BIG GAME IN BALOCHISTAN

Authors

  • Pavlo M. Ignatiev Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Oleksandr V. Sakharenko

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17721/apmv.2016.128.0.4-16

Abstract

The peculiarities of political and economic situation in the historical region of Balochistan that is divided between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are analyzed in this article.

Due to specifics of its geographical position, poor soils and water scarcity, lands of Baloch people remain the least populated and the poorest in all aforementioned countries. This leads to insufficient attention of all three respective governments to the development of local communities that creates a basis for radicalism and separatism supported by ethnic and confessional differences.

On the other hand, the area of Balochistan still holds a promise of development due to its strategic location between borders of different countries, long stretches of coastline in Pakistan and Iran, considerable mineral resources of coal, natural gas, iron ore and marble. It is argued that three states should provide Baloch minorities with a just share of profits after sale of their commodities, limit migration of empoverished people from other regions and respect human rights. It is proved in the article that the implementation of those recommendations will put to rest the issue of separatism.

Author Biographies

  • Pavlo M. Ignatiev, Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
    Doctor of Political Science, Professor of the Department of Country Studies
  • Oleksandr V. Sakharenko
    Ph.D. in Political Science

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Published

2017-02-21