Saarc finance ministers moot

Convergence of hopes and aspirations?

In an era when regional cooperation is considered a key to finding regional solution to common problems, confrontation between Pakistan and India continues to cast a shadow over Saarc. Not that the leaders of the two countries do not realise the need for cooperation. The address delivered by Nawaz Sharif while inaugurating the Saarc finance ministers moot underlines the needs and strengths of the region, the benefits of cooperation and the measures that need to be urgently taken. Sensing the need for regional cooperation Modi invited government leaders of all South Asian neighbouris to his swearing in ceremony. In his first address to the Indian Parliament he talked about the ‘convergence of the region’s shared hopes and aspirations’ and expressed his government’s commitment ‘to work towards building a peaceful, stable and economically interlinked neighbourhood which is essential for the collective development and prosperity of the South Asian Region’.

But when it comes to taking action, something inevitably comes up to apply breaks. As Nawaz Sharif put it in his address, regional connectivity is critical to progress and prosperity of the region ‘which is why Pakistan supports, in principle, road, air, rail and water connectivity in the region’. What is it that stops Pakistan to allow Afghanistan and India to use its road and rail network and seek similar concessions from both? What is it that stops India from agreeing to initiate talks on all outstanding issues with Pakistan including both Kashmir and terrorism? Can’t the two countries develop working relations to enhance trade, jointly devise measures to enable them to cope with regional disasters, water shortages and the ravages caused by environmental changes, keeping their differences on the back burner meanwhile?

Nawaz Sharif in his address said he looked forward to host the Saarc summit in Islamabad on 9 and 10 November this year. With both India and Bangladesh finance ministers absent and no visible move to improve ties with the two countries, few expect the Saarc summit to take place.