Editorial
Saarc spirit enlivened
Time to move from resolutions to results
THE South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has concluded yet one more of its summits, this time in Colombo, through adopting a 41-point declaration. Obviously, the Colombo Declaration, as it is known, means to reinforce the spirit of cooperation that has been the underlying principle of Saarc since it was founded in 1985. The heads of state and government have reached four agreements, which focus on such key areas as food and security, trade, combating terrorism and dealing with climate change. The agreements reflect the perspective plan the Saarc leaders have set for themselves. It is an acknowledgement of the practical realities that must be taken care of if the conclusions of the summit are to be translated into actual results.
The more important need now is for it to follow through on the intentions and produce concrete results in the time between now and the next summit. There are all the compulsions before Saarc, those that challenge it to come level with the rest of world in terms of making life better for the people of the region. Saarc can indeed do a great deal in the area of trade. The decision to have the SAFTA experts committee resolve expeditiously issues related to non-tariff and para-tariff measures is a positive one and should clear the path toward expanded regional cooperation. But such impediments as the sensitive list threaten to slow the cooperative process, which is why it is important that the list be whittled down or done away with altogether.
Then comes the matter of people-to-people cooperation in the region. The reality is that at present ties between and among governments are hobbled and unless that knot is untied, such steps as a free movement of people across borders, easier visa procedures and free flow of information will be hindered. Every crisis is an opportunity. With the world reeling from a number of problems at present, it is natural for Saarc to be affected by them. That is good reason for the body to energise itself and go into making decisions that ensure a better future for the region.
It is in the larger interest of the peoples of the region that Saarc needs to become a viable and dynamic regional body able to keep pace with the times and formulate answers to the many questions that may be buffeting it. We note that on the sidelines of the summit, the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers have met to defuse the current level of tension between them. That ought to have a salubrious impact on the future course of events in the Saarc region. As for the fight against terrorism, the atmosphere of recrimination must yield place to one of trust and mutual cooperation.
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