However, it will be unfair to categorically deny some of its achievements. In a region of perennial hostility among the nations, simply establishing a platform where all leaders gather and discuss the matter of mutual interests is not an easy task. Establishment of different mechanisms at ministerial, secretarial and technical committee levels has provided ample opportunities for discussion and implementation of programs of common interest. Moreover, signing of various agreements and conventions in different fields, ranging from combating terrorism to promoting the welfare of the women and children, are also among the positive outcomes of SAARC.
Similarly, establishment of regional centers and strengthening people-to-people contact are the other noteworthy achievements. Its emphasis on poverty alleviation, combating climate change, establishment of SAARC Development Fund and enhanced emphasis on better connectivity can’t be ignored either. Furthermore, operation of SAFTA with a long-term vision of South Asian Economic Union gives us an inkling of what is possible.
But these steps alone would not be sufficient to meet the needs of one-fifth of humanity. The leaders know where the problems lie but lack the guts to rise above the boundary of petty national interests. The concept of regionalism is defeated when the boundaries imposed by national interests are bolstered.
Bilateral agreements between the nations in the region are hindrance to achieving the overall vision of SAARC. The high number of items classified as ‘sensitive’ and high tariffs and other non-tariff barriers undermines the very concept of SAFTA.
The negligible intra-regional trade among nations even after such a long period of SAARC’s existence raises a question mark over its economic integration. In an age of instant information, people of SAARC have every reason to feel dismayed when they compare its efficacy with other such organizations like ASEAN and EU, the two regional blocks that have been able to turn themselves into economic powerhouses.
SAARC has the potential to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the region. But only if the commitments could be translated into action.
On the other hand, the SAARC region continues to house the maximum number of poor people in the world and is rife with unemployment, menace of terrorism and climate change challenges, among other things. Although the geo-political and socio-cultural dimensions of EU are quite different to those of SAARC, the snail´s pace at which it is progressing promises very little for the people of this region.
The perpetual animosity, especially between the two big countries of the region, India and Pakistan, has rendered it incapable of moving forward in a positive direction. When an atmosphere of trust is established between these two, positive outcomes are inevitable. Some analysts believe that in the beginning India was not interested in joining SAARC, but sensing its isolation which might lead to the ganging up of other nations against its interests, it joined the block, albeit hesitantly.
Moreover, the geography, population, economy and military strength of India also contribute in instilling suspicion among other nations. Hence, as one political analyst suggests, India should quickly learn to stoop to conquer in order to generate a feeling of confidence among its neighbors. At the same time, other nations should be equally sympathetic to the genuine concerns of India. For the prospect of SAARC largely hinges on the attitude of India.
India should show that its heart is as big as its size when it comes to enhancing the lives of the people throughout the region. As geography has inextricably bound these countries together, looking beyond SAARC before exploring regional initiatives is in the interest of no one.
From the very beginning SAARC has been considered as a club where promises and declarations are made without any urgency to implement them. There are various instances where the same types of short-sighted decisions are made time and again without reviewing the implementation of past decisions. Reasonable promises and commitment to translate written agreements into action is the need of the hour.
While preexisting bilateral problems are a hindrance, the SAARC charter provision that no bilateral issues can be raised at the Summit is also not helping resolve contentious issues. If genuine issues are brushed under the carpet, how will we create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation in the region?
Similarly, consensus-decision making procedure has been more a liability rather an asset to the effective functioning of SAARC. Now, interestingly, the number of observers at SAARC is greater than the number of member states in the region, giving a false impression that SAARC is more interested in publicity rather than genuine business. Ideally, meetings between heads of states and governments should be called as and when necessary instead of waiting for the annual ritual of the summit, with adequate power delegated to the council of ministers and standing committees. The SAARC secretariat too needs to be well equipped and given more power in order to enhance its effectiveness.
Now is the time to effectively implement the provisions agreed upon in the recently concluded summit in the Maldives. The current state of affairs indicates that we are incompetent, both individually and collectively. Concrete actions are needed to prove the SAARC critics wrong.
Bhattarai is with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
bishal2u@hotmail.com
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