South Asia--time is ripe to act together for a prosperous future
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
South Asia, home of nearly one fifth of the global population, is in the vortex of myriad of problems ranging from economic woes to sensitive political issues that severely afflict the socio-economic advancement of the region. True, there has been efforts at both national and regional levels for the economic uplift of the vast multitude living in the area and some headway has also been definitely made towards that direction. But the grim reality is that many are still mired in abject poverty and the unremitting endeavour to change their plight remains somewhat less productive. The outcome of these efforts has fallen short o expectations because of a variety if reasons, the main one being the lack of sincere and sustained action-oriented thought and deeds that would have produced much greater results towards amelioration of the largely economic problems in south Asia. While this is an undeniable truth that resource constraint and issues like excessive expenditures by some regional nations in areas like defence are thwarting the efforts for economic development. It is also equally true that the kind of determination required for the purpose is absent. At the end of the day, South Asia with a population of more than 1.4 billion is lagging behind many other regions much as Southeast Asia. This is the time when the quest for greater South Asian collective efforts towards common goal of development is expected to bear larger fruits and all the eight countries of the area need to redouble their endeavour in that direction with a greater sense of purpose and more meaningful cooperation.
A more politically favourable atmosphere now exists in the South Asia for the speedy development of the region as a whole. There is no denying that some nations of this area have achieved remarkable economic progress in recent times belying skepticism that existed in certain quarters. Undoubtedly, India the biggest country in the area, in terms of both population and physical size, is leading this economic advancement. However, the extent of this progress could have been far greater for these countries and the region in a collective ambience could have also accomplished larger results. This situation notwithstanding, south Asia should now look forward to more sustained socio-economic development for the benefit of their people – an objective whose success is contingent upon the will and determination of the regional countries.
The emergence of the south Asian association for regional cooperation (SAARC) is definitely a step forward in the direction of collective progress in the vital fields that are inextricably linked to welfare and betterment of the people. It has to be admitted that the SAARC has fallen much short of the expectations because of its lack luster performance. But this has also to be acknowledged that the very emergence of such a forum in a region whose history is replete with enmity and hostility is no less remarkable.
Drawing a quick parallel between the SAARC and the EU or the ASEAN is easy, but such an analogy clearly lacks rationale. For, the EU is a totally different forum with much less political disparities having among its members a standard financial base. Comparison with the ASEAN is also not tenable even though south Asia and the south east Asia are largely similar when viewed from economic strength and the typical political milieu. In fact, the ASEAN countries – some ASIAN members were inimical to each other some years back – have developed common political strategy jettisoning the hitherto enmity that has greatly helped making the ASEAN an effective entity. On the contrary, the south Asian nations – most of them are not in spirit of real cordiality and bonhomie with each other mainly due to bilateral problems. The ASEAN nations could overcome such bilateral problems that spawn essentially from neigbourliness, the scenario is vastly different in south Asia where inherent disliking and even belligerence still run high regardless of the existence of the common forum, SAARC. For instance, SAARC is supposed to meet at the summit level every year and the charter o the forum clearly spells out this meeting of the heads of states or governments. But the SAARC could stage so far fifteen summit in its 25 years of existence which means that it failed o hold the summit in a number of calendar years. Unfortunately, this failure did not occur due to time constrain or other innocuous factors, but because of the differences among the member nations once again for their broad political disputes.
India and Pakistan are the to principal players of the south Asian spectrum and their enmity is too well known since their birth from the British India in 1947, and the perennial rivalry of these two hostile neighbours is unquestionably affecting the SAARC. However, one good thing is that both agreed to the concept when it was mooted by Bangladesh. After initial hesitation New Delhi and Islamabad got long well with the venture, but their hostility if often too clear to afflict the forum. It will be unfair to say that only these two countries are responsible for this unfortunate situation as other smaller nations too have their share in varying degrees. Then, it is once again India and Pakistan who are spending colossal amount of money on defence at the cost of their socio-economic development. The poverty scenario in both the countries has not changed much despite their military and economic progress. Some other nations in the region as well are spending a lot for the non-productive sectors because of domestic turmoil and other reasons.
According to Nobel laureate and celebrated economist professor Amartaya Sen, South Asian nations are spending more in defence than the oil-rich gulf countries at the cost of economic well being of the poor. Another famous economist of the region, late Dr. Mahbubul Haq of Pakistan in his much-acclaimed human index report of south Asia also painted a grim picture of the economic conditions of the overwhelming majority people of the area compared to the defence and other spendings. However, governments of these countries argue that such expenditures result under many compulsions.
Now, things are changing for the better as far as the approach and attitude of the SAARC leaders are concerned about the basic environment in the region. Over three last few years, the outcome of SAARC summits had been more useful and specific. It is not meant to say that the inherent political problems have disappeared or lessened considerably. However, the south Asian leaders are now demonstrating a positive attitude and keeping the disputes that re mainly bilateral in nature under the carpet.
A healthy feature of the south Asian ambience currently is that all the countries in the area now are democratic and the governments are accountable to their peoples. Representative authorities should help accelerate developments and the national governments in the south Asia are now sparing no efforts in the direction of well being of their people. But south Asian leadership requires bigger commitment to the SAARC and uplift of their people -- sign of which are becoming more pronounced now --for the sake of their people. The present overall political climate in the region is congenial for collective economic benefits and the leaders must seize this opportunity for the basic and larger interest of the south Asian people.
— zaglulbss@yahoo.com
A more politically favourable atmosphere now exists in the South Asia for the speedy development of the region as a whole. There is no denying that some nations of this area have achieved remarkable economic progress in recent times belying skepticism that existed in certain quarters. Undoubtedly, India the biggest country in the area, in terms of both population and physical size, is leading this economic advancement. However, the extent of this progress could have been far greater for these countries and the region in a collective ambience could have also accomplished larger results. This situation notwithstanding, south Asia should now look forward to more sustained socio-economic development for the benefit of their people – an objective whose success is contingent upon the will and determination of the regional countries.
The emergence of the south Asian association for regional cooperation (SAARC) is definitely a step forward in the direction of collective progress in the vital fields that are inextricably linked to welfare and betterment of the people. It has to be admitted that the SAARC has fallen much short of the expectations because of its lack luster performance. But this has also to be acknowledged that the very emergence of such a forum in a region whose history is replete with enmity and hostility is no less remarkable.
Drawing a quick parallel between the SAARC and the EU or the ASEAN is easy, but such an analogy clearly lacks rationale. For, the EU is a totally different forum with much less political disparities having among its members a standard financial base. Comparison with the ASEAN is also not tenable even though south Asia and the south east Asia are largely similar when viewed from economic strength and the typical political milieu. In fact, the ASEAN countries – some ASIAN members were inimical to each other some years back – have developed common political strategy jettisoning the hitherto enmity that has greatly helped making the ASEAN an effective entity. On the contrary, the south Asian nations – most of them are not in spirit of real cordiality and bonhomie with each other mainly due to bilateral problems. The ASEAN nations could overcome such bilateral problems that spawn essentially from neigbourliness, the scenario is vastly different in south Asia where inherent disliking and even belligerence still run high regardless of the existence of the common forum, SAARC. For instance, SAARC is supposed to meet at the summit level every year and the charter o the forum clearly spells out this meeting of the heads of states or governments. But the SAARC could stage so far fifteen summit in its 25 years of existence which means that it failed o hold the summit in a number of calendar years. Unfortunately, this failure did not occur due to time constrain or other innocuous factors, but because of the differences among the member nations once again for their broad political disputes.
India and Pakistan are the to principal players of the south Asian spectrum and their enmity is too well known since their birth from the British India in 1947, and the perennial rivalry of these two hostile neighbours is unquestionably affecting the SAARC. However, one good thing is that both agreed to the concept when it was mooted by Bangladesh. After initial hesitation New Delhi and Islamabad got long well with the venture, but their hostility if often too clear to afflict the forum. It will be unfair to say that only these two countries are responsible for this unfortunate situation as other smaller nations too have their share in varying degrees. Then, it is once again India and Pakistan who are spending colossal amount of money on defence at the cost of their socio-economic development. The poverty scenario in both the countries has not changed much despite their military and economic progress. Some other nations in the region as well are spending a lot for the non-productive sectors because of domestic turmoil and other reasons.
According to Nobel laureate and celebrated economist professor Amartaya Sen, South Asian nations are spending more in defence than the oil-rich gulf countries at the cost of economic well being of the poor. Another famous economist of the region, late Dr. Mahbubul Haq of Pakistan in his much-acclaimed human index report of south Asia also painted a grim picture of the economic conditions of the overwhelming majority people of the area compared to the defence and other spendings. However, governments of these countries argue that such expenditures result under many compulsions.
Now, things are changing for the better as far as the approach and attitude of the SAARC leaders are concerned about the basic environment in the region. Over three last few years, the outcome of SAARC summits had been more useful and specific. It is not meant to say that the inherent political problems have disappeared or lessened considerably. However, the south Asian leaders are now demonstrating a positive attitude and keeping the disputes that re mainly bilateral in nature under the carpet.
A healthy feature of the south Asian ambience currently is that all the countries in the area now are democratic and the governments are accountable to their peoples. Representative authorities should help accelerate developments and the national governments in the south Asia are now sparing no efforts in the direction of well being of their people. But south Asian leadership requires bigger commitment to the SAARC and uplift of their people -- sign of which are becoming more pronounced now --for the sake of their people. The present overall political climate in the region is congenial for collective economic benefits and the leaders must seize this opportunity for the basic and larger interest of the south Asian people.
— zaglulbss@yahoo.com