Table Of ContentPeace and
Development
'Peace and Development' is the fourth in series of
Haksar Memorial Volumes, planned by the Centre
for Research in Rural and Industrial Development
(CRRID), Chandigarh, as its regular publication
activity. The volume is based on the deliberations of
a weeklong International Conference organized by
CRRID, from 4-11 November 2006. It puts together
a number of papers presented by eminent scholars,
experts, diplomats, and administrators from India,
Bangladesh, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel,
Italy, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian
Federation Slovakia, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Sudan and Vietnam.
The publication reflects different dimensions of
Peace And Development in the contemporary
world. It not only addresses threats to Peace And
Development in an era of changing national
interests and relationships among the countries,
but also reflects over ways of consolidating all this
through democratic governance, decentralization
and other measures as a source of growth and
stability.
This volume is a very veritable source of information
for scholars, practitioners of development,
diplomats and peace activists for a comprehensive
and thorough global view of contemporary issues.
Price: Rs.795/- US$40
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Peace and Development
HAKSAR MEMORIAL VOLUME IV
Papers presented at the Fifth Haksar Memorial
Seminar-cum-Lecture Series on Peace and Development
organized by CRRID from 4-11 November 2006
Edited by
Subrata Banerjee
Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development
Sector 19-A, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-160 019 (INDIA) Grams: CRRID
Published by
Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development
Sector 19-A, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-160 019 (INDIA) Grams: CRRID
ISBN : 81-85835-52-7
© CRRID
November 2007
All Rights Reserved
Price Rs. 795/- US$ 40
Printed by:
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At Chandika Press Pvt. Ltd.
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Preface
T
jLhis volume is fourth in the series brought out in the revered memory of
late Shri P.N. Haksar. It is an outcome of the weeklong Seminar-cum-
Lectures organized by the CRRID from 7th to 14th November, 2006 on the
theme of 'Peace and Development'. The conference was attended by a
galaxy of intellectuals, policy makers and strategists across the globe. In
addition to 68 participants from India, as many as 34 delegates from 21
countries, made their presence and impact felt. The salient message of the
deliberations was that peace and development have a symbiotic affiliation.
Conflicts between and within nations have a cascading effect on entire
economy as well as ecology at large. By staunching the morale of a country,
hurting harmony at the societal level, and de-energizing the individuals,
these conflicts rubbish the scope for any development.
This volume gains immense significance and strength from the
inclusion of a powerful contribution by Shri Inder Kumar Gujral, former
Prime Minister of India and one of the leading intellectuals of the country. In
his comprehensive and insightful paper, Gujral effectively touches upon the
complex and sensitive realities of the world from grassroots level to the
international.
One solemn feature of this volume may be underlined; its editing
was taken upon by late Shri Subrata Banerjee, who was Mr. Haksar's
comrade, great admirer and close associate for more than half-a-century. He
had the distinction of editing the earlier three volumes, brought out again in
the memory of late Shri P.N. Haksar. The present volume may perhaps be
received with a profound feeling of nostalgia by all in reverence to Shri
Subrata Banerjee who left for the heavenly abode on 24th October, 2007 at
Washington DC. He was preparing for his journey back home to India. The
destiny made him choose an unknown destination. He will be remembered
in all fondness for his courage of conviction, competence, consistency, and
above all, intellectual integrity and professional capability.
Shri Subrata Banerjee had made two promises, one to bring out a
book on Punjab, which came out recently, and second to finish the editing of
this volume. He fulfilled both the promises. The ’Introductory' chapter
penned by him in this volume is a testimony to his profound scholarship
ii
and sensitivity to issues pertinent to humankind at large. Though this
volume is being brought out in the memory of late Shri P.N. Haksar yet it is
dedicated to late Shri Subrata Banjeree.
The perfection and meticulousness with which late Subrata da, as
affectionately addressed by us all, would have ensured the bringing out of
this publication presented a challenge to Professor Gopal Krishan, who had
the privilege of working closely with him. For the past some years.
Professor Gopal Krishan has been ably editing International Quarterly
'Man and Development' and has the distinction of editing a prestigious
volume on 'Vitality of India, besides other professional publications. He has
worked hard with his small team, comprising Suman Khosla assisted by
Vinati Bhargava Mittal, to give finishing touches to this publication.
In our irreparable loss of a mentor-cum-guide-cum-friend, the
whole family of CRRID joins me in offering our reverential regards to
Subrata da. He had the elegance of not only editing all the Haksar Memorial
Volumes, but also structuring the publication programmes of CRRID in a
highly professional manner. His vision and style will always propel us in
excelling our efforts towards perfection in carrying forward the task of
publication.
The volume assumes special significance for it is being released by a
greatly adored former colleague and friend Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Hon'ble
Vice-President of India. He is also delivering the Memorial Lecture in the
memory of late Shri P.N. Haksar on November 30,2007. The lecture is being
followed by a two-day conference on 'Legacy of Nehru: The Making of
India'. Through the publication of the proceedings, there will be a lot more
new to share with the global audience.
Rashpal Malhotra
Director-General, CRRID
Introduction
JLhis Centre was born of the consciousness of the need to go beyond
collection and analysis of data of rural and industrial development as
thrown up by field research. We felt that it was necessary to analyse and
examine critically the entire complex processes of building a modern
industrial society on the foundations of a backward colonial economy. It
demanded looking into issues of social and cultural transformation and the
development of a scientific temper. Our rich experience soon made us
realize that domestic social tensions and conflict relations with neighbours
hamper and even distort the processes of development. Financial and
scientific and technological resources have to be diverted to the demands of
domestic and national security. In an increasingly interdependent world
wars beyond our borders and the consequent growing expenditure on
weapons of mass destruction and associated research deprive us of
adequate economic assistance. Thus, over the years our interests have
expanded to cover a much wider canvas of what Shri P.N. Haksar defined as
'conditions of humanity' and the search for a 'plural humanist world'. This is
how we are now involved in conflict resolutions and peace and
development, by regularly providing space for exchange of experiences
and ideas on co-operation among nations for peace and development.
This is the rationale for the international conferences that we have
been holding for some time now. The source of inspiration has been Shri
Haksar. The first such conference that he initiated was in January 1983.
Understandably it addressed our immediate concerns. The theme was
'South Asia, Stability and Regional Co-operation'. As a first effort there was
no attempt to involve foreign participation. The next one was more
ambitious. The theme was 'Co-operative Development and Peace in Asia'.
This was in March 1997. The Asian region was well represented and there
were very fruitful discussions. This was the last conference held on the
initiative of Shri P.N. Haksar, who passed away the following year. We have
since decided to carry on this programme of domestic and international
conferences annually as a continuation of the work he had started and in his
memory.
The International Conference on Peace and Development, held on
7-14 November 2006 at our campus in Chandigarh, was really a very
representative one. Senior academics and economic and political analysts
IV
participated in the very lively and stimulating discussions. They came from
Western Europe, countries of Eastern Europe and Georgia busy building
capitalism, Israel, Communist China and Vietnam engaged in the
challenging experiment of implementing Lenin's New Economic Policy in
the current world situation, Japan, South Korea seeking new space for itself,
and of course our neighbours Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The atmosphere of cordiality and warmth that prevailed, despite occasional
sharp differences, left our friends from Western Europe agreeably
surprised. There was a great deal of interaction at the individual level
during the meal breaks. Personally I benefitted from them very much.
I have no intention of trying to summarize the deliberations of each
of the sessions in a few sentences, as it would be an exercise in futility. I
would rather try to put down my thoughts evoked by the deliberations at
the Conference. It will naturally be a very personal response. I hope,
however, that in the process I will be able to cover the major issues
discussed. Eminent historian Eric Hobsbawm has characterized the
twentieth century as The Age of Extremes'. It would appear that present is
a continuation of the past, only some of the players have changed. Human
history is the inspiring story of change towards a better world. Of course,
the definition of this better world changes from time to time. Those very
instruments of extremes are at the same time forces of revolutionary
economic, political, social and cultural change. Dominance of finance
capital, advances in science and technology, the revolution in information
technology and the unchallenged economic and military strength of the
USA, and the political influence born of it, constitute an element of the
continuation of ’Extremes' in a more concentrated and centralized, and
hence, a more aggressive form. In combination, these diverse developments
have brought to the fore the question of human survival itself. At the same
time, the very forces sustaining this element of 'Extremes' are creating
conditions for the development of a very wide-based countervailing force,
going well beyond the narrow interpretation of the Marxian concept of
class, in search of a better world.
Every revolution in information technology has extended
democracy and created conditions for social change. The IT revolution
today has created an explosion in human consciousness, triggering an
explosion in human aspirations, beyond the confines of the 'economic man',
adding new dimensions to the very concept of development. Not merely
agriculture and industry, education and health and employment and a
higher standard of living, but a whole range of other issues, such as
