External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday said SAARC nations should focus on promoting regional trade and deepening economic linkages with one another, and added that India has taken several measures to boost intra-regional trade.
"India has taken several measures to boost intra-regional trade, including providing duty-free access to goods from SAARC Least Developed Countries (LDC). I urge colleagues from Member states to focus on this key issue of promoting regional trade and deepening our economic linkages with one another," Khurshid said at the SAARC Foreign Ministers' meeting here.
Khurshid said SAARC has traversed a significant distance since its formation in 1985, and added that it has succeeded in creating a framework of institutions and processes which have helped affiliated nations to progress towards the stated common goal of regional integration.
"Since our meeting at the last summit in Addu City, Maldives, in 2011, much time has passed. These meetings over the past few days in Bandos have been very useful in making an assessment of what we have achieved to date, and where we need to make changes. While the overall direction of our progress is positive, we need to move faster and to add momentum to our cooperation within the SAARC framework," he said.
Khurshid asserted that the vision of SAARC, underpinned by historical ties as a region of friendship, development and shared prosperity, remains unchanged.
"To bring this vision to fruition, we need to continue to focus on removing the barriers, physical or otherwise, that stand in the way," he added.
He emphasized that trade is the most critical factor in accelerating regional economic growth.
"The agreement on the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was envisaged as playing a pivotal role in this effort. SAFTA was signed in Islamabad in January 2004 and implemented in 2006. In the years since, intra-SAARC trade flows under SAFTA, while having grown, still do not do justice to the potential that exists for intra-regional trade," he said.
On issue of regional connectivity, Khurshid said, "Our maritime, land and air connectivity is still very tenuous and we must focus on building common infrastructure which transcends our boundaries and interconnects our region. We need only to look at the seamless way in which other regions are connected to understand the enormous benefits that can accrue to our peoples from such an endeavour.
He asserted that SAARC nations must be more imaginative in this sector and think of different ways of connecting our countries, whether through road, rail, and sea or by air or an integrated multi-modal approach for the subcontinent. He also said that enhancing connectivity would help raise all rates of economic growth and accelerate common development.
He also expressed delight with South Asian University in New Delhi started functioning in full earnest and is now in its 4th academic year, with 374 students from all eight SAARC countries.
"We have ambitious plans for this University and the role that it will play in increasingly bringing young people together from all SAARC countries," he said.
He also acknowledged that culture also has its special role to play in promoting mutual understanding and friendship.
"We are happy to see enthusiastic participation by SAARC countries in the Surajkund Crafts Mela, held near New Delhi every year. I would also like to commend the work of the SAARC Cultural Center in Colombo, which has been active in promoting cultural cooperation and awareness, particularly in the fields of literature, films, and music. A SAARC Museum of Textiles and Handicrafts and an associated Training Centre is being established in Delhi in recognition of the age-old textile traditions of the region. The SAARC Bands festival, with rock bands from all SAARC countries, has become an annual feature in New Delhi," he said.
He also said that SAARC needs to clarify its thinking on the nature and the direction of its relationships with partner states who have observer status.
"Some of the observer states have done commendable work with our Association, but it is important that we define a clear set of policies and objectives for these relationships and their future direction, before we move further," he said.
He also said that South Asia is home to one-sixth of humanity and it is a very special part of our planet, not only because of numbers, but due to its wealth of human talent and natural resources, and its rich traditions and culture.
"Its future will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the collective destiny of mankind. It falls upon us to seize the opportunities to improve the quality of life of our peoples and to make our region a beacon of peace and prosperity," he added.
He asserted that the SAARC has come a long way and has succeeded in creating an increasingly relevant framework of institutions and instruments.
"It has provided an invaluable forum for continual contact between leaders, officials and specialists. We need to extend and expand this platform to promote greater interaction and mutual understanding amongst our peoples. Let us work together to infuse greater energy into this organisation, to make it more focussed on our core objectives, and to collectively dismantle the barriers which stand in our way," he said.
He also reiterated India's sincere and abiding commitment towards shared vision of regional prosperity, peace and cooperation.
