Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)

Reaching out to neighbours (TH Op)

 Context

As ASEAN celebrates 50, reflections on SAARC’s failed decades

 SAARC: A Failure

It has been unable to integrate the region through trade and connectivity and continues to be stuck in the quagmire of regional politics and rivalry and stagnates from historical distrust and old animosity

Study in contrasts

ASEAN

• Expansion of Mandate

In its first two decades, ASEAN focussed on a limited range of issues, but over time its mandate expanded and now includes climate change, disaster management, counterterrorism, drugs and human trafficking

• Dispute Resolution

The Philippines-Malaysia dispute over Sabah, was resolved peacefully by the founding members who found a peaceful mechanism to mitigate opposing claims

• Booming Trade

• ASEAN has grown rapidly and it has focussed on promoting rapid economic growth and modernisation
• It has created the Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), which ensures liberalisation and protection of cross-border investments operations, together with best practices for the treatment of foreign investors and investments.

• FATA

The Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA) has called on the ASEAN nations to waive entry requirements amongst the member states

• Rail link from Singapore to Kunming

A feasibility study has been conducted on the development of a rail link from Singapore to Kunming in southern China to enhance seamless connectivity among the ASEAN nations to boost intraregional trade and people-to-people connectivity

• Tourism Projects

Projects aimed at promoting the region as a tourist destination have also been undertaken.

SAARC

• Political squabbles, deep mistrust and military conflict between India and Pakistan have frustrated regional cooperation
• Lost Potential: Ind/Pak Hostility

India boycotted the 19th SAARC summit as a result of the Uri terrorist attack, with Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan following suit, eventually resulting in cancellation of the summit

• Stalled Trade

• Trade amongst the SAARC members stands at 3.5% of their total volume of trade
• Initiatives under the South Asian Free Trade Association have failed to make much headway
• Subregional initiatives like the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement also have stalled

• Partial Visa Exemption

SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme only allows certain categories of dignitaries to be exempt from visas, excluding ordinary citizens from accessing unimpeded travel in the region

• Difficult Travel

It is difficult for Indians to enter Pakistan and vice versa. Even citizens of other SAARC countries who have visited either India or Pakistan before and now wish to travel to the other face hassles during visa issuance by either country

• Infrastructural problems

SAARC infrastructural problems plague connectivity

Sub-regional short-cuts at the cost of jeopardising the regional vision for unity

India is trying to exert leadership by forming subregional initiatives BIMSTEC and isolate Pakistan

Such attempts have not been witnessed in ASEAN

• When ASEAN was criticised for taking in Myanmar in spite of its military rule, the grouping emphasised the importance of keeping open the channels of communication and engagement as a better means to influence the regime
• Bilateral bickering never got in the way of trade and travel

 ASEAN: ahead on Political & Economic fronts also

• On the political and economic continuum, ASEAN has behaved pragmatically and sensibly whereas South Asia has been bogged down by bilateral animosity and the bitter legacy of partition
• ASEAN members have avoided showing outward hostility against each other and have tried to resolve differences through dialogue, engagement and cooperation

Conclusion

Unless there is a serious and concerted effort by the political leadership of SAARC, led primarily by India and Pakistan, to revitalise the regional body, it will continue to be what it always has been: a utopian idea existing only in summit documents.