A Forum of Indian parliament has strongly affirmed that continuation of dialogue between India and Pakistan is the only solution to political problems between the two countries. This will positively affect the process of economic integration of South Asia.
This was the consensus which emerged following a meeting with Indian parliamentarians on 'Trade & Investment within Saarc: Obstacles and Way Forward to Overcome Them', and a Saarc delegation, comprising Tariq Sayeed and Iftikhar Ali Malik, President and Vice-President of Saarc Chambers of Commerce and Industry, held in New Delhi on Thursday, according to a message received here on Friday.
The objective of the Forum was to enlighten the Indian parliamentarians with the economic issues and challenges faced by South Asian region and to seek their support for voicing the concerns of private sector at appropriate level.
The President of Saarc CCI in his comprehensive presentation stated that in addition to socio-political issues, parliamentarians need to play their due role on economic fronts, and suggested that governments should resolve political problems in the larger interest of overall development of the region.
He said that peace and political stability was a must for socio-economic growth of the region, and added that human resource development through investment in health and education sectors was imperative for the economic growth of Saarc. He requested the Indian parliamentarians to play their due role in continuation of composite dialogue between the two major players of South Asia in the larger interest of the region, 40 percent population of which is living below poverty line.
Tariq Sayeed responded to all the queries raised by the parliamentarians during the course of discussions. They exhibited positive attitude towards issues relating to India and Pakistan and offered their support for creating Saarc Parliamentarian Forum to effectively address issues faced by South Asian region.
Participants belonged to different political parties, ie Congress, Bhartia Janata Party, CNP and represented their constituencies on various standing committees like finance, trade, education, health, external affairs, local bodies and environment, etc.
Comments
Comments are closed.