Let’s walk in step, Modi casts vision for SAARC nations

• Narendra Modi urged the nations to change cynicism to optimism
• Says member nations are not just ‘paas paas’ but also ‘saath saath’
• Calls for cooperation to combat terrorism

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday exhorted the eight neighbouring nations of the south Asian regional grouping SAARC to "walk in step" as he proposed a slew of measures, including ease for business travel, a level playing field in trade, and initiatives in healthcare and tourism.

Modi, in his maiden speech to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) here, urged the nations to work together to "change cynicism to optimism" and added that it is time that the member nations are not just "paas paas" (next to each other) but also "saath saath" (standing together).

Speaking mostly in English, the Prime Minister referred to terrorism, especially the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists unleashed mayhem in Mumbai in 2008. SAARC was founded in 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and it admitted Afghanistan in 2005.

“Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives. Let us work together to fulfill the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes," he said, without naming Pakistan.

Urging for seamless connectivity in the region, Modi said “for India, our vision for the region rests on five pillars -- trade, investment, assistance, cooperation in every area, and contacts between our people”. “There is a new awakening in South Asia; a new recognition of inter-linked destinies; and a new belief in shared opportunities,” he said.

He said there is a need to “shrink the distance between producers and consumers and use the most direct routes of trade”.He said that “infrastructure is our region’s greatest weakness and its most pressing need” and referred to his earlier proposal of travelling to Kathmandu by road, which had to be called off due to the condition of roads at the border.

Modi made a series of announcements for SAARC countries – from granting business visa for 3-5 years to immediate medical visa -- and assured all possible help to the grouping. He said India would provide immediate medical visa for patient and an attendant coming for treatment as well as business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC nations. The country would support surveillance of polio-free countries and provide vaccines where it might reappear.

Onus on Nawaz

Kathmandu: Addressing the first day of SAARC Summit here on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking mostly in English, referred to terrorism, especially the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists unleashed mayhem in India's commercial capital in 2008.

"Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives. Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes," he said, without naming Pakistan. "Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes," he exhorted the other leaders. Barely an hour later, his concerns proved warranted. The Pakistani delegation led by its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif blocked key proposals backed by India and other countries to integrate energy grids and free up road and rail movement, seen as crucial for improving cross-border trade, which remains minimal between SAARC countries.

It was decided that no agreements would be signed, ensuring the first SAARC summit in three years has turned out to be a whopping non-achiever. Three agreements had been prepared ahead of the summit, two on improving road and rail connections and one on making it easier for countries in the power-starved region to trade in electricity. None will proceed because of Pakistan's objections. Whether the SAARC Summit that wraps up on Thursday will prove a mega-flop depends now on Pakistan.

Bangla seeks free trade deal application

Kathmandu: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for implementing the free trade agreement (FTA) that the SAARC nations signed nearly a decade ago.

In her address to the 18th SAARC summit here, Hasina underlined the need to implement the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta), Xinhua reported. The accord was signed by the Saarc member states Jan 6, 2004, at the 12th Saarc Summit in Islamabad.

Safta required the developing countries in South Asia -- India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka -- to bring their duties down to 20 per cent in the first phase of a two-year period ending in 2007.

In the final five-year phase ending 2012, the 20 per cent duty was to be reduced to zero in a series of annual cuts. The least developed nations in South Asia -- Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Maldives -- have an additional three years to reduce tariffs to zero. The Safta agreement came into force Jan 1, 2006.