SAARC Hope for economic and political collaboration in South ASia

SAARC: Hope for Economic and Political				hegemonic behavior. India regards South Asia
Collaboration in South Asia INTRODUCTION It				as its geo-political region of influence,
was the silent and enormous pressure of SAARC				without proclaiming a doctrine of influence,
that the stubborn Indian Government				she made it clear to the smaller states that
eventually succumbed to and conceded to				they must pay due regard to its security
attend the 12th SAARC Summit. Eventually, the				sensitivities. ?The neighbors complain that
12th SAARC Summit was successfully held in				pay scant regard to their security and at
Islamabad from 4 to 6 January 2004 in a				times does not mind trespassing on their
congenial atmosphere, not only gave a				sovereignty?. The political configuration of
replenish thrust and dynamism to the regional				south Asia presented a mosaic of weak states
association but also broke the log ? jam				in which Pakistan; the middle power appears
between Pakistan and India. It was guided by				to be the strongest of the weak. Thus it
the vision of peace and economic prosperity				always offered the main resistance to India?s
in South Asia and by being proud of its				ambition of domination in South Asian region.
culture and rich traditions. The member				It was followed by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,
states renewed their averred commitment to				two smaller and comparatively weak states.
the objectives of the Organisation and				Bangladesh gained independence only three
pledged to continue working towards promoting				decade ago with the active support of India.
political stability and economic prosperity				Their level of resistance to Indian
in the SAARC region. The current Chairman of				domination was much lower. Hence more often
SAARC, the Prime Minister of Pakistan termed				than not they tended to succumb to Indian
the summit as ?It is victory of neither				pressure, whether politico-military or
party; it is victory of poor people of South				economic. The next category is that of mini
Asia.? Regional diplomacy emerged triumphant				states, the weakest states in the region. Two
and prevailed and conflict vanished for the				of them are the Himalayans states of Nepal
time being. History has been made during				and Bhutan which are not only geographically
three days of SAARC Summit. It is the credit				landlocked but also politically India locked.
to Saarc statesman, leaders and people. It is				The third is Maldives a string of tiny
the victory of 1.4 billion people of South				islands in the Indian Ocean. These states
Asia. Few days ago the relations between two				have very little power to offset India?s
most important members of Saarc were at the				domination over them, and virtually no
peak of K2. Tensions between Pakistan and				ability to counter Indian sponsored order in
India have kept the growth potential of the				the region. No doubt they have desire to
region hostage for long. Better sense				check the Indian influence by extending
prevailed and the political dice got loaded				cordial relations with Pakistan and other
to promote peace. It is the victory of				extra regional powers. Prior to the
democratic forces and sagacity showed by the				establishment of SAARC south asia has
President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf that				witnessed four wars, the only states to be
this crucial summit happened. In fact,				dismembered since world war 11 through
Pakistan begged other members to participate				rebellion of one of its parts effectively
in the Summit only in the supreme interest of				aided by the interventionist army of
SAARCs existence. Hope has been ignited for				neighboring country . The political relations
the downtrodden masses of Saarc region. The				among the seven states at the time of
meeting of two arch rivals India and Pakistan				establishment of SAARC were marked more by
during SAARC summit was indeed a blessing for				mutual mistrust and non cooperation than by
the poverty ridden people of South Asia. The				good neighborliness. South Asia was
12th SAARC Summit was a great success, whose				strategically fragmented and divided, one of
main achievement was the delineation of a				the most heavily armed regions. The political
future course of action. The Islamabad				conditions were complicated by super power
Declaration, Social Charter, SAFTA Framework				rivalries. The inter state ethnic tensions
agreement and the Additional Protocol on				were meshed with domestic conflicts and
Terrorism will go a long way in promoting and				regional tensions. ?SAARC region does not
preserving meaningful regional cooperation				have to go outside their region to test? what
and economic development in SAARC region. The				Homer wrote in his epic the ?Odyssey? ?we are
strategic analysts are sanguine that milk and				quick to flare up, we races of men on the
honey would flow in the Indus, Ganges and				earth?. The south Asian states were
Bramputra rivers of South Asia. Whether their				politically unstable due factors such as
dream would come true or not? The interaction				regime illegitimacy, socio-economic,
of two important nuclear members of SAARC				religious and ethno linguistic tensions. This
will divulge the fact in due course of time.				political instability in turn retarded any
The scenario in South Asia prior to the				tangible initiative towards collective
summit was explosive. The world capitals were				regional security arrangement. ?The
anticipating nuclear war and exhorting India				constraints in the path of South Asian
and Pakistan to show restraint. The people of				politico-strategic order were many and
South Asia were terrified and apprehensive of				varied, these included internal political
their fate. The dark clouds were blown away				tension affecting the participating states,
by the visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal				the existence of a large number of complex
Behari Vajpayee. The people of south Asia got				and bilateral disputes and regional division
sigh of relief and cordially welcomed the				resulting from diverging external
holding of Summit. The 12th SAARC Summit in				orientations, alignment and perceptions?.
the beautiful city Islamabad had taken				India has been the major factor in
profound and bold steps to correct				perpetuating the differences against states
socio-economic imbalances, consolidate				rather than making genuine efforts to solve
political stability in the region and remove				them in the best interest of restoring peace
the stumbling bloc in the way of SAARC. The				in the region. The political disorder in
dynamic and effective SAARC is capable of				South Asia was due to her ?desire to become a
eliminating the ever increasing poverty from				great power implies, at the minimum, to
unfortunate SAARC region, which generates				acquire regional domination or hegemony and
less than 2% of world income, yet support 22%				military superiority over its neighbors
of world population and 44% of the world?s				through the spectrum of force This was one of
poor (those who earn less than a dollar a				India?s perceived role ?. The historical
day) and strive to diminish the ever				events and trends of Indian policies have not
increasing defence expenditure of member				been conducive to good relationship,
countries. According to Former Indian prime				resulting in diversities to the extent that
minister V P Singh a new ray of hope has been				fear and distrust have replaced the feeling
kindled in the relations between India and				of security and confidence in each other. No
Pakistan due the efforts of SAARC. The world				wonder, the region had earned the dubious
has recognized that the SAARC is the only Ray				distinction of being the only one in the
of Hope for downtrodden people of South Asia				world where until 85 there was no concept of
groaning under the ever increasing burden of				regional cooperation. The political relations
defence, debt and conflicting political				among South Asian states had been so
history. It was a historic Summit with the				distorted, fragile and unstable that even the
start of diplomacy between India and Pakistan				formal launching of SAARC through the first
at the highest level. The12th SAARC summit				summit meeting of seven South Asian heads of
proved as a crucial and turning point in the				states and governments held in December 85 in
tense geo-politics of South Asia. Since				Dhaka was viewed by many as symbolic rather
January 2000 when the 11th Saarc Summit was				than a step towards meaningful cooperation.
held at Katmandu, SAARC could not meet again				The estranged relations of India with its
at the Heads of Government?s level because of				neighbors have not only marred the
the usual impasse in India-Pakistan relations				socio-economic development in the region but
and reluctance of Indian leaders to interact				also retarded the spirit of regional
with a military ruler of Pakistan following				cooperation. DEPLORABLE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
overthrow of democratic government in				South Asia is unique in the world in having a
Pakistan. The SAARC Summit adopted positive				concentration of third world economic
and conducive measure to reduce ever				problems, at the forefront of which is the
increasing poverty, enhance vital economic				poverty of its population. There is no region
cooperation and procure its lofty objectives				more in need of the alleviation of the lot of
enshrined in the noble Charter. The aims and				its people than South Asia. By all indices of
objective of SAARC, if implemented in letter				economist, its people have been ranked as the
and spirit would dramatically transform the				poor and the region itself is the hard core
future of the 1.4 billion poverty ridden				world poverty. There was population explosion
people of south Asia, hitherto the peace,				in South Asia. This had to be seen against
cooperation and development of the South Asia				its size, which is 3 per cent of the land
have remained hostage to the exigencies of				area of world and its output was 2 percent,
mutual mistrust and conflict. The ASEAN				South Asia is although endowed with a range
Summit was held on 12 December 2003 at Tokyo				of natural resources especially minerals. The
Japan. The SAARC Summit was held after ASEAN.				quantity is approximately 1 per cent of the
All world masses saw that SAARC was one of				world resources. The distribution of these
the successful, crucial, and historic events				resources in the region is uneven with India
in the annals of international politics. No				having 90 per cent of natural resources and
body draw attention to ASEAN despite its				87 per cent of the cultivable lands. The
potential and success as world focused their				economies of South Asian countries were
attention on SAARC summit. This research				dependent on agriculture with industries and
article will examine the evolution of SAARC,				services amounting on the average to about a
challenge to it and future strategy of SAARC				fifth of the national output. There was
for the betterment and amelioration of people				dearth of technology. The majority of these
in economic and political fields following				countries were export oriented but dependent
12th successful Summit in Islamabad.				on a few primary commodities and as a result,
EVOLUTION OF SAARC Historical review of South				they were vulnerable to market fluctuations,
Asia SAARC region has an ancient history				which had disruptive effects on their
commencing from the Indus Valley Civilization				economies. This situation is a legacy of
about 2500 BC. The evidence of this glorious				colonial rule, which subordinated the
civilization is found in the ruins of Mohen				interests of colonies to serve the Empire and
-Jo -Daro and Harapa. SAARC region is				distorted their economies. Fluctuations in
pre-eminently a land of varieties. It has				earning as a result of this market
been aptly described as the epitome of the				vicissitude had prevented regional countries
world. South Asian region is composed of				from prosecuting stable plans of economic
seven countries namely Bhutan, Bangladesh,				development. The per capita income of the
India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri				regional countries were estimated between
Lanka. General (Retd) K.M Arif has described				100$ to 400$, on the basis of which it can be
the members of SAARC family as ?the seven				said that South Asia had the bulk of poverty.
member constellation of Ursa minor in South				This implies horrifying living conditions of
Asia?. These nations occupy almost all of the				hunger, deprivation of life necessities,
geographic area, referred to historically as				malnutrition, disease, squalor and living
the Indian sub continent. This region is a				death of peoples. ?These conditions have
physiographic mosaic with arid deserts,				eroded the quality of peoples as deprivation
towering mountains, fertile plains, rivers,				of opportunities for education and humanistic
rain sodden delta, valleys and dense jungle.				pursuits have reduced their existence to
The history of south Asia demonstrates that				primitive levels?. The economic under
the geographic unity has helped to invest the				development was one of the main root causes
region with a sense of common destiny. The				of the most of tensions in South Asia, which
South Asian sub continent is the collective				has resulted in increasing influence of
home of various social systems, cultures and				external powers and also created friction
religions. Diversity of culture and religion				between India and neighboring states. The
is a character of this area. All the world				economic conditions were characterized by a
religions are found here. Religions have				low rate of economic growth. Instead of
shaped the historical contours of South Asia.				improving the lot of the lowest strata of
The ideal of cultural unity is also nothing				population the conditions had worsened due to
but a myth. Even we leave aside the Muslims				lack of regional cooperation among regional
and other races ?the Hindus are divided into				states. The percentage of growth rate of GDP
thousands of mutually exclusive and often				at constant price from 81 to 85 were less due
hostile sections by the cast system and				to diverse adverse factors such as high
different social traditions? Under these				inflation, budgetary deficits, inappropriate
circumstances it is not surprising that ?the				price policies, inadequate domestic
Hindus and Muslims despite having lived as				management and increasing defence budget. The
neighbors for centuries remained distant and				advantages accruing from the proximity and
separate?. The Hindus and Muslim social				geographical continuity of South Asia in
system are existed side by side yet they				terms of inter regional trade has never been
could not work for real integration. Thus				exploited for the development of the
this fundamental and inherent social,				shattered economy. The trade relationship
cultural and religious disunity was				between the countries has been at the lowest
ultimately responsible for the creation of				ebb. For example India ? Pakistan trade links
two states India and Pakistan. Despite				were reestablished in 1975 after a lapse of
several diversities, ?south asia does share				ten years. In 81 ? 82 the trade between both
powerful ecological, economical and political				countries was limited. Although, the SAARC
mutual ties?. GEOGRAPHICAL UNITY All the				countries have made some achievement though
seven countries of South Asia have a				slow, in improving their economy, but their
geographical compactness. The continuity of				dependence on developing countries for import
border imparts economic advantage to the				of various commodities like petroleum
people of the region and helps them to				products and machinery exceeds their exports
amalgamate to each other. This ?closeness				resulting in adverse balance of trade and
gives the region many infrastructural linkage				balance of payment. The reason for low intra
based on colonial legacies, common history,				regional trade were fear of domination by
race, religion, language and cultural				India, high cost of production due to
background which are unique as compared to				inadequate technical advancement, cheaper
other regions like west asia or south east				prices offered by developed countries and
asia?. The ethnic composition of the region				economic aid and loans from developed states.
is even more heterogeneous than its religious				The export of South Asian countries in 1984
and cultural make-up given the diverse				valued at a little over 15 million dollar
geographic origins of the various peoples who				which form only 0.9 percent of the world
settled South Asia. Internal migrations have				export, while total import of seven countries
inspired much inter ethnic strife that has				amounted to 28396 million dollar which formed
undermined the sense of unity and replaced it				only 1.5 per cent of world imports. Extremely
with conflicting loyalties and nationalistic				slow progress in social development stand in
antagonisms. The South Asia has nearly				sharp contrast to the economic growth during
continental dimension and its total area is				the eighties. The main social problems were
nearly two million square miles. The distance				poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and limited
from west to east is more than 2100 miles and				scope of advancement for women in social and
from extreme north to south is approximately				economic activities. In South Asian countries
the same. The population of South Asia is				more than 40 per cent of the population lived
more than 1.5 billion. ?South Asia, with 21				below the poverty lines, 45 per cent were
per cent of world population, has barely 1.5				without access to health care, 55 per cent
per cent of the world?s GNP and 3.3 per cent				were exposed to insanitary conditions, ten
of the world?s total area. Obviously it has				children died every minute and hundreds of
the largest concentration of the world?s				thousands of women lost their lives during
poverty ?. Thus it has been ranked as third				child birth. At the time of formation of
major concentration of population in the				SAARC, regional cooperation in Western
world. South Asia is bounded by china on the				Europe, South America, Gulf region and South
north from the rest of Asia by Himalayas and				East Asia paid rich dividends. Unfortunately,
is bounded on the other side by the Indian				minimum regional cooperation in south Asia
Ocean. A narrow arm of Afghanistan (Wakhan				was not visible. These adverse economic
Corridor) separates it from Tajikistan, on				conditions were due to lake of regional
the west of South Asia lies the Afghanistan				cooperation. The economic pressures not only
and Iran, on the east is Myanmar while on its				at the time of creation of SAARC but also
south lays the Indian Ocean with Bay of				today are even more threatening. It is
Bengal. On the world globe, South Asia lies				evident that even today after eighteen years
between ?01 degrees south to 37 degrees North				after the establishment of SAARC the leaders
latitude and between 62 degrees east to 97				of ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) are reluctant
degrees East latitude?. LACK OF POLITICAL				to invite India and Pakistan to join ASEM due
COHESION Despite being a geographical unit,				to low economic growth. These deteriorated
South Asia always lacked political unity. The				social and economic conditions urged the
history reveals that the entire region has				South Asian people and leaders to come close
hardly remained as one political unit under				to each other, hence the Heads of States or
the sovereignty of one government. South Asia				Government of SAARC countries reaffirmed
was divided into smaller states, though some				during the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka that
of the dynasties rose to prominence and				?their fundamental goal was to accelerate the
effected a partial unification of the region				process of economic and social development in
under one rule, yet no complete political				their respective countries through the
union of the whole region was ever attained.				optimum utilization of their human and
It were the Muslims and lately the British				material resources, so as to promote the
who united the sub continent by providing				welfare and prosperity of their people and to
uniform administrative and some time a single				improve their quality of life. They were
government but it was transitory. The natural				conscious that peace and security was an
division and physical features have always				essential prerequisite for realization of
prevailed and manifested in division of sub				this objective?. The leaders of South Asia
continent. ?The sub continent has itself				felt the gravity of situation and vehemently
always been at least two distinct worlds, the				strived to ?break the barriers and help one
truly Indic region comprising the gangetic				another to cease to be stranger. An effective
plains and peninsular India, on the one hand				attempt has been taken in this direction in
and the Indus region consisting of basin of				the shape of SAARC to make this region
Indus and its tributaries (i-e Pakistan) on				socially united, politically strong and
the other?. South Asia having seldom				economically prosperous?. These adverse
political unity was a conglomeration of sates				economic and political developments forced
with their distinctive language and customs,				and compelled the regional states to adopt a
though it had a certain amount of homogeneity				rational policy to their common problems
because of a common civilization and outlook				created by political discord in South Asia.
on life. ?The various philosophies and				The domestic and international economic
religion that sprang from its bosom were				pressure forced the heads to join hands to
mostly based upon a set of common assumption				mitigate the suffering and sorrows of people
regarding cosmology and life?. GEO- STRATEGIC				committed by the history of mutual distrust.
IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH ASIA The South Asia has				JOURNEY OF SAARC Regional cooperation is sin
always been the focus of world politics due				qua non-for the amelioration and betterment
to its strategic location. During the				of the peoples of SAARC region. One of the
inclement cold war between super powers it				most significant ways through which
has been centre of stage. Indio ?Russian				developing countries of SAARC region can
alliance and Pak-US marriage brought South				enhance and accelerate their economic growth
Asia into world politics. The persistent				is through increasing intra- regional
political instability and war between Arab				cooperation. It is also true that ?the
and Israel in the Middle East, the fall of				important obstacles in the formation of
pro US regime of Shah and Islamic revolution				closer ties among South Asian economies are
in Iran, the Soviet military intervention in				their wide spread poverty and resources
Afghanistan in December 1979, the outbreak of				constraint?. As in political scenario,
fratricidal war between Iran and Iraq and				economic cooperation in the region was also
Iraq?s occupation of Kuwait had diverted not				dogged by dissimilarities which have created
only the attention of super powers but also				psychological barriers of fear perceptions
the attention of entire world including the				and lack of trust. ?These revolve around the
United Nations active involvement in South				fear that the region would become a satellite
Asia. According to Dr. Moonis Ahmar				of India, if the latter is allowed to take a
?Compounded with these developments,				hand in its economic development, in view of
Pakistan?s tilt towards the US in the post				its towering resources. This is borne out to
1980s period the deepening of Soviet military				some extent by the fact that India is the
presence in Afghanistan and the accentuation				biggest exporter and smallest importer in
of the super power naval military build up in				intra regional trade?. The single most
the Indian Ocean further augmented the South				important factor appears to be the most
Asia prominence in the World Affairs?. The				serious hurdle has been the lack of political
South Asia lies on the mid way junction				will on the part of the member countries to
between South East Asia and the Middle East.				augment economic cooperation among them. This
In the annals of History both regions are				is partly because the countries have not felt
considered quite sensitive and strategic				any political compulsion as well as economic
regions of the world. The strategic				inspiration for intra regional cooperation
importance of Indian Ocean bordering South				and partly because the apprehension not only
Asia can be appreciated in view of its				creates impact to a conscious
geographical situation, with major sea routes				unresponsiveness towards the economic
connecting the gulf and the Red sea and				cooperation. It is widely believed that the
stretching from Africa by way of Suez to the				performance of SAARC in the most crucial
Far East and Australia, it covers an area of				field of economic cooperation is not up to
about 15 million square kilometer or one				the mark. It is my firm belief that it is not
third of all the oceans. ?The Indian Ocean in				the failure of SAARC as regional Organisation
recent years has gained a major significance				but it is the inability of members to procure
in the global strategic consideration				enormous benefit of regional economic
particularly after establishment of US				cooperation due to internal and external
nuclear base at Diego Garcia?. JUNCTION OF				pressures. Despite the existence of South
VARIOUS RELIGIONS South Asia is also situated				Asian Preferential Trading arrangement
at the junction of different ideologies,				(SAPTA), intra regional trade flow accounts
Islam to its west, Hinduism to its East,				for only 4% of the total trade flow.
Communism to its North and by virtue of				Persistent squabbling over even the most
American and western European naval presence				modest concessions granted under SAPTA
in Arabian sea, Christianity to its South.				reflects a worrying lack of political will on
Economically, the shortest land and air route				the part of member countries. The total trade
from Russia and central Asia to the Indian				among SAARC countries during Financial Year
Ocean, from china to Indian Ocean, and from				2001 ?2002 stood at 570 million dollar
Middle East and Iran to India passes through				against 573 million dollar during Financial
this region. Similarly, the air routes from				Year 2000-2001 a decrease of 17.95%.
Europe to the Far East pass over or close to				ISLAMABAD SUMMIT AND REBIRTH OF SAARC The
South Asia. ?Their individual or collective				12th SAARC Summit in Pakistan attracted
denial could result in great economic and				worldwide attention on account of the crucial
political advantage to one or the other				and positive role it played in putting back
competitors?. The fatal terrorist attacks on				the stalled peace process between India and
World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001				Pakistan. The world leaders praised the
propelled South Asia onto the centre-stage of				efforts of Saarc in bringing peace in South
international scene and global war against				Asia. The China in a message to Saarc summit
terrorism was launched from Pakistan, an				appreciated its efforts and hoped that ?Saarc
important member of SAARC and ECO. The United				would become a tool of economic development
States, Japan and Western Europe have				in South Asia?. The world today is
strategic and vital interest in South Asia				transforming into a global village. In this
due to its proximity to Central Asia, hub of				progressive world, minor differences need to
economic potential and Middle East. The SAARC				be kept aside to help humanity get together
region and ECO region has become the house of				to solve each others identical problems.
hyper power and war against terrorism has				Saarc is striving to bring the people of
been launched from the land of SAARC region				region closer together to make South Asia a
against a ECO member. Establishment of SAARC				better place to live in and to let the world
The world war 11 ended with the destruction				know how rich each country is in its own
and annihilation of both victor and				special culture and background. The 12th
vanquished. The West Europe was utterly				summit also helped Pakistan and India come
destroyed by Germany. The East Europe was				together after a very long time to discuss
demolished by the allies. The Japan was				the problems faced by the two countries and
defaced from the map of world by the				provided a good platform for future meeting
holocaust of atomic bomb dropped by the sole				to discuss and solve outstanding issue
nuclear power, United States. After such				between the two neighbours. According to an
destruction a fresh wave of cooperative				Indian columnist Kuldip Nayar ?No doubt,
spirit was blowing in the Europe. These				there has been a welcome breakthrough at
destroyed nations realized that the formation				Islamabad?. It is the credit of SAARC that
of regional cooperation groups by countries				two arch rivals Musharraf ? Vajpayee met in
situated in geographical proximity having				Islamabad on January 6 2004, and agreed to
close historical and similar cultural				restart composite dialogue to normalize
background and common economic problem with				relations between the two countries and to
identical capabilities to manage them is the				settle all bilateral issues, including Jammu
solution of grave problems. The international				and Kashmir. ?A conscious decision has been
attention was also shifted to economic and				taken, at the highest level in both countries
social issues and nations were mobilizing				to start the process of a composite
their resources to raise their level of				dialogue.? If this outstanding issue is
living standard. They found regional				resolved, and we believe it will, then the
integration as the most effective and				?Anthony Gideen?s dream of world having
efficient way to maximize social and economic				?states without enemies? would definitely
development. Regionalism and inter-regional				come true ? if that is not possible across
cooperation have evolved as a new innovative				the globe at least it can be possible here in
phenomenon in the post war international				south asia as no outstanding issue will be
system. ?They are perceived as panacea for				left for India and Pakistan that can put them
avoiding traumatic course of conflict and				as enemies. The SAARC has the capability to
maximizing efforts for development?. The post				make this impossible dream come true. The12th
cold war era has witnessed the emergence and				SAARC Summit concluded with adoption of the
growing importance of regional economic				Islamabad Declaration with the members Heads
grouping in many parts of the world to				of Government and State reaffirming their
overcome obstacle to international trade and				commitment to work for collective action for
to secure a better allocation of regional				promoting regional peace and revitalizing the
resources. Formation of regional grouping had				Organisation by tapping their economic
become a trend in the world politics since				potential through mutual cooperation. The
1945 ?not only to strengthen gradual economic				signing of the South Asian Free Trade Area
integration for overcoming barriers of global				(SAFTA) would translate into a win-win
trade policies but also to exploit the				situation, not only for Pakistan, but also
potential of complimentaries for a better				for all seven nations of Saarc, which is
allocation of available resources to mutual				unfortunately one of the poorest regions of
comparative advantages?. Dr. Kleffens				the world. The leaders of SAARC countries
explains that a ?regional arrangement is a				signed a much awaited Social Charter on
voluntary association of sovereign states				January 4 2004, is a positive and conducive
within a certain area or having common				step for the region?s multitudes of
interest in that area for a joint purpose				impoverished people. The ten point Social
which should not be of an offensive nature,				Charter binds the member countries to adopt
in relation to that area?. EUROPE INSPIRATOR				legislative, executive and administrative
OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION The process of				measures for the social uplift of their
evolving cooperation on regional basis really				masses. It also binds members to share and
started in Western Europe. ?It was Western				review the implementation strategies of their
Europe which made the first regional effort				respective socio-economic uplift plans ?in
in the fifties maturing itself into fully				the fields of education, health, human
growth oriented regional entity in the				resources development, poverty alleviation,
subsequent decades and its success came to be				women?s? development youth mobilization,
replicated elsewhere in the world?. Maqbool				population stabilization, drug rehabilitation
Ahmed Bhatty writes that ?Europe has become				and reintegration of minorities and migrants
the model for cooperation for development				programmes.? The Charter, if adhered to and
which is now being adopted in other parts of				implemented in letter and spirit by member
the world. Military arsenals are being				countries, ?could bring the much-needed
reduced and seemingly intractable disputes				social change in the living conditions of
being resolved through dialogue and				South Asians over 30 percent of who live
compromise?. The success story of ECC				below the poverty line.? Prime Minister
countries, now the European Community gave				Vajpayee gave it a concrete regional
inspiration and incentive all over the world				cooperation dimension by proposing a regional
to form regional organizations of countries				fund and offered an initial contribution of
to improve their economic performance and the				$100 million which could be spent on poverty
living standard of their people. The European				alleviation projects in all Saarc countries
Union is the best example of regional				except India. Indian policy toward SAARC
cooperation achieving good and great things.				India, since independence cherished the goal
There is scramble for its membership among				of becoming a power of Asia. India?s
European powers that were originally not its				strategic ambitions always constituted
members. European Union has become a key word				formidable hindrance to the growth of Saarc.
for successful economic cooperation among				It may recall that in a report titled ?ASEAN
countries of like minded and which posses				Regional Forum?s Annual Security Outlook?
affinities of a common civilizational				(2001), India argued that its security
inheritance. It hardly needs to be emphasized				concerns extended beyond the conventional
that regional cooperation amongst the				geographical definition of South Asia.
neighboring countries play a pivotal role in				Elaborating the point, New Delhi made it
their economic development. URGE FOR REGIONAL				clear that ?given size, geographical location
BLOCK IN SOUTH ASIA The South Asian countries				and trade links, India?s security environment
until 1985 have not been able to establish				ranges from the Persian Gulf to the Straits
regional group and maintain amicable				of Malacca across the Indian Ocean, including
relations amongst themselves. The obvious				Central Asia in the north ?west, China in the
result is that today they are classified as				north east and South East Asia?. India?s
the poorest amongst the poor nations of the				ultimate aim is to assume a large military
world. ?Impulses toward cooperation in South				role in Asia aimed at gradually squeezing
Asia have been weak historically, primarily				outside powers out of South Asia and the
because of political discord and the				broad oceanic areas surrounding it only to
existence of bitter disputes among the states				subjugate SAARC countries. It wants to be
of the region?. Neither a common threat				recognized as a dominating power in the
perception and maturing of nationalism that				Indian Ocean region and assume the role which
actuated states of West Europe to abandon old				the British used to play in the region until
patterns of conflicts, nor a shared vision of				the first half of the 20th century. In order
security through cooperation that motivated				to materialize its design she has strived to
countries of South East asia, has been				normalize its estranged relations with China
prevalent in South Asia. Unfortunately, in				to dent the relations of Pakistan with China.
South Asia conflict and disputes has often				?The thrust f Indian strategy appears to be
emanates from within the region.				to improve ties with China to keep it as far
Consequential tension and bitterness over a				away Pakistan as possible.? India is striving
prolonged period have desiccated the region.				hard to enhance its trade with china. The
There were various external and internal				cordial relations between them pose a direct
factors and pressures which compelled the				threat to Pakistani?s strategic interest in
regional states to establish regional				South Asia. In due course of time china would
organization in South Asia. The forward march				not be in a position to help Pakistan against
of communism on the border of South Asia				India on the pretext that both should mend
pushed them to unite to save their political,				the relations. It is aptly feared that India
social and economic system. India despite				would be succeeded to make China as a neutral
friendship treaty with former Soviet Union				player in the affairs of South Asia. The
did not supported Soviet invasion of				Indian has succeeded to establish cordial
Afghanistan because she wanted to preserve				relations with all the members of SAARC
her political, social and economic system. In				except Pakistan. India has signed a historic
fact all regional countries have supported				water accord with Bangladesh and accorded it
the United Nations sponsored peace initiative				the status of Most Favored Nation. The trade
and demanded immediate withdrawal of Soviet				between them has increased manifold. The
forces. It was dangerous external pressure				India has stopped to interfere in the Tamil
which forced the regional states hitherto				affairs of Sri Lanka and consequently,
divide to unite under the umbrella of SAARC.				procured the good will of Sri Lanka in the
The security and peace of South Asia was also				affairs of SAARC. India signed Free Trade
under pressure within the region. India?s				Agreement with Sri Lanka in 2000. In order to
expansionist foreign policy toward her				sideline and neutralize the say of Pakistan
neighbor has consistently lacked magnanimity				in SAARC, India established a sub regional
expected from a big brother. By pursuing				organization called South Asian Growth
irrational and expansionist foreign policy,				Quadrangle (SAGQ) with Bangladesh, Bhutan,
she has isolated herself from those countries				Nepal and the Northeastern states of India as
which are located on her periphery. In turn,				a ?dynamic area of growth?. In June 1997,
her regional neighbor treats her with				BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri
suspicion and questions her sincerity and				Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) was
ulterior intentions. All these development in				also launched. Nepal and Bhutan also applied
South Asia and the public opinion of South				for membership. During summit held on 08
Asian masses forced the rulers of to devise				February 2004 agreed to create a free trade
such mechanism that may create a better and				zone encompassing nearly two billion people
conducive environment. As corollary, the				but Bangladesh held out for the time being.
adamant rulers realized and convinced that				It may be recalled that India succeeded in
regional cooperation could play a vital role				launching the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
in their economic and social development. In				at Vientiane, Laos, in November 2000. The
the best interests of South Asian region,				grouping, which reflects New Delhi?s desire
Bangladesh in 1980 proffered to convene a				to play a larger role in South East Asia,
regional summit for establishing a regional				consists of India, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam,
organization on the pattern of ASEAN.				Thailand and Myanmar. It is evident from the
President Ziaur Rehman in his letter of May				anti neighbor policies pursued by India that
2, 1980 addressed to the head of Governments				she has stalled the Saarc process,
of the region briefly touched on the				effectively undermining the very existence of
underlying factors which prompted him to take				this cooperative structure within South Asia.
the initiative. He mentioned that positive				PAKISTANS RESPONS It has become evident from
and conducive development in the region had				the policies of India to hurt the vital
created a better climate of understanding.				economic and strategic interest of Pakistan
For the first time, there were distinct				by hook or by crook. All South Asian states,
possibilities of regional cooperation from				to great extent under duress, are ready to go
which all South Asian states would benefit				along with India and at the verge of ignoring
and work collectively for the welfare of its				Pakistan. Pakistan should realize all states,
poor masses. Emphasizing a shared historical				through SAARC that without active support and
experience and a common cultural heritage,				involvement of Pakistan not only the future
the deceased Bangladesh President made an				of SAARC but also the sovereignty of all
impassioned plea for a summit level meeting				states would be endangered. ?The firm massage
of the seven South Asian states. Prof: Shamim				be delivered to India that she would not able
Akhtar called it ?a bold initiative?. The				to procure the resources and access to the
Bangladesh proposal argued that ?inherent				vital Central Asia.? This message will have
logic strongly justified regional				dramatic impact on the future strategy with
cooperation, particularly among South Asian				regard to Central Asia. Pakistan should gain
countries, because the countries in the				the support of ECO countries in order to
region enjoy geographical contiguity,				neutralize Indian pressure and solidify its
historical, social, cultural and ethnic				relations with ECO and ASEAN members.
affinities which would act as centripetal				Pakistan should expedite the pace and efforts
forces and thus, contribute substantively to				to join the SCO. Recently, The SCO has
facilitate coordination and to reducing of				indicated to accept the membership of
transaction costs? . The letter diplomacy				Pakistan. Pakistan occupies a pivotal
prevailed and the Foreign Ministers at their				position in the present international
first meeting in New Delhi on August 2 1983				politics. It is active partner of United
adopted the declaration on the South Asian				States in war against Terrorism and enjoys
Regional Cooperation and formally launched				Non NATO military ally. The trends and
its integrated programme of action. At the				developments have proved and even tacitly
First summit held in Dhaka on 07-08 December				conceded by the US that the US will not be
1985, the Charter establishing the South				able to achieve success in war against
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation				terrorism without the support of Pakistan.
(SAARC) was adopted. It was a ?manifestation				The crucial fact has been admitted by the US
of the peoples of South Asia to work together				president and Secretary General of United
towards finding solutions to their common				Nations in their diverse statements from time
problem in a spirit of friendship, trust and				to time. India has raised hue and cry against
understanding and to create an order based on				this development. Future Strategy of SAARC A
mutual respect, equity and shared benefits?.				conciliation through the aegis of SAARC on
The prime and noble objectives of SAARC are				the Kashmir as well other issues between
to eradicate poverty from South Asia and				India and other members of SAARC can bring
enhance economic cooperation in various vital				not only the prospects for the sub continent
fields. The leaders of South Asia				but also give a much stronger voice to the
acknowledged during the first Summit held in				have-nots of the world in their dealing with
Dhaka on 7-8 December 1985 that ?the				the haves. There is a dire need that Saarc
countries of South Asia who constitute				collectively strive for positive peace with
one-fifth of humanity, were faced with the				honour and justice if the people of this
formidable challenges posed by poverty,				conflict ridden region are to tread the roads
underdevelopment, low level of production,				of progress and prosperity. The leaders of
unemployment and pressure of population				SAARC signed the Social Charter and
compounded by exploitation of the past and				recognized poverty alleviation as the
other adverse legacies?. The basic goal of				formidable challenge facing the people of the
poverty eradication is to be achieved by				region and directed the South Asian
gradual step by step collaboration and mutual				commission for poverty Alleviation to prepare
assistance in unanimously chosen programmes				?a comprehensive and realistic blueprint
in the economic, social, technical and				setting out SAARC development goals for the
scientific fields. Progress in these				next five years in the areas of poverty
non-controversial and mutually beneficial				alleviation, education, health and
areas is expected in turn to contribute to				environment.? The post 9/11 international
?mutual trust, understanding and appreciation				scenario and the perilously explosive
of one another?s problems? leading to peace				situation in South Asia generated by
and stability in the region. CHARTER OF THE				bedeviled relations between India and
SAARC The Charter of the SAARC consists of				Pakistan demands that SAARC in order to prove
ten articles, according to article One the				its usefulness should prevail upon them to
objectives are to promote the welfare of the				accept the offer of mediation of Saarc in
people of the region and to improve their				promoting reconciliation and to find mutually
quality of life, to accelerate economic				acceptable solution that address the root
growth, to promote active collaboration and				cause of tension. SAARCs future progress is
mutual assistance in the economic, social,				in Indo-Pak rapprochement and good will since
and cultural, technical and scientific				tangible regional cooperation cannot take
fields, to strengthen cooperation among				place without their active support and
themselves in international forums and with				involvement. SAARCs progress cannot be
developing countries, to promote mutual trust				expected unless the relationship between
and appreciation of one another?s problem and				India and Pakistan is improved. SAARC should
to cooperate with international and regional				convince India to pursue policies which
organizations. The article Two of Charter of				reassure all the other partners of her
SAARC consists of principles which say that				economic and political goodwill. Only then
such cooperation shall be based on respect				the SAARC states will be able to move forward
for the sovereign equality, territorial				collectively towards a more prosperous and
integrity, political independence, non				secure future. The SAARC should convince the
interference in internal affairs of other				members to unravel internal political problem
states and mutual benefit. Such cooperation				in a spirit of peaceful coexistence and
shall not be as substitute for bilateral and				tolerance. The internal problem in Sri Lanka,
multilateral cooperation but shall complement				Nepal, Bangladesh and India needs SAARCs
them. Article Three says that heads of states				immediate attention. Dynamic and effective
or government shall meet once a year or more				SAARC will preserve precious resources which
often as and when considered necessary.				are squandered for the purchase of
Twelve summits have been held so far in				unnecessary weapons and could be diverted to
various capitals of SAARC countries. Article				development of soft sectors of economy. The
Four of charter establishes council of				prime duty of SAARC is to realize the masses
ministers, which are responsible for				of South Asia that once the core issue
formulating policies and meets twice a year.				Kashmir is settled peacefully to the
Articles Five establish standing committees				satisfaction of the Kashmiris and Pakistan
which are entrusted with over all monitoring				and India, there will be no bone of
and coordination of programmes and the				contention of any consequence to damage the
modalities of financing and identifying areas				relations between India and Pakistan and
of cooperation. Article Six establishes				South Asia will become a haven of peace,
technical committee which formulates				prosperity and stability. The benefits to
programmes and prepares projects in their				India will be immense including trade not
respective fields. Article Seven establishes				only with Pakistan but also with the Central
action committee. Article Eight establish				Asian states. India has been looking for
SAARC secretariat in Nepal on 16 January				permanent membership of the United Nations
1987. Its role is to coordinate and monitor				Security Council and good neighbourly
the implementation of SAARC activities.				relations with Pakistan are bound to help in
Article Nine pertains to financial				enlisting the support of Pakistan. India will
arrangements and the Article Ten contains				also gain in moral stature internationally.
General provisions that decision at all				The saving over defence will go a long way to
levels shall be taken on the basis of				increase social and economic prosperity. The
unanimity and bilateral and contentious				SAARC with the consent of its entire member
issues shall be excluded from the				strive to amend Article ten of its Charter to
deliberations. The Time International				include political issues within its domain as
commented on the establishment of SAARC in				promised during Sixth SAARC summit. The SAARC
the following words that ?since they emerged				has to wage jihad against increasing and
from British rule following world war 11 many				galloping Poverty. The leaders of Saarc
of the countries of South Asia have				countries have ?recognize poverty alleviation
frequently had uneasy relations with each				as the greatest challenge facing the people
other. Sabers have been rattled and some time				of South Asia and declare poverty alleviation
used. Although the leaders of the region have				as the overarching goal of all SAARC
had bilateral summits, they had never met as				activities.? The Saarc must convince and
a group to discuss the areas problem so it				persuade its members to accord top priority
was with some skepticism and a good deal of				to the development of soft sectors. Effectual
optimism that the leaders met in Dhaka, the				and effective mechanism should be devised to
capital of Bangladesh, for the first summit.				implement the recommendations of Independent
There they founded the SAARC with the aim of				South Asian Commission for Poverty
reducing and promoting joint endeavors in the				Alleviation report ?Our future our
area?. Though no dramatic break through were				Responsibility?. In order to attract more aid
expected at the first summit, yet ?it will be				and economic assistance, SAARC should
the harbinger of another regional grouping in				expedite its efforts to collaborate with
Asia, housing some 20% of the world				international donors to reduce poverty from
population, the new alliance has a formidable				region. The SAARC should strive to forge
potential if only the participating countries				economic cooperation among member countries.
sort out their bilateral disputes and				The SAARC countries signed SAFTA agreement on
ungrudgingly strives for an equitable				January 6 2004 with a firm pledge to scale
distribution of the benefits of cooperation				down their tariff in two phases to 0-5
assuring that these benefits accrue not				percent that will come into force on January
merely to the more advanced states in the				1, 2006.The SAARC should ensure successful
region but to each states individually?.				implementation of South Asian Free Trade
POLITICAL SCENARIO AT THE TIME OF				Agreement as it will surely help generate
ESTABLISHMENT At the time of establishment of				economic activity and benefit people of the
SAARC, South Asian states were politically				region. Its committee of experts is working
unstable due to factors such as regime				on details to pave the way for its phased
illegitimacy, socio-economic, religious and				implementation. If the process is allowed to
ethno linguistic tensions. This political				succeed it will change the dynamics of
instability in turn retarded any initiative				business in the region. It will also alter
towards collective regional cooperation.				the economic landscape of every Saarc
Unstable political government used the				country. In accordance with the SAFTA
external threat to counter domestic pressure.				framework treaty trade barriers between SAARC
The historical events and trends of Indian				member states will be gradually removed. The
policies have not been conducive to the				SAARC must maintain the momentum achieved
extent that fear and distrust have replaced				during 12th SAARC summit and proceed further
the feeling of security and confidence in				broadening of economic cooperation and ensure
each other. The political scenario in south				equitable distribution of benefits of trade
Asia, prior to the establishment of SAARC was				and cater to the special needs of the LDC
explosive. These were vitiated due to				countries by providing them differential
irrational and expansionist behavior of				treatment. The intra ? regional trade, which
India. Her relations with all regional states				is only 4% of the total trade, can be
were at lowest ebb. India?s arms build up and				increased up to 20-25% provided member
ambitious plans to assume the regional power				countries fulfill the requirements of SAFTA
utterly shattered the balance of power in the				and SAPTA arrangement. CONCLUSION Being a
region, because of her dispute with				member of SAARC country, it is my firm belief
neighboring countries i-e Indo ? Pakistan				that Saarc had not been allowed to achieve
dispute over the Kashmir, the Siachen Glacier				its lofty objectives. Inspite of differences
and their nuclear programme. There was				and stumbling bloc, it has accomplished more
disagreement between India and Sri Lanka over				than its counter part organization. As they
contentious and political problem of Tamil,				have no internal territorial dispute to
and withdrawal of Indian peacekeeping force				settle, while SAARC has a wound which is
from the country. The India refused to renew				still profusely bleeding. Like The United
the trade and transit agreement with Nepal.				Nations, SAARC as a regional organization
The Indo-Bangladesh disagreement on the				cannot be termed as failure but the members
sharing of Ganges water, the Chakma refugees,				of it are unable to make it effective, result
the transfer of Tin Bigha corridor and the				oriented and dynamic organization. SAARC has
inability of the two countries to solve				human and natural resource, and capable of
border and trade disputes and the emerging				becoming a potential regional Organisation.
disquiet in Bhutan about India?s intransigent				It can cater enormous benefits in
approach toward her neighbors. Ethnicity,				socio-economic sectors provided member states
religion and territory were the main cause of				coalesce with each other in a spirit of
conflict in the South Asia. ?The South Asian				fraternity. According to well known Urdu
system revolves around the core power India,				writer Hassan Nisar ?single currency and soft
the bargainer Pakistan and the periphery				borders will change the destiny of Muslims of
powers Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka				South Asia? It is aptly believed that the
and Maldives?. Geographically, India is the				platform of SAARC will help Muslims of South
only country which has common land frontiers				Asia to reunite and bring glory to the
with other South Asian states and maritime				Muslims of South Asia. ?Those who are against
boundaries with Sri Lanka and Maldives which				soft borders and single currency are enemy of
make India the central state of South Asia.				Muslim might and their welfare?. The forum of
By virtue of its geographic dimension, both				Saarc has provided an opportunity which could
size and location and enormous economic and				be availed of not only to attain self
military strength she occupies central and				reliance and improve the economic and social
pivotal position in the region. This				conditions within states but also to
advantage has naturally engendered aspiration				safeguard against extra regional forces which
of regional leadership and consequently				may create pressures and problems to suit
Indian policies since independence have been				their interests. These external powers are
directed toward attaining central status in				selling huge weapons of Mass Destruction to
the region. There have been two distinct				South Asia countries. It is going to be a
dimensions of India?s security and foreign				significant milestone in the history of
policies behavior in the region. First, it				Saarc. The dream of poverty eradication will
has attempted to play the decisive role in				not come true unless SAARC become active in
shaping the events taking place in its				devising a potent mechanism to settle intra
neighborhood, and secondly it has opposed any				and internal problems among its members. To
extra regional involvement in the affairs of				avoid any possible pitfalls and derailment of
South Asia. She expressed its resentment over				composite peace process, auspiciously
Pak-US relations. Generally, it insisted upon				initiated following the 12th summit, on which
the acceptance of its pre-eminent position in				the peace ? loving people have pinned their
the region, both by other South Asian states				hopes, SAARC has to be active and vigilant.
and the major external powers. ?Preeminence				The SAARC should ensure that composite
is not precisely defined, and India?s				dialogue should continue in the spirit of
objective is not classic client-state				cordiality, goodwill and accommodation that
relationship but this stance is seen by				was witnessed during the 12th SAARC Summit.
India?s neighbors as a limitation on their				It is time that the SAARC states wakeup to
sovereign powers?. Despite its close				the realities of the situation, reduce the
strategic cooperation with former Soviet				level of mutual recrimination, and instead
Union she has also persistently opposed any				build a strong base for regional cooperation.
extra regional security arrangements made by				Without an amicable solution of bilateral and
any of the South Asian countries to counter				regional disputes bedeviling the political
its aspirations for regional predominance.				climate in South Asia, the dream of a
During 1980s India showed increased readiness				regional alliance and economic wellbeing of
to assert its power directly and dramatically				poor masses, may not come true. The Prime
while dealing with its smaller neighbors. The				Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia,
outbreak of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka in				whose late husband, President Ziaur Rehman,
1983 led to the unofficial formulation of a				had first propounded the idea of the South
version o f Monroe doctrine referred to as				Asian grouping said while addressing the 12th
Indian doctrine in South Asia. The regional				SAARC summit ?we must seize the present
states were fret and apprehensive of India?s				momentum and forge ahead?.

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