People don't normally start their blog with a disclaimer, but here is one before you start reading the content. Yes, I am one of the hardest skeptics of this Modi euphoria, most of which I believe stems from the resentment of the past rule and the greatest PR campaign than from factual information.
Having said that, one of the most memorable images of Mr.Modi's swearing in ceremony was that of all the SAARC invitees greeting him one by one. It was among the best foreign policy ops seen in the recent times. A grand show of inclusive leadership that wants to embrace not just the nation, but an entire region into its vision of prosperity. A tall order, given the conflict ridden history of the region. Yet, that was the very purpose for the creation of SAARC.
Ironically, the largest country in the region, India was not where this idea emerged. It was Bangladesh. SAARC as it started was a brainchild of Zia Ur Rehman. The organisation was formed in 1985 with seven countries as its members. Afghanistan joined SAARC later in 2007. As many other organisations with lofty ideals, SAARC too has failed to go beyond the grand ceremonies and rhetoric speeches. Partly because of the mistrust of nations towards one another and partly because of India's reluctance to openly taken on the leadership role without seemingly intimidating the smaller nations. Pakistan's constant failures at curbing transborder terror had added further complications to the already fragile web of SAARC.
This might be the perfect time to look back into the highly criticized Gujral Doctrine. The Doctrine now followed among many counties in the world for neighbour country relationships, has been completely shunned in India. Rightfully so, as adopting the Gujral doctrine caused one of the biggest intelligence failures, the 2008 Mumbai attacks. With the exception of Pakistan, the principles of equity based rather than equality based foreign policy guidelines may still hold relevance with respect to other smaller countries in the region.
The vision of the organization so far has been of trade liberalisation among the SAARC nations. SAPTA and SAFTA are two main trade related agreeements signed by it's members. Though commendable, the agreements are yet to take off onto their full potential because of the Sensitive list(no tariff concession list) clauses.
The focus must now be shifted to extend the regional cooperation beyond trade and security affairs. Finding a common ground among the issues all the SAARC nations face, like poverty, lack of education, gender inequality or other social concerns and offering cooperation in solving these matters can act as a confidence building process. Establishing a common programme to deal with these problems may help in changing mindsets and offering solutions unique to this culturally similar region. Although India has a huge task cut out to solve these issues within it's own society, offering assistance to other members also may actually serve it's own interests in the long run. Problems of illegal migration, terrorism, water allocation are in some ways related to poverty and lack of education.
If India were to become a nation to reckon with in world politics, revival of SAARC is the first step towards it. That is exactly why the invitation to all SAARC leaders might be considered a fine gesture by the new government. Economic and social stability in the region is vital to India's long term goals.
This might be the perfect time to look back into the highly criticized Gujral Doctrine. The Doctrine now followed among many counties in the world for neighbour country relationships, has been completely shunned in India. Rightfully so, as adopting the Gujral doctrine caused one of the biggest intelligence failures, the 2008 Mumbai attacks. With the exception of Pakistan, the principles of equity based rather than equality based foreign policy guidelines may still hold relevance with respect to other smaller countries in the region.
The vision of the organization so far has been of trade liberalisation among the SAARC nations. SAPTA and SAFTA are two main trade related agreeements signed by it's members. Though commendable, the agreements are yet to take off onto their full potential because of the Sensitive list(no tariff concession list) clauses.
The focus must now be shifted to extend the regional cooperation beyond trade and security affairs. Finding a common ground among the issues all the SAARC nations face, like poverty, lack of education, gender inequality or other social concerns and offering cooperation in solving these matters can act as a confidence building process. Establishing a common programme to deal with these problems may help in changing mindsets and offering solutions unique to this culturally similar region. Although India has a huge task cut out to solve these issues within it's own society, offering assistance to other members also may actually serve it's own interests in the long run. Problems of illegal migration, terrorism, water allocation are in some ways related to poverty and lack of education.
If India were to become a nation to reckon with in world politics, revival of SAARC is the first step towards it. That is exactly why the invitation to all SAARC leaders might be considered a fine gesture by the new government. Economic and social stability in the region is vital to India's long term goals.
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