The Politics of Belonging: Regional Identities, Globalization and South Asia

Authors

  • Tohid Ahmad Department of Pakistan Studies, Government College University, Faisalabad Pak

Keywords:

Identity, South Asia, Globalisation, Community, Politics, Ethnicity, Culture, Homoginize, Language, Religion, Traditions

Abstract

The region South Asia is a diverse region enriched with multiple layers of identities with respect to ethnicity, culture, language and religion. The region has been identified as a single geographical entity despite its diversity. This paper argues that the narrative of singular identity for the whole region does undermine its diversity. This also means to ignore the regional identities and belongingness. The paper also argues that globalization has been a double-edged sword for cultural identities in South Asia. It has not only exposed local cultures to global influences, sometimes diluting traditional practices and accelerating cultural homogenization, where the global culture can undermine the local culture. In South Asia, the diverse cultural landscape is richly textured by individual and community narratives that are essential to understanding the broader regional identity. Thus, to understand the region, it is important to value and understand this diversity.

Published

2026-03-06