Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2008

India and its Neighbours: Do Economic Interests Have the Potential to Build Peace?

Charu Lata Hogg

November 2007

Chatham House

Abstract

The aim of this report is to conduct a preliminary investigation into the linkages between India's growing economic and political clout and its correlation, if any, to peace-building in South Asia, with particular emphasis on conflicts in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The report starts from the premise that India occupies a special position in the region, economically and politically. Owing to this unique position, India has a particular potential vocation to become the driving force for greater regional peace and prosperity. The analysis in this report supports the argument, recognized by many Indian policy-makers, that India's long-term prosperity hinges to some degree on a conflict-free neighbourhood; that an economically integrated region is in India's overall security interests.