SAARC Has To Move Away From Largely Declarative Mode

New Delhi, Feb 17, IRNA - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has to go ahead with ˈgustoˈ and move away from a largely declarative mode, former UN Population Fund representative for Sri Lanka and Yemen, Dr Som P Pudasaini said Saturday. ˈSAARC will have to move forward toward implementing its policies, programs and declarations with gusto and move away from a largely declarative mode it has been stuck to for too long,ˈ he said. Speaking at an international conference on ˈGreater Connectivity and Regional Integration in South Asiaˈ in Puducherry, Union Territory of South India, he said that since its establishment in 1985, SAARC has progressed in a number of areas through declarations, commitments and other deliberations, pti reported. A lot remained to be done to ensure greater prosperity, connectivity and regional integration, he said. ˈOnly greater commitment and better vision, more concerted effort will enable us to meet challenges and help attain the set goals of SAARC and its objectives,ˈ Pudasaini, who is also the chairman of Kings College in Nepal, said. ˈConflict management has been draining regional energy and limiting it far short of its potential and aspirations,ˈ he said. As India is the largest and most powerful SAARC member with a common border with seven out of eight member states, its role in conflict management, enhancing connectivity and promoting regional integration was significant, he said. ˈIndia-Pakistan tensions have been the biggest bottleneck for promotion of South Asian prosperity, regionalism and connectivity,ˈ Pudasaini said. He said powerful nations like China and Japan have increased their presence in the region and obtained observer status of SAARC in view of the economic and strategic importance and potential of South Asia./end