail to achieve it. We conclude by arguing that addressing resource health and allocation concerns will require increased state and non-state cooperation.

The present work lucidly reflects on governance and the civil service in India. It reviews the functioning of these structures in relation to their utility and/or obsolescence in the present condit...

The major purpose of this chapter is to categorize and map patterns of governance in South Asia. The questions that are asked are there similarities in governance patterns in countries of this region? Does a particular pattern is more dominant and influence politics, policies, and inter-organizational relations.

The history of public governance in South Asia has had a chequered history characterized by stability based on the paternalistic culture of the region coupled with formalism introduced during the British colonial rule. More recently, the state led governance that dominated pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods is in the retreat in the new-liberal, market led globalized world. Planned economy which once characterized some South Asian nations such as Bangladesh in the early 1970s and India until the 1980s has been replaced by private initiatives, liberalization, export centered growth, and market-oriented reforms.

This report analyzes four core areas of corporate governance in South Asia in light of global trends and best practices. It assesses the necessary regulatory preconditions for strong financial and economic development.

Rohingya Refugee Crisis Intensifies: Are the Two Neighboring Nations Heading for a Possible Military Confrontation?

South Asia, covers 7 countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; and accounts for about 34% of Asia's population or over 16.5% of the world's population and are home to a vast array of people. South Asia has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year. The proportion of poor is lower now in South Asia than any time since 1981. Yet, it is the poorest region in the world after Sub-Saharan Africa. Across the region, democracy has been weakened, corruption has increased and the rights of citizens are denied. In April 1993, the Heads of States of South Asia unanimously committed to poverty eradication. It opened up new political space in South Asia and was the beginning of decentralisation of government authority in this region. Although political decentralisation has taken place, fiscal and administrative decentralisation lag behind in most of the South Asian countries. Decentralisation has resulted in establishment of local government institutions, provision of their constitutional recognition and empowerment. As part of democratization, the local bodies are having elected representatives, who determine the policies and strategies and executive wing implements and carries out day-to-day functions. The foremost challenge for effective local governance is enhancing the capabilities of local bodies and staffing by officials who are adequately trained and equipped for the tasks assigned to them. Also, to be successful at local level it needs to be backed by political will and clear legal responsibilities for local government. South Asia is in midst of transition and reforms for democratic decentralization. The road is long and tortuous, but is the only ‘one-way’ path to alleviation of poverty, inclusive growth, and participatory governance.