Policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Back to SAARC
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convened a video conference of leaders of the SAARC to collaborate on tackling COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The virtual summit is the first high-level SAARC meet since 2014, and comes after India’s pulling out of the 2016 summit following the Uri attack;
The virtual summit led to the setting up of a
SAARC COVID-19 emergency fund — India will contribute $10-million
Rapid Response Team (of doctors, specialists, testing equipment and attendant infrastructure) to be put at the disposal of the SAARC,
About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
It was established on 8 December 1985.
Its member countries are—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2005)
The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.
SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (2018) of the global economy
Significance of SAARC for India
Neighbourhood first: Primacy to the country’s immediate neighbours.
Geostrategic significance: Can counter China (OBOR initiative) through engaging our neighbours in development process and economic cooperation.
Regional stability: These regional organisations can help in creation of mutual trust (India & Pakistan) and ensure that regional interest over ride bilateral disputes
Global leadership role: It offers India a platform to showcase its leadership in the region by taking up extra responsibilities.
Game changer for India’s Act East Policy: Linking of South Asian economies with South East Asian region will bring further economic integration and prosperity to India particularly in its under-developed Eastern region
Potential for India’s export: With closer economic integration of economies in the region, India’s domestic companies will get access to much bigger market thus boosting their revenues
Challenges of SAARC
Broad area of cooperation leads to diversion of energy and resources.
Low Intra-regional trade: South Asia is the world’s least integrated region; less than 5% of the trade of SAARC countries is within.
Inadequate Political Will: India’s inclination towards Big powers which leads to neglecting its relationship with its neighbours
Bilateral tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, spilling over into SAARC meetings.
Perception of India being a Big Brother vis-à-vis its neighbours whereby India enforces its own agenda on small neighbouring countries through these groupings
Slow implementation of the projects announced by India – declines India’s credibility to deliver on its promises thus pushing Nations to seek help from China or West.
Rising China in the region with its overarching Belt & Road initiative (Cheque book Diplomacy of China)
Impact of COVID-19 on SAARC
Major concern is of an escalation in the virus’s spread in the subcontinent.
With close to 300 positive cases, South Asia has seen a much lower incidence globally, but given its much higher population density, it is clear that any outbreak will lead to far more casualties.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have specific challenges as they share long borders with Iran, which has emerged, after China and Italy, as a major hub of the virus.
Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka worry about the impact on tourism, which is a mainstay of their economies.
Other concerns are about under-reporting, as fewer people are being tested in much of South Asia
Inadequate public health service infrastructure to cope with rising cases, as all SAARC members are developing nations with sub-standard public health infrastructure.
Conclusion
India’s assertive expression of its new willingness to stabilise the region through cooperative mechanisms, without being distracted by short-sighted disingenuous ploys of a troubled Pakistan, is a welcome step for regional cooperation in tackling the pandemic
India cannot afford to not to harvest this opportunity, after having sowed the seeds of a New South Asia.
