Kathmandu, Nepal – Over a decade ago, renowned American scholar and former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye remarked that “global power is shifting towards Asia.” The widely echoed sentiment that “the 21st century is Asia’s century” sparked hopes of a bright, prosperous future, especially for South Asia—a region long marred by internal and external conflicts. Many believed that peace, security, and economic growth would finally redefine South Asia’s trajectory.
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However, the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India—which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national—has brought back painful reminders of the region’s volatile past. The Indian government responded on May 7 with “Operation Sindoor,” targeting alleged terrorist hideouts across the border in Pakistan. Pakistan, on the other hand, denies any involvement in the attack, sparking fresh tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This escalation has plunged the region into uncertainty, raising global alarm about where the conflict might lead. History has shown that South Asia is no stranger to prolonged unrest: Sri Lanka’s civil war with the Tamil Tigers (1983–2009), Nepal’s Maoist conflict (1996–2006), the Khalistani movement in India, decades of insurgency and foreign interventions in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s Baloch insurgency are only a few examples.
After 2010, many hoped South Asia had turned a corner, moving towards peace and economic integration. But hopes have steadily eroded. In 2021, the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul once again destabilized Afghanistan and disrupted SAARC, the region’s most significant cooperative platform. Afghanistan remains diplomatically isolated, with no formal recognition of the Taliban 2.0 government.
Global events have also spilled into South Asia. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine saw South Asian nationals—including Nepalis, Indians, and Pakistanis—dying on distant battlefields while fighting for Russia. On October 7, 2023, 10 Nepali students were killed in the Hamas attacks on Israel. One Nepali, Bipin Joshi, remains held captive. These tragedies reflect how violence and conflict affect South Asians both within and beyond the region.
Now, renewed military tension between India and Pakistan risks plunging the region back into instability. The promise of an “Asian Century” feels increasingly out of reach for South Asia if conflict continues to overshadow cooperation.
The time has come for South Asian nations to act decisively. The region already has a framework in place: SAARC’s Anti-Terrorism Mechanism. At the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu (April 2010), member states unanimously condemned terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to combating it in all forms. The 2009 Ministerial Declaration on Terrorism further emphasized the need for regional unity and mutual action.
This is a crucial moment for South Asia. Countries in the region must work not as rival powers but as a united force. Trust, dialogue, and a shared security agenda are essential to move beyond recurring cycles of violence. The dream of the Asian Century should not exclude South Asia—but achieving that dream depends entirely on whether the region chooses collaboration over confrontation.
If we fail to unite now, the Asian Century may arrive—but leave South Asia behind.
The writer is a Foreign Affairs Journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
