Evolving South Asian Fraternity by South Asian Media Net

May 15-20, 2005, Islamabad/Bhurban, Pakistan

For the successful holding of SAFMA's Parliamentary Forum: South Asian Parliament on 'Evolving South Asian Fraternity', we owe our gratitude to Bangladesh's President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Leader of the Opposition and President of Awami League Sheikh Hasina, Chairman of Jatiya Party Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition and President of Bharatiya Janata Party Lal Krishn Advani, President of Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi, President of Communist Party of India A. B. Bardhan, President of Revolutionary Socialist Party Abani Roy, President of Bahujan Samaj Party Mayawati, President of Telugu Desam Party Chandrababu Naidu, President of Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Prakash Karat, President of Rashtriya Janata Dal Laloo Prasad Yadav, President of Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav, President of Janata Dal-United Sharad Yadav, Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Leader of the Opposition, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, President of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Benazir Bhutto, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Mian Nawaz Sharif, Leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain, President of Pakistan Peoples Party and Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, State Minister for Youth and Culture Muhammad Ali Durrani, State Minister for Interior Dr Shahzad Waseem, Chief Minister of Punjab Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaske, United National Party Ranil Wickremasinghe, Sri Lankan Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem, and President of Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan. Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Chaudhary Amir Hussain deserves our most profound thanks for facilitating this conference in many ways. The invaluable contributions made by experts especially Dr Akmal Hussain, Ramaswami Iyer, C. Raja Mohan, Iqbal Haider, S. D. Muni, Aitzaz Ahsan, Ejaz Haider, Mahendra P. Lama and Dr. A. R. Kemal made the proceedings of South Asian Parliament very informed and well directed. However, without the solid work done by the Central Secretariat of SAFMA, especially Sirmed Manzoor, and the National Chapters of SAFMA, particularly SAFMA, Pakistan and its General Secretary Mustansar Javed, this conference could not have taken place.

onvening 'South Asian Parliament' was not a small initiative that South Asian Free Media Association undertook. A lot of research, analytical work and networking had to be undertaken and, above all, the political leadership across various divides in each country had to be taken into confidence. Thanks to the goodwill of SAFMA's National Chapters and efforts by its Central Secretariat, the organizers were able to bring together 83 members of parliament from almost all parliamentary parties represented in the legislatures of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with the approval of their party leadership, besides 68 leading journalists and experts. Representing all shades of opinion in each parliament and comprising 26 leading parliamentary parties, this was undoubtedly the fist authentic and representative assembly of South Asia that met for six days in Islamabad and Bhurban, Pakistan, from May 15 to 20, 2005. The Nepalese delegation, consisting of former members of parliament, was conspicuous by its forced absence, although SAFMA Nepal officials were present. SAFMA Parliamentary Forum: South Asian Parliament deliberated upon major policy areas of regional cooperation and addressed most pivotal issues in its eight marathon sessions: A South Asian Vision, Economic Cooperation in South Asia, Water Issues and the Energy Grid, South Asian Parliament, South Asian Human Rights Code, Cooperative Security in South Asia, Right to Know and Independence of Media and Bhurban Declaration on Evolving South Asian Fraternity. Most amazing and encouraging was the level and quality of contribution made by the elected representatives of the peoples. Invariably, each participant rose above domestic and interstate rivalries and contributed to the proceedings from an internationalist South Asian position. For six days, and without a day's break, they kept their heads together to set the direction for creating a South Asian fraternity to build its edifice on sound footing and,

surprisingly, without any acrimony. I had in fact not imagined the kind of goodwill, farsightedness, flexibility and adjustment the MPs from various and conflicting backgrounds showed. Knowing exactly where they could upset others, they kept an intelligent restraint that helped develop a widest possible consensus on what appeared to be somewhat divisive issues. Most valuable was the contribution made by the experts from our region who set the tone for all sessions. Developing a South Asian vision with an aim to create South Asian Free Trade Area, Customs and Tariff Union, Monetary Union, Regional Energy Grid, Human Rights Code, Cooperative Security and Conflict Resolution Mechanism, South Asian Parliament and South Asian Union is no small achievement. Approved with the agreement of all participants, Bhurban Declaration is a testimony to the genius of our people. The rapport they built among themselves and the trust they infused in one another provide a human edifice to take big strides in building our own South Asia as a most advanced, peaceful and prosperous region of the world. By bringing the elected representatives of the people at the centrestage of making a New South Asia, SAFMA has done a most remarkable job in promoting the SAARC process. This is now up to the elected representatives of the people to pursue the vision enunciated by the Bhurban Declaration, which provides the basis for regional cooperation. On the call of the South Asian Parliament, SAFMA has taken the responsibility to convene Second South Asian Parliament in May 2007, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the War of Independence. With this conference the dream of a South Asian Vision has come closer and elected representatives from four member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation taking lead in pursuing the vision as enshrined in the Bhurban Declaration will result in a process of creating a South Asian Parliament. Let me thank leaders of all parties, experts, MPs, SAFMA national chapters and, above all, the government of Pakistan and its various officials, especially Speaker of the National Assembly Ch Amir Hussain, who made this historic event a real success.

Opening Ceremony

A Dream Worth Realizing

SAFMA's Roadmap 16

M. Ziauddin

Report: Session-II

Evolving South Asian Fraternity

Economic Cooperation in South Asia Rapporteur: Wirasat Hussanain Rizvi

Mr. K. K. Katyal

Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of SAFMA

Overcoming Poverty

Session-III Water Issues and Energy Grid

Chaudhary Amir Hussain Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan

Water and Inter-State Relations

Ramaswamy R. Iyer

Pursuing Common Goals

Speeches by Parliamentarians

Water: A Bigger Challenge

Syed Shahid Husain

A Wholist Approach

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz

Report: Session-III

Rapporteur: Muralidhar Reddy

Session-I South Asian Vision

Energy Cooperation in South Asia

Mahendra P Lama

Envisioning South Asia

Dr. Akmal Hussain

South Asian Vision

Session-IV South Asian Parliament

Rapporteurs: Neerja Chaudhary and Waqar Mustafa

A South Asian Parliament

S. D. Muni

Free Movement of People

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao

Time hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Come

Aitzaz Ahsan

Session-II Economic Cooperation in South Asia

SAFTA and Economic Cooperation Dr. A. R. Kamal

Report: Session-IV 49

Rapporteur: Pankaj Vohra

Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed President, People's Republic of Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina Leader of the Opposition

I am happy to know that the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) has organised this meeting of the parliamentarians of South Asia for evolving regional fraternity. I strongly feel that South Asia needs to pursue the policy of strengthening cooperation and improving understanding among the states, governments and the people for greater good of the region. Bangladesh is committed to regional cooperation and strengthening of SAARC. The parliamentarians' deliberations and adoption of declaration would help SAARC to undertake pragmatic steps for promoting trade, investment and eradication of poverty. I believe that the next SAARC summit, which is going to be held in November this year, would pave the way for evolving cooperative efforts for harnessing the potential of the region. We must not forget that it is our collective responsibility to pull up the world's largest number of poor below the poverty line living in this region. I hope the journalists of South Asia would continue their efforts to create an environment in the region for peace, stability and progress. They should use their pen for making South Asian a region of peace, development and prosperity.

I am happy that South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) has organised a meeting of the members of parliament and leading political parties of South Asia. I believe the 'SAFMA Parliamentary Forum for South Asian Parliament' will provide a unique opportunity for the MPs of the member countries of SAARC to exchange views and interact in order to promote and strengthen parliamentary democracy in each country to resolve regional issues and disputes, defuse conflicts and tension in South Asia, defend human rights in our countries, remove the fear of terrorism and reinforce the process of South Asian cooperation and economic integration this indeed is the dream and aspiration of the South Asian people. The South Asian region is yet to see strong parliamentary institutions. Conflict resolution, expansion of regional cooperation by de-politicisation of economic agenda and promotion of people-to-people contact can give a real boost to South Asian cooperation and integration. I wish the success of this SAFMA initiative, as I believe the media and the civil society can supplement the efforts of South Asian political leadership in resolving conflicts and promoting regional cooperation and integration.

Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India I am happy to know that the South Asia Free Media Association is organizing a Parliamentary Forum in Islamabad, with participation of an impressive representation of distinguished parliamentarians and media personalities from India. The event is yet another example of the earnest desire among our people for peace and friendship. We need to build further on this reservoir of goodwill on both sides, based on our affinities and commonalities. Greater contact between civil societies in our region, now taking place across the spectrum in overwhelming numbers, will open the doors for a better appreciation of our viewpoints and contribute towards the efforts of the governments to build a durable structure of peace and stability in South Asia. India attaches great importance to the ongoing process of engagement and confidence building in its neighbourhood and towards building a network of cooperative and constructive relationships in the South Asian region. I wish SAFMA every success in its endeavours in this direction.

L. K. Advani Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha It is heartening to note that apart from media related problems, SAFMA had been addressing issues concerning peace, stability and cooperation in the region. I was struck by the very theme of SAFMA's recent conclave of parliamentarians: “Evolving South Asian Fraternity.” The word “Fraternity” has a very powerful resonance to it, more so in view of the reality of tensions and hostilities that marked until recently the relations between two major countries in South Asia--India and Pakistan. I want to compliment SAFMA for spreading the message of South Asian Fraternity through various initiatives. These initiatives have the potential to make a far-reaching impact. It would not be an exaggeration to say that by sketching the scenario of a South Asian Fraternal Community, your forum has scripted the trailer of the things that could happen in South Asia in 21st century. SAFMA's contribution in this regard has been truly outstanding.

General Pervez Musharraf President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Shawkat Aziz Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The efforts of Safma for bringing together the South Asian parliamentarians at a forum are laudable because it is the MPs who decide the destiny of the people.

I appreciate the role of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) for organizing South Asian Parliamentarians conference. The people-to-people contact should be promoted to enhance bilateral relations.

The South Asian parliamentary conference is a timely initiative at a time when Saarc is moving forward after the signing of the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) agreement last year. I think the media should facilitate forward movement by initiating discussions on options. Free media is an important pillar of democracy. Media in Pakistan enjoy freedom of expression like never before. It was my government, which allowed introduction of private TV and radio channels. We have allowed voicing of diverse opinions and criticism of top leadership. I hope that South Asian media would be more discreet and responsible in their reporting. I renew an earlier assurance given to Safma to allow free movement of journalists from Saarc, including India, to all parts of Pakistan.

It is indeed the role of a free and responsible media, as a part of civil society, to help promote peace, cooperation and understanding between peoples, especially among neighbouring countries. South Asia is rich in human and natural resources and through mutual cooperation it has the potential to become one of the major centres of economic powers in the world. South Asians are resilient and enterprising, intelligent and industrious and they have made their mark in every field - from aerospace to the arts; and in every country - from the United Arab Emirates to the United States. Pakistan believes in the need for adopting a realistic and practical approach towards regional integration and I appreciate the role of SAFMA and other organizations in this regard. The parliamentarians of the South Asia have a responsibility to play a crucial role in fostering peace by helping to resolve dispute and building bridges of understanding to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.

Representation in South Asian Parliament Countries

Parties Represented

Members of Parliament

Journalists/ Experts/SAFMA

Total

Stopped from participation

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Nationalist Party, (5) Awami League, (4) Jatiya Party, (1) Jamaat-e-Islami, (1) Independent, (1)

India

Congress Party, (6) Bharatiya Janata Party, (7) Rashtriya Janata Dal, (3) Communist Party of India, (2) Communist Party of India Marxist, (2) Revolutionary Socialist Party, (1) Bahujan Samaj Party(2) Telugu Desam Party, (2) Lok Janshakti Party, (1) Samajwadi Party, (2) Janata Dal-United, (2) National Conference, (1)

Nepal

Nepali Congress Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) Nepali Congress (D) People's Front Nepal National Democratic Party

Pakistan

Pakistan Muslim League, (10) Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, (6) Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, (5) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, (3) Muttahida Qaumi Movement, (6) PPP-Patriot, (2)

Sri Lanka

United People's Freedom Alliance, (2) United National Party, (3) Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, (1) Tamil National Alliance, (2)

Total: 83

Total: 68

Total: 151

The presidium of the opening session: (Right to left) M. Ziauddin, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya, Abu Hena, Reazuddin Ahmed, Speaker, National Assembly, Ch. Amir Hussain, Imtiaz Alam, Ashwini Kumar, Sripathi Suriarachchi, Gopal Thapaliya, Aroosa Alam

SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam presenting SAFMA's vision of South Asia in the opening session

Asia. And now this dream is coming true after more than 20 years in the shape of SAFTA. So, there is no reason not to have faith in the dream that one day we would have a South Asian Parliamentary Union on the lines of the European Parliament. Once even the European Parliament was nothing more than a dream. Some say attempts to unify the disparate nations of Europe had preceded even the modern nation states and had occurred repeatedly throughout the history of the continent since the collapse of the Roman Empire. But Europe's heterogeneous collection of languages and cultures made these attempts based on dynastic rights, or enforced through military subjugation of unwilling nations unstable and doomed to failure.

or me and my colleagues in the SAFMA, the occasion is like living a dream.

The idea behind the Forum is the sole brainchild of Mr. Imtiaz Alam, the Secretary General of SAFMA. And he is a pathological dreamer. To start with, it is his dream to boost interaction among the leading parliamentary parties of South Asia. Normally dreams do defy reality. But man has frequently defied this principle. The founders of SAARC also had a dream--a dream that visualized the reintegration of the economies of South

We have also passed through similar history when kings and colonialists tried to unify South Asia despite its heterogeneous collections of languages, religions and cultures. These attempts were doomed to fail because the will of the people was missing from the union which, in the two centuries leading to the end of the colonial era in the region had at least given it a common official language, a common legal system, a common education system, a common administrative system, an integrated economy, an integrated transport route and system, and a common lingua franca, Hindustani, an amalgam of Urdu and Hindi, to name a few commonalities. Europe's idea of a SAARC like union was first mooted in 1950 when on May 9 that year the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his proposal

on the creation of an organized Europe stating that it was indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. From this idea flowed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) which was formed in 1951 by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and Germany, France and Italy. Its purpose was to pool the steel and coal resources of the member states, thus preventing another European war. In the efforts of Pakistan and India to share a common gas pipeline coming from Iran one could perhaps see the same motive besides mutual economic benefit that had brought the six European countries into the ECSC. The formation of ECSC was followed by the establishment of European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community even before the end of the decade of 1950s. And the European Parliament as we see it today came into being in 1979. It was almost a thirty- year process. And this process is still continuing for deepening and widening the Union. If the people of South Asia are taking it longer to achieve what the Europeans had accomplished within three decades, it is no cause to be concerned. The wide difference in the development levels of the two societies explains South Asia's slow trot. Only time will help us overcome this deficiency. So, it is not a dream that we are pursuing but an attainable reality. But let us not stop dreaming. And let us use this Forum to discuss on how to make the dream of a South Asian Union, South Asian Economic Community and South Asian Parliament come true.

Imtiaz Alam

he world is changing and at a speed not known to human history. Most profound are the changes that are taking place in Asia to take the centre-stage for the first time in modern history. In the next 25 years, Asia will have two largest economies of the world with China becoming the No.1 and India becoming the No.3 economic power. Seen in South Asian context, the region as a whole could become the hub of the second largest economy, leaving United States behind. And with China bordering four states of the subcontinent, China and South Asia together can become the largest economic regional grouping with no comparable rival. The centre of economic gravity will for the first time tilt in favor of South Asia, if Chain also joined the grouping at some stage. Consequently, the dynamic of current globalization that favors more developed countries of the West will turn in the service of Asia. In this 21st century, which belongs to Asia, and in the next two decades, South Asia and China can together reshape history with half the world population residing here. But, are we preparing for the role the 21st century is going to assign us? The

skeptics, who live in the past, may drag their feet, but the historic opportunity is there to grasp by those who see history moving to their side. The time has for the first time come to support formerly colonized people. Given our common history of national resistance to colonialism that most of us lost in 1857, the history will, however, not repeat itself in colonialism-byreverse. With a most contiguous region of the world, a common history to share and similarities of cultures, South Asia has fewer baggage(s) to shed than Europe or the Far East. South Asia is now booming with the ideas of regional cooperation, as reflected by SAFMA's conference on regional cooperation at Dhaka. Significant sections of intelligentsia, economists, experts, journalists and peace activists have begun to take a wholist approach towards the collective good of the region as they increasingly find state-centric and securitycentered approaches inconsistent with the interest of our 1.4 billion people. The holding of this Forum of South Asian Parliament on Evolving South Asian Fraternity reflects the urge of our intelligentsia and the people to outgrow the past and take

‘

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Chaudhary Amir Hussain Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan

am grateful to the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), for providing me an opportunity to speak to the leading parliamentarians and media personalities from our region. Pakistan has always supported the activities of SAFMA. President Musharraf and other leaders of Pakistan have always appreciated the constructive and useful role played by SAFMA in bridging the mistrust and suspicion amongst peop1es and countries of South Asia. Let me assure you that we shall continue patronizing the efforts of SAFMA to promote peace in the region. We live in a global village. Regions are getting closer to expand their space in a competitive world. In this fast changing world, Asia is preparing to take the lead to make it an Asian Century. By 2030, Asia will have two largest economies of the world with China becoming the largest and the next-door neighbour of the subcontinent. We in South Asia are also at a crossroads of history and can grasp the opportunity to benefit from the rapid economic transformation taking place in and around our region. For that to happen, we will have to think out of the box and move forward in terms of our collective good, which is larger than our individual interests. We need to address and resolve our disputes and differences in a spirit of flexibility and forward looking approach. Twenty first century belongs to Asia. South Asia and China together, can reshape history where half of the world population is residing. No doubt, South Asia has the largest population of poor, almost 40 percent of the poor of the world live here, but at the same time we have the youngest population, which is capable enough, to recreate our future. The time is on our side and we must respond to its demands. There is no dearth of new ideas in South Asian regional cooperation and we can benefit from the intellect of our experts to identify the ailments and prescribe the treatment. The time has come to respond to the

yearnings of our people by 'seizing the opportunity knocking at doors. The road to evolving South Asian fraternity is not difficult, if there is will and sincerity to address the differences purposefully. This approach demands determination and commitment by the political leadership. There could be no cause greater than the progress and development of our people. In my view, the idea of South Asian Parliament is good but premature at this stage. To build a durable and lasting edifice we need to have solid foundations. To lay these foundations, certain tools are a perquisite. In my reckoning, we are at a stage where we need to identify tools of building mutual trust, confidence, and evolve mechanisms to address disputes and differences in an amicable manner. The disputes, such as Jammu and Kashmir, which have marred relations between two major countries of the region for the last 57 years, must be resolved according to the wishes of Kashmiri people. It is not only in the best interest of both the neighbouring countries but the whole region. The landmark agreements reached at the historic Islamabad SAARC Summit created hope for efforts towards collectively tackling the real issues faced by the peoples while meeting the demands of globalization and the WTO regime at the regional level. The agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) requires effective implementation, expanding the space for trade and more importantly, economic collaboration and development. The 12th SAARC Summit also agreed on a Social Charter and approved a plan to alleviate poverty in our region. Together we can overcome poverty, protect environment and evolve various forums and mechanisms to push the process of regional cooperation forward.

THE PRESIDIUM: Left to right, MP from Bangladesh Abu Hena, SAFMA President Reazuddin Ahmed, Speaker of Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Assembly Ch. Amir Hussain, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, MP from India Ashwini Kumar, MP from Sri Lanka Sripathi Suriarachchi and SAFMA Nepal President Gopal Thapalya

Glimpses of Inaugural Session

being propagated and the ground realities.

Pursuing

Common Goals

Soviet Union was a very strong alternative political power. Its leadership moved towards reforms only when it was about to fall. We have to keep our eyes open for these things as well. All Islamic powers are being projected as fundamentalist only to rally an alliance against them. This is not a problem of an individual, a community or a country. If we took an initiative for regional cooperation, we would not accept any country's hegemony. So, we cannot deny the importance of and need for this forum. We need to grow together. SAARC is not a political platform but the goals and objectives of SAARC countries can not be achieved without the solution of regional political disputes. There is no doubt that we are dishing out confidence building measures to win each other's trust. But Kashmir dispute is a big problem between India and Pakistan and a hurdle in solving many other issues. If we have to improve this situation, we will have to be practical.

Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan People living closer have more or less similar problems. People living in one country have common national goals and in the same way people living in one region have common goals. They should stand together to solve their problem. They should all strive together for achieving these goals. It is unfortunate that after the downfall of the Soviet Union, world politics has turned uni-polar. Globalization has been programmed to impact not only countries but also their local government programmes. It seems a progressive thing but in fact underdeveloped and developing countries have some reservations about globalization. A new world order is emerging under which underdeveloped and third world countries feel that their geographical boundaries are not safe. This new international system may sound very nice but due to this our geographical boundaries, our freedom, our internal security and our sovereignty are not safe. Afghanistan is a living example for all of us. This whole situation is being projected under the name of Afghanistan freedom. Iraq's peace, tranquility and democracy are being built on a war forced from outside. There is a huge difference between what is

To solve the problem, political and democratic powers should come forward. Whenever the political powers lose their competence, non-democratic powers take the reigns over. When non-democratic powers take control of the situations, people lose participation. People's leaders lose power in parliaments. And international forces encourage nondemocratic powers. We should encourage the democratic forces and as well people's representatives should back this platform. If we have to solve Kashmir issue, we should think beyond the level bureaucracy does. We have to give this issue to politicians to solve it. Bureaucrats do not go beyond files while politicians talk with an open mind and if they face some deadlock, they come up with an alternative without any hesitation. In our region, small countries should not have the reason for feeling insecure from economically developed countries. Big countries should work for the betterment of small countries. We have to prepare our region for the World Trade Organisation regime. We should think at the SAARC forum how we can face globalization. We should solve our problems on this regional platform, be it water issue, trade issue, energy issue or some political issue. Nikhil Kumar, ruling Congress Party MP from India All of us will like South Asia to be a region of peace, prosperity,

Nikhil Kumar

Nilotpal Bhasu

Shah Muhammad Rooh-ul-Qudus

Shahid Siddiqi

Wasim Sajjad

M. Ravi Raj

Aitzaz Ahsan

Dr. Farooq Sattar

Sripathi Suriarachchi

M.H.M Haleem

Abu Hena

Sadia Abbasi

P.P. Koya

Vote of Thanks

Reazuddin Ahmed, President of SAFMA

A Wholist Approach

There is a need for substantive dialogue for peaceful settlement of all existing disputes in the region and mechanisms to address issues on bilateral and multilateral basis with respect to the sovereign equality of all states. With strategic restraint and avoidance of an arms race in the region, the SAARC, having one fifth of the world population, could make rapid progress. Strengthening of regional cooperation, especially within SAARC, in the economic, trade, cultural and technical fields, is need of the hour. There should be cooperation in South Asia as a whole and with other subregions of Asia for the progress and prosperity of the region. Instead of focusing the energies and resources towards overcoming the challenges being faced by South Asia, we have in the past remained mired in the elusive search for security or even in the delusion of domination. Historic disputes and tensions have dissipated the creative forces and growing military expenditures have drained the valuable resources. The people living in South Asia have tremendous potential and they only need opportunities and the necessary conducive environment to flourish for the benefit of their countries and the region as a whole.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz

We need to take a holistic approach that encompasses the entire spectrum of inter-state relations in South Asia. Pakistan strongly believes that the creation of a climate of peace and

stability, resolution of differences and disputes and simultaneous building of economic synergies could transform the lives of the people. Pakistan is fully committed to the laudable goal of promoting peace and prosperity in South Asia. Ever since Pakistan and India began the composite dialogue process 15 months ago, Pakistan has demonstrated courage and flexibility for the sake of a lasting peace. We have entered this dialogue process with the firm commitment that it would result in a just and durable solution to all issues with India, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which would be acceptable to Pakistan, India and especially the Kashmiri people. Pakistan remained committed to the dialogue process and believed that it is irreversible. Some progress has been achieved in the form of confidence building measures and people-to-people contacts, but both the countries have reached a juncture where they must move beyond dispute management to dispute resolution. A just and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with wishes of the Kashmiri people lies at the heart of the people process. Pakistan hopes that the differences and tensions between other South Asian countries can also be addressed through a sustained dialogue process which would ensure peaceful and equitable solutions to these issues. As a responsible neighbour, Pakistan can be relied upon to facilitate this process in any way acceptable to the parties concerned. Excerpts from the Prime Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech at a reception he hosted for the delegates

South Asian Vision 32

THE PRESIDIUM: Left to right, Akmal Hussain, Kazi Zafarullah, MP from Bangladesh, Nilotpal Basu, MP from India, Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General, SAFMA , H. R. Mithrapala, MP from Sri Lanka and Nirmala Sharma, SAFMA Nepal Chapterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Secretary SECRETARIAT: Waqar Mustafa, N M Ameen, Ghazi Salahuddin, K K Katyal, Reazuddin Ahmed and Gopal Thapaliya

Session-I South Asian Vision

SOUTH ASIAN VISION 34

Envisioning South Asia

I. South Asia can lead the World South Asia is at a historic moment of unprecedented potential for transforming their economic conditions and together with other Asian countries playing a key role not only in the global economy but also in the development of human civilization in the 21st century. For the first time in the last 350 years, the global economy is undergoing a shift in its center of gravity from the continents of Europe and North America to Asia. If present trends in GDP growth in China, U.S. and India respectively continue, then in the next two decades China will be the largest economy in the world, U.S. the second largest and India the third largest economy. However, if South Asian countries develop an integrated economy, then South Asia can become the second largest economy in the world after China. Given the geographic proximity and economic complementarities between South Asia on the one hand and China on the other, this region could become the greatest economic powerhouse in human history. Yet the world cannot be sustained by economic growth alone. Human life is threatened with the environmental crisis and conflicts arising from the culture of greed, from endemic poverty and the egotistic projection of military power. Societies in this region have a rich cultural tradition of experiencing unity through transcending the ego, of creative growth through human solidarity and a harmony with nature. In bringing these aspects of their culture to bear in facing contemporary challenges, the people of this region could bring a new consciousness and institutions to the global market mechanism. In so doing South Asia and China can together take the 21st century world on to a new trajectory of sustainable development and human security. It can be an Asian century that enriches human civilization. II. South Asia and the New Paradigm of Policy The policy paradigm underlying the last three centuries of economic growth within nation states and political relations

Dr. Akmal Hussain between states has been characterized by two propositions that are rooted in conventional social science theory: (a) Maximization of individual gains in terms of continuous increases in production and consumption, within a competitive framework ensures the maximization of social welfare at the national as well as global levels. (b) The economic and political interests of a nation state are best achieved by translating economic gains into military power. The assumption here is that a state can enhance national welfare by initiating, or being part of an initiative for projecting imperial power over other states. These propositions now need to be questioned because of the increased inter dependence of people and states on each other and on the ecology within which they function. Let us briefly critique each of these propositions to lay the basis of proposing an alternative paradigm of policy, as this region develops a leadership role in the world: (a) First, the idea that competition alone ensures an efficient outcome may not be necessarily true in all cases in view of the work by Nobel Prize winning economist John Nash, who proved mathematically that in some cases the

Dr. Akmal Hussain making his presentation. THE PRESIDIUM: Left to right, Kazi Zafarullah, MP from Bangladesh, Nilotpal Basu, MP from India, Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General, SAFMA, H. R. Mithrapala, MP from Sri Lanka and Nirmala Sharma, SAFMA Nepal Chapterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Secretary SECRETARIAT: Waqar Mustafa, N M Ameen, Ghazi Salhuddin, K K Katyal, Reazuddin Ahmed, Gopal Thapalya and Neerja Chaudhary

NEED TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH: Secretary General of SAFMA Imtiaz Alam making an intervention

South Asian Vision

The session in progress

LOGIC OF GEOGRAPHY COULD NOT BE UNDONE: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from India

Basu makes his presidential remarks as Kazi Zafarullah on his right and Imtiaz Alam and Maulana Fazlur Rahman look on

Free Movement of People

Vinod Sharma thanks the host, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao

ALL SMILES: Sherpao with the guests

Dinner by Muhammadmian Soomro, Chairman of the Senate Leader of the House Senator Waseem Sajjad represented the Chairman

Session-II Economic Cooperation in South Asia

ECONOMIC COOPERATION 48

Excerpts from Bhurban Declaration

Table 1: Intra-SAARC Trade Intra-SAARC World trade of trade SAARC countries@

(1) 1980 1985 1990 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

(2)

World trade of SAARC countries #

(3)

1254 38007 38352 1236 41083 41514 1639 65483 65605 3940 104159 107171 4878 110953 114098 4329 118617 120453 5232 118147 117886 4655 128547 125938 5286 141487 142390 5833 151068 140544 2002 6197 164799 152665 2003 8071 200849 182861 Source: @ Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS), Year Book # IFS data reported in DOTS, Year Book

Share of intra -SAARC trade in world trade of SAARC countries (1/2)*100

(1/3)*100

3.30 3.01 2.50 3.78 4.40 3.65 4.43 3.62 3.74 3.86 3.76 4.02

3.27 2.98 2.50 3.68 4.28 3.59 4.44 3.70 3.71 4.15 4.06 4.41

PRESIDIUM: Left to right: M. Ziauddin, SAFMA Pakistan President, Vijay Krishna, MP from India, Abu Hena, MP from Bangladesh, Imtiaz Alam, SAFMA Secretary General, Asadullah Bhutto, MMA MP from Pakistan, Rohana Dissanayake, MP from Sri Lanka and Purusottam Dahal, Member of Nepal Executive

Contemplating

TAKING NOTES OR BROODING: Delegates from India

Naveed Qamar, PPP MP from Pakistan

Hannan Mollah, Indian MP

Delegates form Bangladesh

(Presented by: KK Katyal)

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Excellency retired general C. S. Weerasooriya and Mr. K. K. Katyal who presented the SAFMA roadmap

Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling party Pakistan Muslim League delegates Shehzad Waseem, Minister of State for Interior, Senator Nisar Memon and Senator Waseem Sajjad

ENGROSSED: Indian delegates

Sri Lankan delegates, left to right: M. Ravi Raj, H. R. Mithrapala, M. H. M. Haleem, Rohana Dissanayake

PRESIDIUM: Left to right: Ramaswamy R. Iyer, Syed Shahid Hussain, Mitrasen Yadav, MP from India, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, MP from Sri Lanka, Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of SAFMA, Asadullah Bhutto, MP from Pakistan, Shah Muhammad Ruhul Qudus, MP from Bangladesh and Professor Mahendra P Lama

Session-III Water Issues and Energy Grid

Water and Inter-State Relations in South Asia

Ramaswamy R. Iyer

A mix of delegates from Pakistan, prominent among them being Senator Akram Zaki

Left to right: R. M. Reddy, MP from India, Shahzad Waseem, MP from Pakistan and Nikhil Kumar, MP from India

Water:

A Bigger Challenge

Syed Shahid Husain

Report: Session-III

Water issues and the Energy Grid Rapporteur: Muralidhar Reddy

Bangladesh parliamentarian, Sardar Shakhwat Hossain Bakul

Energy Cooperation in South Asia

Mahendra P Lama

Indian parliamentarians and experts

Maulana Ataur Rahman and others

All ears to the speaker