| Heterogeneity in religious culture sometime creates | | | | in fact if not in law, and a recurrence of communal |
| serious problems in South Asia. In terms of number | | | | violence in either country could undermine relations |
| of followers, Hinduism has the largest number of | | | | between New Delhi and Dhaka. Cross-border religious |
| followers, with Islam and Buddhism being the two | | | | links in South Asia create suspicion and friction |
| other major faiths. Although a strong secular | | | | between majorities and minorities within states rather |
| movement was launched by the Indian and many | | | | than bonds between the countries. So the communal |
| other South Asian governments, it failed to minimize | | | | relations in South Asia necessarily possess a majority- |
| cultural gaps among the various religions. Most | | | | minority dimension cutting across national boundaries. |
| prominent clashes between religious groups seem to | | | | The dynamics of Hindu-Muslim relations in the |
| involve Hindus and Muslims, or one Muslim sect | | | | Sub-continent directly impinge upon the |
| against another, or Sikhs and Hindus, or Buddhists and | | | | state-to-state relations. |
| Hindus. Relations between the two most powerful | | | | In view of the above it is evident that different |
| states of South Asia, India and Pakistan, have been | | | | ethnic groups in the region sometimes create |
| greatly complicated by religious factors. Clashes | | | | insurgency problems in South Asia. This is one of the |
| between Sri Lanka's Buddhist Sinhalese majority and | | | | reasons of mistrust among the South Asian states. |
| the predominant Hindu Tamil minority have destroyed | | | | For example, India blames Bangladesh for providing |
| the peace not only in the island state, but also to | | | | arms to Indian ethnic groups who are fighting for |
| some extent in India. Pakistan continues to proclaim it | | | | autonomy. On the other hand, Bangladesh blames |
| an Islamic state (there are virtually no Hindu left in | | | | India for giving shelter and arms to Bangladeshi |
| the country). India is officially secular, although about | | | | insurgents. Ethnic crises between Tamil and Sinhalese |
| 11 percent of India's population is Muslim. Hindus | | | | creates problem between Sri Lanka and India. It is |
| comprise 13% of Bangladesh's population. The | | | | common belief in Sri Lanka that Indian support for |
| minorities in both countries are discriminated against, | | | | Tamil people has created this ethnic crisis. |