Can Indo-SAARC relations ever improve

The South Asian Region which so proudly holds in its lap the highest peak of the planet earth wherein India portends to lead the global edifice from the front has turned out to be a theatre of a raging high intensity conflict. Has the diminution in fragility acted as a stabilizing tool in the frail cord of Indo-SAARC political canvas?  Writes strategic analyst of DANFES

At a time, when it is most imperative that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) should spearhead and act as a torchbearer for the contemporary world --- with India playing a lead role being the veritable big brother --- it is indeed mysterious that the SAARC–India relations are sour. It is high time that the SAARC nations accept India as their true omnipotent big brother, because of its all round progress matching even the first world. Emulating European Union (EU), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the compelling needs of the South Asian nations, the accomplishment of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) hitherto is a far cry to prove as a formidable Association.

Genesis

SAARC got its genesis since its inception in 1980, through a Bangladeshi initiative, with the greater focus on regional contribution. SAARC formally came into existence on December 8, 1985, by seven founding members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The latest addition in the organization was Afghanistan as its eighth member at the 14 Summit.   SAARC wish to reach the level of other successful regional organizations. However, emulating the instances of ASEAN or EU seems definitely a long way off.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s unwillingness to play significant roles is often credited to the political and military rivalry between India and Pakistan. Conversely to the covenant of the SAARC constitution, its role is increasingly getting diminished and is now used as a mere forum of discussions, talk shops and meeting its members. “There are both state and non-state actors involved in the business of terrorism. India is a democracy and an open society and is, therefore, sometimes highly vulnerable,” Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh said.

Nearly 22 years after it was formed, South Asian officials are now candid in the in admitting that SAARC has been stuck in the confabulation stage and it needs to move towards implementing concrete projects.

SAARC Topography

Representing almost a fifth of humanity, South Asia is today one of the contemporary world’s most strategic region, volatile and most poor. Approximately the whole third of the entire population remains below the poverty line, inter-state conflicts and civil wars dot the regional  landscape with violence,  whereas,  its location marks it for challenges and priorities.  The ‘war on terror,’ in the aftermath of 9/11, is being fought in its vicinity with both India and Pakistan offering services to the United States, to cooperate in combating this ‘common enemy.’  And if the challenge is to combat terrorism as a partner of the US, the opportunity for South Asia is to serve as an economic gateway for Afghanistan and Central Asia. But this goal would remain elusive till the attainment of a modicum of political stability.

The Idea of South Asian Unity

When the world is deciphering the potentialities of India, at the same time, India is facing tremendous problems in maintaining with SAARC countries. The geopolitical entity of region which was forged over millennia by the development of identical systems of socio-economic and cultural organization in close tandem with compounded and interrelated territories in the 19th century by the British colonial rule seems to be in disarray. Notwithstanding with the fact, the SAARC countries separated by political or physical boundaries, share understandably a unique religious, ethnic, social and linguistic heritage. Strange enough, still the colonial mind-set prevails in the entire sub-continent, and there exists a debate regarding how realistic inter regional trade is helping each member nation.  The idea of South Asian Unity could have forged into a greater enviable body acting as a trend setter for others.  At the moment, this is not happening.

Steps India can take

•             One of the keys to long-term cooperation within SAARC countries is greater regional integration. India can set an example for neighboring countries to emulate as a progressive partner through constructive diplomacy.

•             As a regional power and a peace loving country, India needs to lead the SAARC countries not as an arrogant power rather as a sympathetic and responsible power in the whole of South Asia. It is this domain that India can peacefully resolve disputes and differences with other countries in the region.

•             Greater trade will bring member countries of SAARC closer together and help further economic opportunities for growing economies.

•             India needs to dispel the notion that it makes an endeavor to impose own hegemony over the neighbors

•             India can encourage the progressive and liberal people from across the border of the region to understand the significance of peace in the South Asian region

 •            India must continue to adhere to its principled stand of waging war against terrorism, at the same time make persuasive methods to those countries which desire all round progress and prosperity along with India’s future discourse.

•             The latest SAARC Meeting of Environment Ministers in New Delhi in 20th October,2009 is a reminder that India is willing to walk extra lines to help strengthen the Indo-SAARC relations is a case in point.

Terrorism and Violence

The South Asian nations remind us of the explosive situation that exists in this geopolitical and cultural region. Centuries of political conflict, economic and religious dynamics in the region have created the volatile conditions that enable both terror attacks and domestic threat. Terrorism of the groups, modus operandi, their ideologies, their origins and state responses are affecting the volatile chord of relationship of SAARC countries accordingly. In Indo-SAARC relations, the article examines the root causes and the scale of terrorism across South Asia including the role of Maoist forces ascendancy in the region. There has been fundamental linkages between terrorism, narcotics trafficking, illegal immigration and criminal activity, these all understandably affect India-SAARC relations.

SAARC Summit 2008: The Colombo Declaration

•             Partnership for Growth for the People

•             Connectivity

•             Energy

•             Environment

•             Poverty Alleviation

•             SAARC Development Funds(SDF)

•             Transport

•             Information and Communications Technology(ICT) Development

•             Science and Technology

•             Tourism

•             SAFTA

•             Education

•             Combating Terrorism

The next or16th SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in the Bhutanese capital, Thimpu on April 28-29, 2010, a Nepali local media reported.

Indo-SAARC Trade

With countries facing stiff global recession like U.S, UK, Italy and Japan, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India are increasingly turning to alternate modules for marketing. During crisis time, strengthening trade relations with other SAARC countries can prove to be a highly significant in providing lucrative opportunities to Indian small and mid-sized units. Export and import liberalization norms and provision of greater political support can promote trade relations between India and SAARC countries. Forging better trading relations among these countries is expected to offer ample opportunities for SMEs in India. Strengthening of Indo-SAARC trade will enable Indian SMEs to step up their exports to countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Therefore, trade can play a pivotal role in improving better relations Between India and SAARC countries.

Analysis

The SAARC organization needs to be injected with a new vigour and vitality, so that it is not allowed to stagnate in the manner that it has. It needs to consider some innovative, more pro-active proposals and initiatives. It could, for instance, follow the lead of  Association of South  East Asian Nations(ASEAN) which started off as essentially a political offshoot of US-sponsored military pact at the height of the Cold War, and later evolved into an effective economic body as well. SAARC, which started off as a forum for economic and cultural cooperation, needs to incorporate discussions of political issues in its Charter, so that it becomes part of agendas discussed by the region’s leaders. That evolution of SAARC is called for, given the manner that political issues serve as a roadblock to its assuming the role of an effective regional grouping. As recent events have shown, political issues can no longer be sidelined by SAARC.

Conclusion:

From Beijing tightening its noose  around India’s neck, new great game(Great power dynamics) underplay, coalition forces in the vinscinity, terrorism from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan to Pakistan, and from Central Asia to South Asia coupled with ideologically committed with cross purposes vitiate the conducive atmosphere of India’s fragile relations with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC).

Therefore, India-SAARC relations ought to resort to deliberate practical and meaningful ways to propel the vision of growth in the region through partnership of South Asia’s peace and stability. Therefore, what is both puzzling and counterproductive is how little realistic consideration has emerged concerning the future of Indo-SAARC relations. Amidst all these hustling, can India-SAARC relations tread on the greener pasture of political trajectory?

Feedback on:- reporter@dayafterindia.com