SAARC needs greater enthusiasm

They are expected to discuss issues pertaining to strengthening the seven-nation regional forum in the third decade of its existence. The summit is expected to take into account the progress made so far by the twenty-year-old organisation. But more importantly the summit will have to infuse new enthusiasm in the forum making its future more action-oriented so that the vast multitude living in the region can feel the relevance of the Association in a greater way.

The path of the SAARC over the last two decades has not been smooth and occasionally it was bumpy causing additional strains. This condition notwithstanding, the SAARC existed for the last twenty years because none of the member nations feels it irrelevant even though its progress during the period not being anything remarkable. Many, naturally, feel that its progress has been rather sluggish. But its existence in itself can be seen as a positive development given the fact that the forum had come up belying many skepticism and is continuing with modest achievements despite certain problems. In the meantime it is also gaining greater acceptance at various quarters.

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The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) a few months ago finally accepted this regional forum as an observer in the world body. It has been a shot in the arms for the forum and the decision gives SAARC a distinct advantage for interactions with the UN system. No doubt, for the SAARC it has come little late but the bottom line is that the recognition has been given. Evidently, the UN closely monitored the SAARC and finally reached the conclusion that it was sparing no efforts to develop effective cooperative mechanism among seven nations in the most densely populated region of the world.

Clearly, the forum is handicapped by certain problems like resource constraint and political differences that seek to retard its progress. Nevertheless, many see in its great potentials which definitely have not been exploited.

True, the SAARC has often been a victim of political problems that undeniably exist in South Asia, an area congenitally known for this milieu. Postponements and deferment of the summits are not new phenomenon. Still, the staging of the summit itself is something to cheer about. Differences have bedevilled the SAARC to some extent, but what is praiseworthy is that the setbacks have always been temporary and the forum reverted to original track. That is where the strength of the forum lies although it is desirable that the SAARC cycle -- particularly the summits are held on a regular basis as provided by the charter. Pakistan and India, two key players of the South Asian spectrum have agreed to attend the 13th summit in Dhaka despite the fact that both countries have been badly hit by a catastrophic earthquake. The spirit is simply commendable. Pakistan is still reeling under the devastation which is far larger than India's.

The charter provides for a summit once in a year since this should not be difficult as members come from one region and their number is not large. Commonwealth leaders meet (CHOGM) once in two years, Nonaligned and Islamic countries once in three years. All these groups have big number of members who come from different continents, whereas seven SAARC members are neighbours. Hence the decision for annual conference of the leaders was rational as this should also provide the members to have talks at highest level for overall welfare of the region. Sadly, this vision did not work for the forum as annual summit remains a problem even though it was one of the basic intentions of the SAARC. Consequently, the forum suffered in the absence of meetings of their leaders at regular intervals.

Arguably, the SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu functions effectively and meetings at other levels are useful, but consultations by the leaders are imperative for the development of the organisation, which is afflicted by manifold problems mainly stemming from political differences. After all, it is the summit that effectively helps clear the hindrances that scuttle the expected growth of the forum.

Bangladesh has particular reason to be anxious about the SAARC as this country mooted the idea. When Bangladesh conceived the South Asian forum, the proposal was greeted with a large degree of skepticism in certain circles and major nations in the region even dragged their feet in endorsing the concept. But once it took off following assiduously built painstaking efforts, SAARC did not look back the slow progress notwithstanding.

The summits should not be subjected to delay as failure to hold the event in time spawns mistrust and doubts about the effectiveness of the forum. Contacts among the leaders leave a sobering effect as evidenced by the current phase of reconciliation between India and Pakistan that had begun with a meeting of their leaders on the sidelines of the 12th summit in Islamabad.

It is not that SAARC is not dealing with the issues which are inextricably linked with the socio-economic improvement of the people of the region. But the identification of the problems and areas for concrete cooperation need to be more clearly assessed and follow-up actions taken without hesitation and delay. Islamabad summit took up a series of programmes in the economic, social and other sectors and all these are commendable. It is imperative that the positive spirit is maintained through appropriate and timely follow-up actions.

For resources and technical and other assistance, the SAARC in the new phase should develop greater interactions with international organisation and agencies for effectively helping its programmes. For instance, the inter-governmental body with its headquarters in Dhaka covering a larger region -- the CIRDAP -- can also be approached by the SAARC for collaborative programmes. The CIRDAP recently held a ministerial meeting of its 14 member states from Asia and the Pacific region in Dhaka where rural development and poverty alleviation was the main topic of discussion. One of the main objectives of the SAARC is also the same issue. Interactions will help achieve the goals. SAARC can also develop ties with the ASEAN and other regional forums for experiences and cooperation.

Member nations should also demonstrate greater willingness for accommodation of others' views as far as possible in matters where interests may conflict. For instance, the SAFTA is to come into force from beginning of the next year but the progress made so far with complex negotiations on the matter is not very encouraging to the extent that it may not be implemented from the scheduled time. However, as the leaders are set to meet for the summit in the Bangladesh capital soon, they need to inject new elements of hope in the SAARC to turn the forum into a more vibrant and dynamic one. Hopefully, the leaders will not disappoint those who remain admirers of the SAARC.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is Foreign Editor of BSS.