THE GEOPOLITICS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN SOUTH ASIA: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PATHWAYS

Abstract

South Asia has quite a bit of mineral wealth such as coal, copper, gold, rare earth elements (REEs), gemstones, and graphite, limestone and mineral fuels. There are great economic, industrial and geopolitical opportunities from these resources in the global clean-energy transition. But problems of poor governance, political instability, environmental pressure and regional rivalries confront the region. This research investigates the mineral potential in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan; it explores the geo-political significance of mineral resources in these nations; and analyses development challenges and way-forward for sustainable and co-operative management of mineral resources. The work encompasses current literature, reports on regional policies, and a geopolitical framework to give a comprehensive understanding of the minerals of South Asia.