Political economy of India in the South Asian context

Abstract

This paper explores in the first three sections the political economy of development in a chronological order. The next three are devoted to political issues that have reached threatening proportions in the recent past, almost paralyzing the political process. The most serious challenge since independence to the integrity of the country was triggered off by the destruction of the 465-year-old Babri Masjid by the Hindu fundamentalists on 6 December 1992. It is in this context that the question of South Asian co-operation in a world increasingly segmented into rival trade blocks, is explored at the end.