Understanding the Nexus between Traditional Security and Human Security through Indo-Bangla Relations

Abstract

Security is of profound importance to state and humans alike. The concept of security can be defined as absence of threat. Security was seen primarily in terms of state security and national power, the state as the single actor to ensure her own survival in the International system relying on the state's military might. Yet today security transcends the concept of power and has shifted from solely a state centric traditional security focus to a human focus as Human Security, thus not limiting security to state alone but extends to the citizens of the state, people centric and focusing on eliminating "human insecurities" while attempting at ensuring the human rights aspect as well. It is in this light that this study has been undertaken and seeks to examine the nexus between "Traditional Security" and "Human Security" taking into consideration the geo-political relations between India and Bangladesh. The common view is that traditional security and human security are two separate areas, yet there is also another notion in today's context that traditional security and human security are very much two sides of the same coin, and cannot be eliminated one over the other. The focus of the study - is based on the ambiguity and looks at today's state of affairs in the international system through a "Realists' les" as opposed to an "Idealists" understanding of state of affairs. Objectives - general and specific - To examine and establish the nexus between the traditional security and the human security by examining security approaches of India and Bangladesh in the present-day context. Specific - to examine the history of Indo-Bangla relations, to examine the India's approach to security and her attitude towards Bangladesh, to examine whether there is a threat to Bangladesh from India-actual or perceived, to examine as to how Bangladesh is countering the threats posed by India, to examine the Bangladesh's general approach to security, to examine, if the Bangladesh's approach to security could be endured in the face of India's dominating posture. Methodology - The study/research would be carried out by analyzing the existing literature by subjecting the existing literature to qualitative analysis, a qualitative in nature. Empirical studies carried out by scholars, organizations such UN and affiliated bodies would be made use of. Qualitative data would be collected from well-informed individuals: such as academics and policy makers. The method of data collection from this group would be semi-structured interviews done on informal basis. Conclusion - In the light of contemporary understanding security, human security issues in Bangladesh have been subject to extensive investigation within Bangladesh thus research will be focused on to find out the influence of her neighbor India from a strategic affairs perspective. From that perspective this study stand in a unique position and it is believed that the effort would contribute to the existing body of knowledge.