As Pakistan is all set to host the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad, Islamabad has extended an olive branch to New Delhi inviting it to join the moot virtually if it does not want to be present in-person. Now it is up to New Delhi as to how it responds to the positive gesture made by Islamabad.
Launched in 1985 with the ambition to replicate the European Union, SAARC still gropes for ways to fulfil its dream. The event is attended by heads of the states or governments of eight member states, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, at venues jointly decided by member states on a rotation basis. SAARC provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. The main purpose of SAARC is to promote cooperation and friendly relations among member states. To some extent, SAARC has made progress and brought the member states together, but due to conflicting relations between certain member countries, including two of the bigger states – Pakistan and India – SAARC is unable to be much productive, and has not able to move in the smooth way that was expected at its inception. It is being postponed since 2016 due to Indian obduracy.
The SAARC summit is a great opportunity for Pakistan and India to become engaged in a positive manner, and initiate a process of talks to sort out issues. Besides India, Pakistan needs to attach importance to its relations with other SAARC countries for regional peace, stability and development. All South Asian governments need to cooperate in different aspects of development of their countries because that mutual cooperation would have a positive impact on this South Asian region that is full of natural resources and hitherto untapped human potential. Member states should enhance trade within regional states, and priority should be given to neighbouring states.
