Preparing for the next SAARC Summit
- By Sabena Siddiqui
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E-mailChina.org.cn, March 23, 2018
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After a two-year interval, it is now vital that the revival and re-grouping of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) happens as soon as possible for regional re-integration.
Having been relegated to the backseat since India's refusal to participate in the SAARC Summit in 2016 which was to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, it has been given much less attention than it deserves. Now it is the right time to re-assess the options for SAARC and expedite the pending process. Pakistan still has to host the next summit and to announce a new date for later this year.
Formed in 1985, the SAARC Charter requires the respective heads of state or government of all the member countries to meet once a year. This usually transpires every 18 months unless one of the eight members refuses to attend the meet.
In a surprising recent development, an Indian politician Vijay Chauthaiwale has said that India should strive for South Asian economic integration without Pakistan and went on to elaborate that, "We should look at South Asia minus Pakistan. The other countries and larger economies in the region are willing." There is a background to this new school of thought. In the new two-year gap India has been placing more emphasis on lesser known initiatives such as the BIMSTEC and BBIN.
Having been in existence in various capacities since 1997, BIMSTEC is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. India hosted a meeting of security chiefs from the seven member nations recently.
Remarking at the second meeting of this group in October 2017, Foreign Secretary of India S. Jaishankar even referred to SAARC as a "jammed vehicle." Totally focused on moving ahead without Pakistan, India has been projecting the sub-regional BIMSTEC as a viable alternative to SAARC even though it has few achievements to its credit.
Questioning the legitimacy of this platform, some observers have been sceptical about its viability and importance and its relative inactivity as it has only had three summit meetings since 2004. Moreover, the fact that most BIMSTEC members are already members of bigger groups like SAARC or ASEAN renders the group irrelevant.
Suffering from India's lack of interest since its inception, BIMSTEC has never been in the limelight before India decided not to participate in the SAARC summit in 2016. However, considering the reality that the summit was only postponed, not cancelled, it cannot be conveniently brushed under the carpet.
In another symbolic move, early this year the Indian government announced that it will connect just six of the SAARC countries with its National Knowledge Network for sharing scientific databases and remote access to advanced research. Excluding Pakistan from the list was a major faux pas vis-a-vis the region, especially since the two neighbors also happen to be a part of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization now. Such signals only widen the chasm between neighboring states that need to urgently sit together and discuss water distribution issues, resolution of disputes, trade connectivity and many other important matters.
In contrast, Pakistan recently held the 73rd Executive Committee and 22nd General Assembly meetings of the SAARC group in Islamabad this February. Vice presidents from all member countries, including India, attended the two meets which were chaired by SAARC Chamber President Suraj Vaidya, where it was decided to celebrate the silver jubilee of the SAARC Chamber in all member countries.
Considering this ongoing scenario, formalizing China as a member at the next summit would prove highly conducive for the future of SAARC. At the 18th SAARC summit held in Kathmandu in November 2014, China had expressed interest in joining the organization. Representing the China delegation at the 18th SAARC Summit, Vice Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin said, "China is ready to enhance economic cooperation with the SAARC region. China has deepened cooperation in the field of trade, investment and agriculture in the organization since it became an observer. The country has set aside US$550,000 for a SAARC Development Fund. China has already envisioned a SAARC-China Forum to strengthen the ties."
Already having an observer status, consensus of all the members would complete membership formalities and the extension would serve to revive the group and give it new direction and purpose.
Currently the chair of SAARC, Nepal has also backed Pakistan's request to help reactivate the group. Visiting Kathmandu, the Pakistani Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi conveyed the wish to convene the 19th SAARC Summit at the earliest date in Islamabad to improve regional connectivity. Considering the improved relations between China and India these days, as well as their mutual trade interests, India also should have no objection to China's membership in the group. Reorganizing and extending SAARC membership would make it more effective and improve its perspective.
Sabena Siddiqui (Twitter: @sabena_siddiqi) is a foreign affairs journalist and lawyer based in Pakistan.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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