Saarc yet to come of age!

Despite being 22 years old South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) has yet to come of age and take the members countries out of the hopelessness that its failure to achieve its objectives has brought to them.
While speaking at a seminar "Expansion of Saarc: Prospects and Challenges," held a local hotel on Monday ambassadors and deputy high commissioners of the member countries said that Saarc has been slow in its actions.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Dr W. B. Dora Kumboura said Saarc could not progress because of interstate conflicts. For example, unresolved Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, Indian Tamil population and its sympathies with Sri Lankan Tamil population and Sri Lanka's engagement with rebels, water issue between India and Bangladesh and tiff on minor issues between India and Nepal.
He said that in addition to interstate disputes there are problems within the countries that keep respective governments engaged. He said that the element of suspicion is another factor that should be looked into before thinking of co-operation among the Saarc members.
He said that large concentration of people in these countries has always been a problem. The high population growth, illiteracy, poor health care services, and unfavourable trade situation are some other factors that have been neglected in the region.
He said that unless interstate disputes such as Kashmir between India and Pakistan and disputes on water distribution between Bangladesh and India remain unresolved, collective progress in the region would not be possible.
He said that issues such as poverty, illiteracy, lack of health care facility, non-availability of potable water, lack of trust of one state on another are not looked into to find out a solution acceptable to the member countries, a successful Saarc would remain a dream.
Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal said that expansion of Saarc should be in proportion with its capacity. "What happens when you expand something, it burst. Look at the capacity of expansion. It can be done to an extent."
He said that little had been done in the 'area of trade'. He emphasised the need for physical and financial connectivity. "Saarc has not done much in this area." He identified food, energy, water and environment as four areas where there was room to do more work. "We (Saarc) are far away from the millennium development goal as well."
He compared yields of selected agricultural products in India, Pakistan and other countries such as Egypt and Jordan and said that South Asia was far behind in exploiting its potential in the field of agriculture as compared to countries which were food-deficit are now producing in excess of their need. He called upon the member countries to come together and concentrate on this issue.
He said that to achieve this objective the member countries will have to concentrate on research and opt for the use of latest technical knowledge. "Integrated water management is needed. India and Pakistan will have to forget their irrigation-based civilisation. It has to be changed to progress in the filed of agriculture."
He said that trade between member countries has not improved. Indian buyers are out buying goods worth $275 billion. "Our global trade is high whereas trade with Pakistan is just about $1.5 billion." He said that Indian goods (such as vaccines) reach Pakistan through third country.
He said that the two countries should look into this situation and reach understanding to increase trade volume. He said that the Indian businessmen were investing $30 billion abroad but 'nothing is coming to Pakistan'. "If Saarc does not take off, co-operation will fail," Pal added.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, Masood Khalid said that peaceful settlement of disputes, development of integrated approach to progress, dissemination of knowledge, advancement in information technology were some of the key areas that should be adopted.
He stressed the need to create level playing field for all the member countries so that their trade and commerce may improve and the disparity between the resource-rich and resource-poor could be reduced.
He said Pakistan wished Saarc progress. "It is possible only through coming out from a trust-deficit position to complete trust position." Deputy Chief of Mission, Nepal, Khaga Nath Adhikari said that Nepal lacks resources and Saarc members lack commitment to the objectives of the association.
He said that strengthening of unity among the members and respect for sovereignty of states would be necessary for building Saarc as a strong club of the South Asian Region.
Consul General of Iran Mashaallah Shakari said that the region has 60 percent of the world population and 70 percent of the world resources. "Unfortunately South Asian countries have not been able to exploit their resources. Iran has the potential to play an effective role in the development of energy, oil and gas sectors in the region."
He said that Pakistan and Iran have signed the IPI gas pipeline project agreement. It is hoped that India will also sign this agreement soon. Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Allama Siddiqi pointed out that the region should adjust its trade and commerce priorities and accommodate those who are still struggling with the process of development in their countries.
Ambassador of Afghanistan said that his country needed regional and international assistance to develop its economy, improve condition of people and provide them basic necessities of life. Chinese Counsel General in Karachi Chen Shanmin wished success to Saarc.