10 November, 2011

IT has been a rather steep climb for the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation to the 17th summit in the Maldives. The organisation has been repeatedly dubbed as ineffective, and there has been criticism questioning its very existence. Saarc is a group of countries that are often found competing for international business and favours. The Bangladeshi blocking of the European Union move to give concessions to Pakistani textiles just days ahead of the Maldives summit is a case in point. The feeling, however, is that it is about time that Saarc found a common idiom to debate common issues, and as per global routine, the belief is that the language of trade and a hugely empowered moderator in the US will ultimately bring the eight South Asian countries together.

Its members increasingly beholden to the superpower, Saarc is finally showing signs that it is capable of making some positive contribution towards improving ties. Reports say the two-day summit is expected to produce four pacts on regional cooperation that include one for creating a seed bank to boost agricultural productivity and another for setting up a rapid action force to combat natural disasters. India is going to push for trade liberalisation, and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani`s emphasis on cooperation on the rail, road and sea route does indicate that Islamabad would be receptive to New Delhi`s ideas on boosting business among Saarc countries.

Faithful to the summit theme — Building Bridges — Mr Gilani was upbeat when he left for the Maldives on Wednesday. His keenness was backed by evidence on the ground as he pointed out that it was the warming of ties between Pakistan and India which had reinvigorated Saarc. The year 2011 has been marked by developments that have led New Delhi to declare that its trust deficit with Islamabad was shrinking. The latest development has been Pakistan`s decision to recognise India as most favoured nation (MFN). With regional trade as the most important item on the Saarc agenda and the organisation`s utility so dependent on the Pakistan-India equation, this must be taken as a good omen for South Asian cooperation. But it is one that needs to be carefully kept alive by protecting it against dangers, the most potent of which emanates from terrorism. Just as they are today inclined to have a force against natural disasters, it would be in sync with the times if the chief executives of the eight Saarc countries, who have gathered together for the summit, were to seriously discuss the idea of a joint defence against terrorism.

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what humbugs we r,who pretend to live for beauty and never see the dawn :)