SAARC summit ends with a whimper

New Delhi: Terrorism and trade topped the agenda at the 14th SAARC summit but member nations failed to break any new ground. So, is the New Delhi summit going down the same route as the other 13?

Once again the SAARC summit closed with a whimper and not with a big bang.

On terrorism, which topped the agenda at the summit, the member nations promised bold measures and also agreed to implement existing promises.

“Lankan President's reference to terrorism draws our attention to a clear and present danger,” said President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

With no concrete roadmap for action, the member nations will take another shot at it before October when all eight members will meet in Sri Lanka to discuss India's proposal on mutual legal assistance.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan, on their best behavior, have agreed to disagree not just on terrorism but also on trade. So, there was no breakthrough on the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).

However, the South Asian countries have promised to make tangible progress in the energy, food, environment and water sectors. Following are some the steps that will be taken by the member countries.

A new South Asian university will be set up soon and a regional food grain bank.

They have agreed to operationalise the $300 million SAARC Development Fund.

India will give more visas to South Asian students.

And duty free access to poor neighbours.

New observers are also ready to invest in the region now.

Pakistan has also promised to export cement to India.

Not a single project has taken off within SAARC in the past 22 years. So, could this 14th SAARC Summit reverse that trend? What could make the difference from here on is the presence of powerful outsiders keen to involve themselves in South Asia.

(With inputs from Surya Gangadharan)

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