# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article “India’s role in South Asia: time to honour Delhi Agreement” by Durdana Najam, Published in The Express Tribune on June 5th, 2025:* The article examines *India*’s role in perpetuating regional instability in *South Asia* through its policies towards *Pakistan* and *Bangladesh*, undermining the spirit of the *1974 Delhi Agreement* intended to foster reconciliation among the three nations post-*1971 war*. *India* has positioned itself as a dominant power, often portraying *Pakistan* as a perpetual antagonist, a narrative amplified after the *Kargil War* and *2008 Mumbai attacks*. This framing has justified *India*’s refusal of third-party mediation on *Kashmir*, diminished the legitimacy of the *Kashmiri freedom movement* by labeling it as *Pakistan*-backed terrorism, and fostered hostility within *India* to block peace initiatives. The *May 2025 military standoff*, triggered by *India*’s *Operation Sindoor*—missile strikes on *Pakistan* in retaliation for an *April 22* terrorist attack in *Indian-administered Kashmir* killing *26 people*—escalated with *Pakistan*’s *Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos*, involving drone warfare, before a *US-brokered ceasefire*. *India* historically influenced *Bangladesh* under *Sheikh Hasina*’s *Awami League* to maintain anti-*Pakistan* policies, including controversial *war crimes trials* targeting pro-*Pakistan* elements. However, *Hasina*’s ousting in *August 2024* due to protests and military intervention led to *Bangladesh* asserting independence, rebuilding ties with *Pakistan* through trade and diplomacy, challenging *India*’s dominance. The article argues that *India*’s strategy of isolating *Pakistan* and leveraging neighbors fuels instability, urging *India* to honor the *Delhi Agreement* through *confidence-building measures*, *diplomatic channels*, *trade restoration*, and *third-party mediation* to promote regional unity and peace based on mutual respect. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: The *1974 Delhi Agreement* aimed for *South Asian* reconciliation, but *India*’s dominance, anti-*Pakistan* narrative, and influence over *Bangladesh* under *Hasina* have fueled instability. The *May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict* over a *Kashmir attack* highlights fragile peace. Post-*Hasina*, *Bangladesh* is rebuilding ties with *Pakistan*, challenging *India*. *India* must honor the *Delhi Agreement* with *diplomacy* and *cooperation* for regional stability. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Reopen Diplomatic Channels* Establish regular *India-Pakistan* dialogues to address *Kashmir* and other disputes peacefully. ## *2. Restore Trade Relations* Revive *India-Pakistan* and *Pakistan-Bangladesh* trade to boost economic cooperation. ## *3. Allow Third-Party Mediation* Engage *UN* or neutral mediators to facilitate *Kashmir* and regional conflict resolutions. ## *4. Promote Confidence-Building Measures* Implement *military* and *diplomatic* steps to reduce tensions and build trust. ## *5. Respect Regional Sovereignty* *India* should avoid influencing neighbors like *Bangladesh* against *Pakistan*. ## *6. Recommit to Delhi Agreement* Honor the *1974 Delhi Agreement*’s spirit for reconciliation and cooperation. ## *7. Counter Terrorism Narratives* *India* should refrain from framing *Pakistan* as a terrorism sponsor to foster dialogue. ## *8. Strengthen SAARC Cooperation* Revitalize *SAARC* for regional economic and strategic unity. ## *9. Support Bangladesh’s Independence* Encourage *Bangladesh*’s neutral foreign policy to balance *India-Pakistan* relations. ## *10. Focus on Shared Interests* Prioritize *economic* and *environmental* collaboration over rivalry for *South Asian* prosperity. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *1974 Delhi Agreement* signed between *Pakistan*, *India*, and *Bangladesh* for reconciliation. - *May 2025* military standoff: *India*’s *Operation Sindoor* targeted *Pakistan* after *April 22* attack in *Kashmir* killed *26 people*. - *Pakistan*’s *Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos* involved drone warfare in response. - *US-brokered ceasefire* ended the *2025 conflict*. - *Sheikh Hasina* ousted in *August 2024* due to protests and military intervention. - *Kargil War* and *2008 Mumbai attacks* amplified *India*’s anti-*Pakistan* narrative. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *1971 war* led to *Bangladesh*’s creation, followed by the *Delhi Agreement* (*Al Jazeera*, 2025).[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/14/what-did-india-and-pakistan-gain-and-lose-in-their-military-standoff) - *India* suspended *Indus Waters Treaty* post-*2025 conflict* (*Al Jazeera*, 2025).[](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/20/uneasy-india-pakistan-ceasefire-holds-but-is-a-return-to-war-inevitable) - *Pakistan* claimed to down *six Indian jets* in *2025* (*Al Jazeera*, 2025).[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/29/ceasefire-holds-as-india-pakistan-tensions-shift-to-diplomacy) - *SAARC trade* is *$23 billion*, far below *$67 billion* potential (*World Bank*, 2025).[](https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-pakistan-bangladesh-nepal-saarc-trade-south-asia-asean-10017522/) - *Bangladesh*’s *Awami League* banned under anti-terror laws in *2025* (*Foreign Policy*, 2025).[](https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/14/india-pakistan-crisis-disinformation-media/) - *1,400* deaths reported in *Bangladesh* protests leading to *Hasina*’s ousting (*UN*, 2025).[](https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/14/india-pakistan-crisis-disinformation-media/) # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What was the purpose of the 1974 Delhi Agreement?* A. Military alliance *B. Regional reconciliation* C. Trade agreement D. Nuclear disarmament ### 2. *What triggered the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict?* A. Border dispute *B. April 22 Kashmir attack* C. Trade embargo D. Diplomatic fallout ### 3. *What was India’s military operation in May 2025 called?* A. Operation Bunyan *B. Operation Sindoor* C. Operation Kashmir D. Operation Peace ### 4. *Who was ousted from Bangladesh’s leadership in August 2024?* A. Yunus *B. Sheikh Hasina* C. Modi D. Sharif ### 5. *What narrative has India pushed against Pakistan since the Kargil War?* A. Economic rival *B. Terrorism sponsor* C. Military ally D. Peace advocate # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Antagonist* (مخالف) – Opponent or adversary 2. *Reconciliation* (مصالحت) – Restoring friendly relations 3. *Perpetuate* (جاری رکھنا) – Make continue indefinitely 4. *Fragmentation* (ٹکڑوں میں تقسیم) – Breaking into parts 5. *Skirmishes* (جھڑپیں) – Minor fights or conflicts 6. *Ceasefire* (جنگ بندی) – Temporary halt in fighting 7. *Arbitration* (ثالثی) – Mediation to resolve disputes 8. *Legitimacy* (جواز) – Lawfulness or authenticity 9. *Maneuver* (چال) – Strategic move or action 10. *Assert* (زور دینا) – Confidently state or claim 11. *Ousting* (برخاستگی) – Forcible removal from power 12. *Cultivating* (فروغ دینا) – Promoting or developing 13. *Diplomatic* (سفارتی) – Related to diplomacy 14. *Posturing* (دکھاوا) – Behavior to impress or mislead 15. *Confidence-building* (اعتماد سازی) – Actions to foster trust 16. *Instability* (عدم استحکام) – Lack of stability 17. *Mediation* (ثالثی) – Intervention to resolve conflict 18. *Grievances* (شکایات) – Complaints or resentments 19. *Dominance* (غلبہ) – Control or authority 20. *Cooperation* (تعاون) – Working together for common goals 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *tribune.com.pk* *India’s role in South Asia: time to honour Delhi Agreement* *Durdana Najam* *8–10 minutes* The depiction of Pakistan as a perpetual antagonist gained momentum after the Kargil War the writer is a public policy analyst based in lahore she can be reached at durdananajam1 gmail com The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at [email protected] print-news Listen to article South Asia, with its intertwined histories and complex relationships, remains one of the most volatile regions in the world. The 1974 Delhi Agreement, signed between Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, was envisioned as a step towards lasting reconciliation, one that would help the nations move beyond historical grievances and forge a path toward cooperation. However, decades later, rather than fostering regional stability, India has positioned itself as the dominant power, often at the expense of Pakistan. From perpetuating the terrorism narrative to influencing Bangladesh's policy against Pakistan, India's approach has largely contributed to the fragmentation of South Asian unity. The latest military standoff between India and Pakistan, which erupted in May 2025, was yet another reminder of the fragile peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The conflict began after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, citing retaliation for an April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead. Pakistan denied any involvement, but India proceeded with Operation Sindoor, targeting alleged militant infrastructure deep within Pakistani territory. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, striking Indian military sites in a show of force. The skirmishes escalated further, with both sides engaging in drone warfare, marking a new chapter in their military confrontations. The conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire, but the damage - both physical and diplomatic - was already done. The depiction of Pakistan as a perpetual antagonist gained momentum after the Kargil War, when India aggressively pushed the idea that Pakistan was solely responsible for regional instability. Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, this narrative reached new heights, with India successfully framing Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism in international forums. This rhetoric served multiple purposes. Firstly, it justified India's refusal to engage in third-party mediation over Kashmir, despite Pakistan's repeated calls for international arbitration. Secondly, it enabled India to diminish the legitimacy of the Kashmiri freedom movement, recasting it as a product of Pakistan-based extremism rather than a genuine struggle for self-determination. Thirdly, it created an atmosphere in India that fostered hostility, ensuring that any peace initiatives would be met with suspicion or outright rejection by the Indian public. Beyond its own borders, India actively exported this narrative to Bangladesh, a country with historical grievances against Pakistan dating back to 1971. India played a significant role in ensuring that Bangladesh remained firmly within its sphere of influence, cultivating an anti-Pakistan sentiment that has led to strained relations between Dhaka and Islamabad. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government, Bangladesh increasingly aligned itself with India's position. One of the most visible manifestations of this was the controversial war crimes trials that had targeted pro-Pakistan elements. However, the political landscape in Bangladesh underwent a dramatic transformation in 2024 when mass protests and military intervention led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. The uprising, fueled by public dissatisfaction with her government's authoritarian policies and economic mismanagement, culminated in her exile to India. With Hasina gone, Bangladesh has taken significant steps to mend its relations with Pakistan, marking a new chapter in regional diplomacy. The new Bangladeshi leadership has actively sought to rebuild ties with Islamabad, recognising the mutual benefits of economic and strategic cooperation. Trade agreements have been revisited, diplomatic channels reopened, and a renewed sense of partnership has emerged. This shift has not only strengthened Pakistan-Bangladesh relations but has also challenged India's long-standing influence over Dhaka. India's influence over Bangladesh was evident in its support for Hasina's government, particularly in the controversial war crimes trials that targeted pro-Pakistan elements. India actively encouraged Bangladesh to distance itself from Pakistan, reinforcing the idea that Pakistan was the perpetual antagonist in South Asia. Moreover, India's economic and military dominance left Bangladesh with little room to maneuver independently. Trade agreements, defence collaborations and diplomatic pressure ensured that Bangladesh remained within India's sphere of influence, often at the expense of its relations with Pakistan. However, with Hasina's removal, Bangladesh has begun to assert its independence, signaling a shift away from India's shadow. India's strategy of isolating Pakistan and asserting its dominance in South Asia has reached a breaking point. The recent military conflict demonstrated that Pakistan is capable of defending itself, and India's aggressive posturing has only fueled instability. The Delhi Agreement was meant to foster cooperation, not perpetuate hostility. If India truly wishes to be a responsible regional power, it must abandon its antagonistic approach and engage in genuine dialogue. Confidence-building measures, such as reopening diplomatic channels, restoring trade relations and allowing third-party mediation, could pave the way for a more stable South Asia. Instead of using neighbouring countries as a tool to weaken Pakistan, India should encourage regional unity based on mutual respect and shared economic interests. India's role in South Asia has largely been defined by its desire for dominance. By fueling anti-Pakistan sentiment and leveraging neighbouring countries as a tool for regional influence, India has perpetuated instability rather than fostering cooperation. The time has come for India to rethink its strategy and embrace diplomacy over aggression. Honouring the 1974 Delhi Agreement would be a step in the right direction — one that acknowledges the shared history of South Asia while paving the way for a future built on peace and mutual respect. The region's prosperity depends not on rivalry, but on the ability of its leaders to recognise that cooperation, not conflict, is the way forward.