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From the Editor’s Desk The idea of regionalism as a means of consolidating integrated relations with the countries in the South Asian region to promote their common politico-economic interests had never occurred in the mindset of the South Asian leaders due to their severe psycho-political and different outlook regarding their own national interests, flavoured with cold war politics. However, some pragmatism evolved among the small countries of South Asia, mainly Bangladesh when SAARC region was established in 1985, under the leadership of Zia-ur-Rahman. In spite of the formation of this regional economic organization, the major powers of the before the fall of the Soviet Union, SAARC was unable to display its potential in global politics. The sudden fall of former Soviet Union and the emergence of a new global order, intertwined with the idea of globalization, made the countries of South Asia overcome their cold war psyche because economic self-development, based on multilateralism, would be the only way out for their individual economic survival. The nation-states of the South Asian region thought it prudent that interdependence and inter-linkages would remain the destiny of their prosperity, since the South Asian region had potentiality of transforming itself into an investment and market destination for world business, where greater intra-regional commitments would give them better space for the welfare of the regional countries. This resulted in that a number of extra-regional powers expressed their interest to act more proactively in the region. Thus, from the 13th Summit onwards in 2003, nine observer members have placed their footing in the SAARC orbit. The Thimpu Summit, held on 28-29 April 2010, was significant not only from the perspective of the South Asian members, but also for the observer members. The theme of the Summit was ‘Towards a Green and Happy South Asia’, where the leaders of the region, through their different speeches, tried to raise the question behind the weak growth of SAARC as a regional organization and pledged wholeheartedly to accelerate the pace of its growth and development. Maybe, the word ‘green’ indicates the beginning of a new ‘greenness’ of SAARC towards a ‘happy’ journey. New Delhi G.Kishore Babu July 2010 Editor

Charting Out the SAARC Destiny: Perambulating its Way Forward

Prof. Tridib Chakraborti

The end of the cold war and ushering in of the new global order has brought about sweeping changes in the nature and scope of international politics. With the demise of bloc politics and Super Power-dictated ideological fervour, the dawn of the post-cold war era has brought out the imperative of multilateralism and interdependent globalisation.  In this backdrop, SAARC, as a vanguard of the South Asian regional order, has evolved since its inception in 1985. However, its performance, particularly in the spheres of economic and trade facilitation, has been hostage to political animosities between and among the member states, especially the India-Pakistan quandary. Nevertheless, the recently concluded SAARC Summit (Thimpu, Bhutan) has heralded a novel disposition in India-Pakistan relations, besides signalling a sincere beginning of a welcome change in the region’s political ambience. It is in this perspective that this paper highlights on the concept of regionalism by charting out the origin, growth and objectives of SAARC, through its various Summit meetings, including the Thimpu Summit of April 2010 and underlines the significance of China’s entry into the South Asian region as an observer member.

 

India and the Origin of Saarc

Dr. Suman Sharma

 

This article analyses India’s approach and priorities with respect to South Asian regionalism during the period 1980 to 1985 when SAARC was formally launched. It examines in detail Indian policy of extreme caution to the proposal for South Asian co-operation initiated by Bangladesh in 1980. The perception and apprehensions of six other members regarding India’s role in SAARC have also been analysed. In this context politico-strategic issues and their impact on regional co-operative efforts in South Asia have been examined.

 

India’s cautious approach could be attributed to the super-power rivalry in Afghanistan, interference of extra-regional powers in the region, extremely hostile neighbourhood and experience of past failure. The options for Indian policy, however, were limited as India could not afford to stay out of regional grouping. India, therefore,  decided to take the plunge for the regional association of SAARC on the condition that contentious, bilateral issues would be excluded from the agenda. In fact, India’s policy as a member of SAARC was to seek regional peace and harmony by emphasizing on socio-cultural factors and co-operation in economic areas. India believed that by pushing socio-economic co-operation and invoking commonality of culture and heritage, the nations of South Asia could overcome the problems created by the political and strategic divergence in the region.

 

SAARC: Bangladesh Perspective

Prof. Nalini Kant Jha

 

Hence, the article attempts to throw light on aims, objectives and role of Bangladesh regarding SAARC in the context of present regional issues as well as its priority areas in the SAARC agenda. Divided into five sections, the next section of this article elaborates the factors and circumstances that influenced Bangladesh to propose a regional cooperation in South Asia and its expectations from this grouping. Section three highlights Dhaka’s role in and contributions to the SAARC process since 1985 to the present time. The priority areas of Bangladesh in the contemporary context have been discussed in section four. Finally, the concluding section makes recommendations for Dhaka to enable it to play a better role towards enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia.

 

Geographical Predisposition to Greater Connectivity

between India and Myanmar

Prof. Y. Yagama Reddy

 

In pursuit of fortifying its relationship with its immediate neighbours of Southeast Asia, India has embarked on Look East Policy in the context of post-Cold War global order. This proactive strategy enabled India to get it associated with several initiatives, like BIMSTEC and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. At the base of this trans-regional cooperation lies India’s North-Eastern Region (NER) which is obviously the natural gateway to Southeast Asia through Myanmar. This bridge of connectivity (NER- Myanmar) is of crucial locational significance, by virtue of geographical proximity, geometric symmetry and historical legacy. This paper attempts to portray NER- Myanmar as a logical regional entity, characterized by a set of commonalities and complementarities predisposed to geographical determinism and historical momentum, capable of reinforcing the spirit and purpose of trans-regional cooperation.  This paper also takes cognizance of inherent strengths and induced limitations of NER with proven strategic significance as well as China’s perceived intentions in Myanmar vis-à-vis India’s expected role in democracy-restoration process in Myanmar.

 

SAARC – Expect no miracles

Praksh Nanda

 

SAARC's failure to bloom as a powerful regional body could be attributed to a single factor — each member state's national interest. Every member wants to get as much as possible from SAARC, if there is any, but share with other SAARC members as little as possible. There is no South Asian ideological bond that unites the people of eight countries.

 

The diehard supporters of the SAARC miss no opportunity to cite the success stories of Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU). But they miss the point that neither the Asean nor the EU has such disparities among its members as these are within the SAARC. Neither the EU nor the Asean has a giant like India within it which is superior in every respect to its neighbours.

 

“SAARC in the Prism of the Himalayan States”

Amrita Banerjee

 

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprises the eight countries of South Asia- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka and Afghanistan; and it is an exclusive forum that has been struggling to bring home a number of messages of friendliness, tranquility and harmony in the region. Through this podium, the South Asian countries commence efforts for alleviating dearth, accelerating socio-economic and scientific advancement through the sharing of ideas and create consciousness regarding pioneering initiatives. The present article is an attempt to understand the Himalayan perspective (Nepal and Bhutan), in South Asia in a larger context of the phenomenon of regional integration across the world and it also emphasizes how SAARC had helped the Himalayan states to expand and advance the relationship with that of other South Asian countries, with indication to what development has taken place in the 16th Summit held at Thimpu.

 

Thimphu SAARC Summit: A Watershed in India-Pakistan Interface

Mohor Chakraborty

 

The recently concluded 16th SAARC Summit in picturesque Thimphu (capital of Bhutan) will certainly go down in the annals of history as a watershed event in the chronology of India-Pakistan ties.  This Summit has been acknowledged as a concrete foundation for correcting the lost rhythm in India-Pakistan relations, particularly in the aftermath of the 26 November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. This optimistic feeling was buttressed by the very cordial and positive exchanges between the attending Prime Ministers, Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Gilani. Since the inception of SAARC in 1985, it has been treated as an amphitheatre for venting anti-India grievances by Pakistan and anti-Pakistan complaints for India, to the dislike and dismay of the other smaller members. However, the recent Summit has exposed the unwillingness of the fellow SAARC members to allow the forum to be used incessantly by India and Pakistan for bilateral animosity and has thereby, paved the way for a greater degree of trust and meaningful interaction between New Delhi and Islamabad.

 

Indian Diaspora as a Factor in India-Myanmar Relations: Implications for SAARC

Dr. Amit Singh

 

The paper aims to study the role of the Indian Diaspora in bridging the gap between India and Myanmar, and enhancing India-Myanmar bilateral relations. This paper will also analyze the role ethnic Indians can play in fulfilling Myanmar’s SAARC aspiration. It traces the history of Indian immigrants in Myanmar and will examine issues related to the Indian Diaspora in the context of Myanmar’s authoritarianism. It will also examine the socio-cultural and politico-economic conditions of ethnic Indians in Myanmar. In addition, the study critically analyses the impact of India’s Diaspora policy on ethnic Indians in Myanmar and its impacts on Burmese Indians.

 

Maldives’ Vision for a Vibrant SAARC

Dr Saurabh

 

Maldives, as a founder member of SAARC, plays a very active role in the association. Maldives has taken the lead not only in calling for a South Asian Free Trade Agreement, the formulation of a social charter, the initiation of informal political consultations in SAARC forums, greater action on environmental issues, the proposal of numerous human rights measures such as the regional convention on child rights and for setting up a SAARC human rights resource centre but also is an advocate of greater international profile for SAARC such as through formulating common positions at the United Nations. Maldives called for a mechanism which could help people in this region develop a common understanding of universal human rights issues and perspectives.

 

SAARC:   The Future Ahead

Dr.  Latha. A. Pandit

 

As SAARC stands at the threshold of the 21st Century having completed two decades of its existence, quite contrary to the general impression that it has failed to take off, the paper takes note of the increased level of co-operation on issues which were once dismissed as mere dreams.  Any evaluation of SAARC depends on our own expectations.  Hence positive expectations are bound to lead to positive outcomes.  Given the political equations in South Asia the very survival of SAARC for nearly two and half decades needs to be seen as an encouraging sign.  The changed political atmosphere especially since the mid 1990’s at the global and regional level have deepened the areas of economic co-operation.  There is an increasing need to give SAARC the time needed to make further progress and be pragmatic in our expectations from SAARC.

 

Re-Visiting SAARC: Lessons from ASEAN

Anushree Bhattacharyya

 

In the backdrop of the recently held 16th SAARC Summit at Thimpu, the article examines the functioning of the SAARC in comparison with the corresponding developments in ASEAN. At the beginning of the regionalization process, both South Asia and Southeast Asia had intractable inter-state political tensions and post-colonial underdevelopment to deal with. However, the two regions took separate course in building their respective regional institutions. The article identifies that regionalism is a social construction. Therefore, tracing the routes and measures that the neighboring Southeast Asia had strived, the author studies the means which are best-suited for encouraging regionalism in South Asia.