Indo-Pak hostilities spill at SAARC moot

• While Sharif calls for dispute-free South Asia, Modi recalls 26/11 attack and terrorism
• Pakistani PM says region should build upon its strengths to effectively address common issues like socio-economic disparity, poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, health and education
• Says next SAARC summit will be held in Islamabad

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday told SAARC leaders he envisioned South Asia to be a dispute-free region, but his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi seemed hesitant in coming out of the shadows of the past as he raised the issue of terrorism and the 26/11 attacks in an apparent jibe at Pakistan, a move many observers say threatens to ruin regional leaders’ efforts to boost trade and cooperation among almost a quarter of the world’s people.

Addressing the 18th Summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Sharif emphasised that the region, which was home to a quarter of the world’s population, was mired in poverty, disease and illiteracy and had the lowest human and social indicators.

“The region only accounts for six per cent of the world’s GDP in purchasing power parity and is one of the least integrated regions in the world,” he said.

Expressing his commitment to address the issues faced by the region and resolving them, the premier said that the people should be central to the SAARC processes. He added that the region should build upon its inherent strengths in order to effectively address common issues such as socio-economic disparity, poverty alleviation, women empowerment, health and education.

The prime minister said that achieving the objectives would require close coordination at national and regional levels and greater collaboration in all sectors of development.

Touching on the recent monsoon floods in South Asian countries, the premier said that regional coordination on cross-border information sharing was vital, saying that “natural disasters affect everyone, regardless of national boundaries and economic status”.

The prime minister said all South Asian states are vibrant democracies, and hoped that old and new democracies in the region will join hands to make it peaceful and prosperous.

“We should invest in our youth to unleash their talent, creativity and enterprise,” he stressed.

Terming the theme of the conference as the most appropriate in the current scenario, Sharif said deeper integration for peace and prosperity is most appropriate and reflects our common desire for promoting mutual understanding on all issues.

He said the regional countries should also pay special attention towards rural development, expansion of agriculture resource base, development of action plans to combat communicable diseases and development of information and communication technologies.

Sharif pointed out that South Asia has abundant energy resources. We need to collectively focus on harnessing indigenous energy production potential. “We should also consolidate arrangements for trans-regional oil and gas pipelines,” he said.

Highlighting the geo-strategic significance of Pakistan, the prime minister said Pakistan has the potential to integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia. “Soft visa regimes would greatly facilitate the realization of these objectives,” he added.

Sharif also announced that Pakistan will host the 19th SAARC summit in Islamabad.

MODI ON TERRORISM:

Modi began his speech by urging South Asian countries to work and combat terrorism together.

“Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives,” he said. “Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes,” he added, on the sixth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.

LEADERS’ STRESS MORE COOPERATION:

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed said SAARC food bank and seed bank should be established to ensure food security in the region

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa underscored the need for SAARC to address the widening disparity between rich and poor, rural and the urban dwellers and create a vibrant economy in the region.

In his remarks, Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala stressed the need of strong regional cooperation to tap the full potentials of South Asia

SHARIF MEETINGS:

Prime Minister Sharif and Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa held a bilateral meeting in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The two leaders discussed matters pertaining to bilateral relations and the regional situation and agreed to further strengthen and enhance cooperation in diverse fields.

“Pakistan desires to strengthen bilateral ties with Sri Lanka,” the premier said.

Further, Sharif also met Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.