Regional cooperation in South Asia: Myths and realities
INDIA'S new Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic initiative to invite leaders of Saarc countries to his swearing-in ceremony, his plan to build a multi-storied headquarter for Saarc in New Delhi, inclusion of both USA and China into Saarc to improve its functioning are the issues of recent discussion within and outside South Asian countries. These initiatives make us perceive that South Asian regionalism is functioning effectively. In this scenario let us go in-depth to fathom South Asia's regional cooperation status.
According to the Saarc Charter, the main objectives of Saarc are to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life; to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potentials (Article1). South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is on the way to celebrate its 30th Anniversary. Though a long time has passed, South Asian regionalism is yet to be truly effective. Some 40% of its population lives on less than $1.25 per day. Its performance in terms of socioeconomic indicators is not up to the mark. The quantity and quality of infrastructure facilities in the South Asia region are low in comparison to most other regions.
Regional cooperation was viewed as an answer to resolve inter-state disputes and internal problems in South Asia. But in reality, South Asia's regionalism led by the Saarc has failed to improve politico-security environment in the region. Unfortunately, it has not been able to make significant contribution to resolve or manage intra-state or inter-state conflicts. Concrete achievements of the Saarc in terms of fostering either regional cooperation or friendly relations among the member states have been insignificant. Bilateral disputes have constantly weakened the process of regional cooperation within the framework of Saarc. It has not been able to hold discussions on political disputes among the member states, especially between India and other regional countries.
There has been proliferation of statements and declarations rather than implementation since the formation Saarc. Even cooperation in areas that are largely non-controversial and previously agreed upon, such as poverty alleviation and trade and economic relations, remains ineffective due to the conflicting Indo-Pakistan relations. Take the example of Safta. The mistrust among the South Asian members remains the key factors behind the failure of Safta.
Safta was initiated in 2004 by Saarc to ensure the gradual increase of intra-regional trade. Despite that, intra-Saarc trade makes up less than 5% of the region's total gross domestic product, and only 3.7% of its global trade. Though the seven signatory nations of Safta implemented the first tariff reduction from July 1, 2006, Pakistan and India have not yet allowed each other to be facilitated under this agreement. In July 2006, India called for an urgent meeting of the Safta Ministerial Council (this council comprises of commerce/trade ministers of the Saarc countries and is responsible for the administration and implementation of the Safta agreement).
Under the Safta agreement, the 'free trade area' operates on the basis of the 'sensitive list.' In this emergency meeting, India accused Pakistan of backing away from its commitment under the multilateral Safta agreement. However, this is not the only example of the two countries adopting confrontational postures towards each other on the Saarc platform. There have been several such occasions with both countries debating contentious issues and delaying the actual implementation of very important regional instruments for peace and economic integration.
Thus, at the end of the discussion it is pertinent to say that aforementioned issues along with the cancellation of several Saarc summits due to India's objection to the new governments of its neighbours such as Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1990, 1992, 2005, plus New Delhi's attention deficit in making Safta effective indicate that there is a mismatch between myths and realities regarding South Asian regional cooperation. The people of South Asia desire to have a peaceful, prosperous and secure future. The security can be obtained through honest and sustained efforts to narrow the political differences. South Asian leaders thus need real political will to foster regional cooperation in the real sense.
The writer is MSS student at the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.
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