Topic: Containing and De-Escalating Sectarian Conflict
Country: India
Delegate Name: Joseph Allen
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All India position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Greeting esteemed delegates. It is of great pleasure to share the following session time together, and the Republic of India looks forward to pursuing solutions to the various problems of the global community today. In life, our differences, both politically and socially, can seem to divide and orient each other against one another; however, we must look beyond the mere constructs that have been set forth by previous generations when the time for compromise and effective change presents itself. While the topic of addressing the multifaceted issue of sectarian conflicts may seem daunting at first, a deeper look at the root causes of such conflicts elucidates the fact that the underlying causes are not all that different.
In areas across the globe, under representation of minority groups has led to an unprecedented amount of conflicts: in South America, civil unrest has been growing due to discrimination and historical exploitation; in Turkey the Kurdish peoples have suffered under representation which has led to violence between Turks and Kurds; in neighboring Pakistan the failure to allocate goods and proper government from former West Pakistan to what is modern day Bangladesh has led to civil war in the past; even the Republic of India cannot claim to be free of under representation in the past. Before the split of colonial India into Pakistan and India, Muslims in India were treated as second-class citizens and the impact of such policies were the eventual conflicts between India and Pakistan. However, a striking lesson can be learned from such a conflict: the Republic of India has gone to great lengths to normalize relations with Pakistan in the years following 1971. On both sides of the border, governments have worked hard to eliminate any potential differences that could erupt into a conflict like that which have occurred in so many other places. Numerous treaties have been signed, cross-border programs have been implemented, economies have cooperated, aid has been sent, and general council has been provided. While much remains to be done in order to fully normalize relations between our nation and Pakistan, substantial progress has been made.
Two of the largest goals set forth by the council of India at the United Nations’ 70th General Assembly Debate were combating terrorism and reducing world poverty. The solving of both of these issues goes hand-in-hand in discussing sectarian conflicts. Similar to under representation, poverty is a central cause of all conflicts. Socioeconomic strain by impoverished individuals often sparks conflicts which are nowhere near as prevalent as in wealthier nations. Similarly, terrorism is often a corollary to sectarian conflicts: the conflict in Syria provided a basis on which ISIS was partially founded. Thus, the Republic of India would strongly be in favor of a resolution that echoes a core principle of the United Nations: the reduction of poverty. By targeting the roots causes of sectarian conflicts, this committee can establish a powerful tool in the prevention of future conflicts.
In conclusion, the Republic of India desires that rather than being reactionary in our measures, we should strive to enact resolutions that work on a proactive basis, and combat conflicts before they even have a chance to begin.
