Exploring areas of cooperation for SAARC

Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri

The intention of transforming the South Asian region into SAARC Customs
Union or better still SAARC Economic Union expressed during the last
SAARC summit held in New Delhi is no doubt quite formidable, to say the
least. Other issues aside, one thing comes home in very stark terms that
the South Asian leadership is seized of the idea of pooling together their
respective sources, goods and services in creating collective economic
body for the benefit of the member countries on the pattern of European
Union. There is no dearth of those who would certainly doubt the
practicality of such proposition in view of immense structural and political
problems SAARC has historically been faced with. In an atmosphere
marked by dominance of religious rabble-rousing, half truths and lack of
vision to grasp the emerging realities in the global order, conditions may
not be that conducive for the realization of this dream.
However, the difficulties involved in the enterprise should serve to further
boost the efforts for gathering political will for starting the movement
towards the avowed goal. This is, however, not to suggest that real issues
among the South Asian countries should be put at the backburner. What
this writer aims to propose is the fact that time for rigid and inflexible
positions on matters of foreign policy is long past. Every age has its own
preferences and compulsions. Therefore when old methods have failed in
resolving the issues due to maximalist positions, there is a need to
employ more creative and innovative approach to deal with them. The
world experience amply proves that the economic cooperation plays an
important role in creating 'peace' constituencies, which in turn are helpful
in bringing the disparate viewpoints on the negotiating table. That is why
the economic integration of South Asia may be instrumental in resolving
the age-old issues, for economics and politics are inseparable.
South Asia is the poorest, most illiterate and least gender sensitive region
of the world. All countries of the region have very low ranking on the
Human Development Index, which speaks volumes of appalling state of
vital indicators like education, life expectancy and real income. What
really makes the situation further deplorable is the short-sighted vision of
the ruling elite of South Asia towards resolution of the regional problems
and their failure in taking bold initiatives for South Asian regional
cooperation. There are a number of areas where the member countries of
SAARC should cooperate with one another for collective benefit.
South Asian countries should make investments in the field of education.
At a time when knowledge-driven growth is the order of the day around
the world, our educational standards are abysmally low, which do not
correspond to the demands of the market. Furthermore, the female
education is one of the most neglected areas. No country can progress
without capitalizing on the capabilities of its women. But unfortunately
South Asia continues to lag behind the rest of the world in empowering its
woman folk in making them a useful and productive member of the
society. Another aspect of education deficit relates to the child education,
which does not figure that prominently on the agenda of the countries of
the region. Sound education coupled with targeting of nutritional poverty
should be an important ingredient for educational uplift of our peoples.
Energy sector is another very important area where joint cooperation of
the South Asian countries is required. Almost all countries of the region
are hit very hard by the shortage of energy, which is taking heavy toll on
the industrial growth of these countries. In future, this crisis is likely to
worsen with incalculable consequences. In view of this, the countries
should explore various options for the solution of this problem. Gas
pipeline project between India, Iran and Pakistan is a bold initiative and
needs to be pursued much more vigorously than is the case at the time.
Some experts on South Asian affairs have put up the proposal of
interactive energy grid throughout South Asia. The policy makers need to
look into this proposal seriously.
Intra-regional trade between South Asian countries is very low as
compared with other regional blocs like EU, NAFTA and AFTA. Despite
several efforts made in the past, intra-regional trade has not registered
any noticeable growth. The future of SAFTA is not very bright as the
experience of SAPTA suggests. It is now accepted fact that trade is an
important stimulator of economic growth and economic growth is a
necessary condition for poverty reduction. Concrete measures need to be
adopted for enhancing the trade within the region. It is suggested in this
regard that trade barriers are removed to facilitate the flow of trade. India
should take bold decisions in this respect.
Development of infrastructure is a necessary condition for boosting the
intra-regional trade since sustained investment in infrastructure increases
the labour productivity, reduces cost of transportation and production,
both farm and non-farm, and promotes rural-urban linkages.
Growth of Information technology has come to play meaningful role in
achieving development in any country. It has brought countries together
in the form of a global village. India has done well in this sector and
should be a role model for other countries, for growth without
technological basis will be slow and costly. Water is also very important
given its multifold importance and the South Asian countries should also
explore possible solutions of this problem for short-term and long-terms
needs.
It is also required that practical steps are taken for the harmonization of
Customs clearance procedures, quality standards and sanitary and
phytosanitary standards. The establishment of banks and other financial
institutions across the region can also be a target area. Their business
processes and standards should be harmonized.
South Asia has a tremendous potential for growth. What it lacks is the
political will and determined leadership who has the courage to take bold
and practical decisions for the collective good of its people. A lot of time
has already been wasted and the circumstances dictate that we should
grow wiser by the day. For failure is a non-option in today's globalized
world.