* Indo-Pak tension remained the major cause of SAARC ineffectiveness during 25 years
* Gilani, Manmohan vow to support SAARC Charter
By Shabbir Sarwar
LAHORE: Facing the challenges of poverty, terrorism and lack of political will for any European Union like grand agreement among member states, the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is celebrating its silver jubilee today (Wednesday).
Established 25 years ago on December 8, 1985, SAARC now comprises eight countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The SAARC nations are home to nearly 1.5 billion people or about 22 percent of the world population.
The heads of the states these countries had created SAARC, keeping in view the welfare of the people, peace, stability and progress of South Asian region by fostering mutual understanding, meaningful cooperation and good neighbourly relations among members states.
On this historic day (on December 8, 1985), the heads of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had gathered in Dhaka and signed a documents, expressing their desire to promote peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and Non-Alignment, particularly respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non-use of force and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and peaceful settlement of all disputes, to foster mutual understanding, good neighbourly relations and meaningful cooperation among the member states which are bound by ties of history and culture.
The then Bangladesh President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, king of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, king of Nepal Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Pakistani president Ziaul Haq and Sri Lankan president Junius Richard Jayewardene had signed the document.
The member states perhaps were unaware of the fact that an article of the charter that: “Bilateral and contentious issues shall be excluded from the deliberations” would be a major hurdle in the smooth functioning of this South Asian forum. India and Pakistan are the key players of this association due to ever-present tension between these two nations. The political unrest and lack of political will in the leaders of these two states is blamed for the ineffectiveness of the association.
Resultantly, several forums and agreements of the association are inactive and the member states failed to exploit the potential that exists in the region. Unfortunately, SAARC countries are doing only $682 million trade through SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) while volume of the total trade through bilateral agreements among SAARC members sates made at their own is $12 billion, which is less than 5 percent of the total trade of SARRC countries with the rest of the world.
President SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik told Daily Times that SAARC had witnessed five percent mutual trade growth this year. He said this was far less than the actual potential and main reason was Indo-Pak tension. He said misunderstanding and disputes between both countries had affected the performance of this important body.
SAARC Chamber Secretary General Iqbal Tabish said that the dream of a common currency for SAARC countries – Sarrconomy or Rupee – could not be realised even in next 20 years keeping in view the ground realities of the regions. He said for adoption of a common currency in the South Asian region, establishment of a common custom union on the basis of a uniform policy, common stock exchange, monetary union, common monetary policies, common fiscal policies, redressal of transportation and communication issues were the prerequisites.
On the eve of silver jubilee celebrations, SAARC Secretary General Dr Sheel Kant Sharma said, “Through its diverse activities over decades, SAARC has sought to engender a distinct South Asian identity and a culture of peace, cooperation and partnership for the collective benefit of our peoples, brought up potential of regional cooperation, embarked into a free trade area, and enhance sharing of experiences at the level of professionals, intellectuals, artists, litterateurs and business communities.”
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said, “SAARC should actively promote regional cooperation in all important fields. One of the underlying objectives of SAARC is to help in contributing to mutual trust and understanding. The need of the hour is to continue our endeavors to build upon this objective to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia in economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields. Pakistan is committed to the principles of SAARC Charter. We shall continue to play our role in furthering the objectives of SAARC for the benefit of the peoples of South Asia.”
Indian President Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said, “On this silver jubilee anniversary, we take pride in the achievements while acknowledging challenges that continues to confront us.” He said it was heartening to see the progress in the implementation of flagship regional cooperation projects like South Asian University and SAARC Development Fund. “I reaffirm India’s unstinting support and commitment to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of South Asians through their premier vehicle of regional economic cooperation,” Manmohan said.
Nepal PM Madhav Kumar said, “During its 25 year journey, SAARC has made significant stride to achieve those noble objectives and to foster mutual understanding and cooperation in the region. The emerging challenges of climate change and environmental degradation in the region are critical issues that are gaining prominence in SAARC forums. “By joining hands together, we can address the myriad challenges that we are facing in the region,” he said.
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