Editorial
Forthcoming Delhi summit
SAARC must acquire newer dimensions
The forthcoming summit of SAARC nations in Delhi promises to be different from all earlier meetings of the organization. The presence of as many as five observers, together with the entry of Afghanistan as the newest member of the South Asian regional body, is a clear sign of a certain spirit of rejuvenation coming into SAARC. It hardly needs to be pointed out that since its inception twenty two years ago, the organization has struggled to find a foothold and make an impact on the lives of the people in whose interest it took shape. It has not been unusual for people to come by sentiments patently critical of the body, to the extent that it has often been derided as a mere talking shop. Fortunately, given the changing political and strategic realities around the globe, SAARC appears to have been taking a good look at itself and is now poised to redefine its parameters.The presence of China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and the European Union at the April summit of SAARC nations is a good indication of the increasing appeal of the regional body. In a very important way, the five observers have, through their interest in the summit, acknowledged the potential SAARC holds in promoting economic and political cooperation among the member states of the organization. Of course, such a perspective on their part has much to do with some recent developments in the region itself. On the one hand, the relatively healthy bilateralism which has of late defined contacts between India and Pakistan and between India and China has sent out the message that cooperative endeavours could now be digging deeper roots. On the other, there is somewhat a perception that the member nations of SAARC could from here on develop a unified response to the many issues the wider world happens to be tackling. In other words, the presence of observers at the summit may well be regarded as adding a new dimension to politics and related issues in South Asia. Beyond the matter of the prospects being held out for SAARC, though, comes the matter of the organization developing a sinewy image of itself. That of course presupposes a certain kind of rethinking in such areas as the charter of the organization, particularly in relation to bilateral issues being dealt with by the wider body. At the same time, progress will need to be made in such vital regions as free trade, or SAFTA. To date, deals on such issues as countering terrorism and the like have strengthened the feeling that SAARC does hold the potential to add substance to itself. With Afghanistan now coming in as a member, it is time for SAARC leaders to consider seriously what must be done to make the body become a full-time participant in the affairs of the wider world.
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