The gathering of the government leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) ended on a happy note in New Delhi. Noticeably, the successful conclusion of the 14th SAARC Summit has sent a clear message to all with greater hope for a brighter future for the region. The apex meeting this time has emphasised regional connectivity — physical, economic and social — among all member states with priority to poverty reduction since the region is home to the world’s largest number of poor people.

A greater vigilance over terrorist activities has also been put on the cards with further measures agreed upon by the leaders. The promising 30-point declaration will certainly leave an indelible imprint in the annals of SAARC achievements. Rightly, the enforcement of the SAFTA provisions, albeit frequented by frictions and dissonances between India and Pakistan, is regarded as a hallmark that will indicate economic cooperation in regional integration. Meanwhile, the journey of SAARC seems progressing now towards the direction of what its founders had visualised some 22 years back.

Notwithstanding the slow paced development toward integration, especially the economic one in the past, SAARC now appears set to gain momentum in mobilising the regional forces to meet the desired goals of peace, progress and prosperity. But effective implementation of past promises and action plans is important. That will complement the integration evolving in Asia that may be helpful to turn into reality the often predicted notion that the 21st century will be the century of Asia.

To capitalise on the expected gains, the leaders have to give larger thought to embrace a democratic process in the SAARC by initiating people-friendly plans and actions. The SAARC Charter, when adopted in 1985, was much influenced by the prevailing situation then. As a consequence, the provision of consensus was given greater importance, which seems not so democratic now. Too simply, it is very hard, if not impossible, to arrive at a consensus at a time of divisive socio-political tendencies. Instead, the modern provision of giving an appropriate voting weightage to the member states commensurate with each member’s political and economic status that it enjoys would have been better. A fresh look with a view to amend the Charter to be in keeping with the democratic principles prevalent now appears desirable.

The spirit of SAARC and the regional integration process is still either unknown or little known to the masses of South Asia, although people-related movements like People’s SAARC, SAARC People’s Forum, and People’s Summit exist and work to ventilate the grievances of the people before every SAARC summit. Critcs think that the activities of SAARC are still taken as the handiwork of bureaucrats not so much seriously taken by the politicians. However, recent developments indicate an increasing interest among the politicians for greater status to make SAARC more achievement-oriented and people- centric.

Undeniably, South Asia is still home to the most deprived peoples. Around 44 per cent of the total poor of the world live in this region. Poverty alleviation goals, although the main programme adopted by the SAARC, could hardly meet the requirements to drive away the sufferings widespread in the region. The much-hyped poverty alleviation schemes, however, need to be complemented by programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme run in India and the pro-poor people banking service invented and enforced by Prof. Mohamed Yunus of Bangladesh on a regional scale. This requires collective political will among the SAARC leaders complemented by the determination to end regional poverty.

Now the chairmanship of the SAARC has been assumed for a year by the experienced and able leaders of India. Their creative ideas and innovative programmes reinforced by the well-thought out planning will be of immense help and support to take SAARC to a new trajectory leading to a promising future for South Asia. With a successful conclusion of the 14th SAARC Summit, the political leadership of India could be expected to show their vision to make SAARC people-serving. For the position of India is now incomparable in South Asia with its impressive economic growth rate making tremendous impact all over the world. Its gross domestic product is now justifiably expected to reach US $1 trillion mark in 2008. In fact, it is in a good position to contribute substantially to SAARC. Only the question of political will remains there to move ahead during India’s chairmanship.

Additionally, a congenial atmosphere for inter-state relationship in the region is also a factor to be reckoned with for greater South Asian integration to flourish. Fortunately, positive sings are not lacking in the region.

Shrestha is ex-foreign ministry official