India’s long-term security and economic stability largely depends on the prosperity of its neighbours (“ >A case for SAARC reforms ,” Nov.25). It is also important for the relevant countries to work together to fight the scourge of extreme poverty, climate change, human trafficking, drugs, insurgency, terrorism, migration and diseases. These are shared problems and can have a domino effect. The solutions have to found locally. South Asia needs vision and leadership and, above all, an environment of trust.
Sutirtha Sahariah,
New Delhi
I agree with the writer’s views regarding the need to include bilateral issues as part of the general agenda which have time and again shown up as major irritants in well-orchestrated summits. We need to go back to the Gujral Doctrine which advocated vocal conciliation in the matter of settling disputes and non-reciprocity to strengthen ties with our neighbours. It is important that India sheds its Big Brother attitude and rise above petty differences to play a vital role in South Asia’s collective development.
Vishnu Gunneri,
New Delhi
SAARC has huge potential as far as the political, social and economic transformation of the South Asian region is concerned. Here the focus must be on completing and strengthening already declared projects and regional organisations like the SAARC Development Fund, a Regional Standards Organisation and a food bank. India’s move to have a SAARC satellite and a SAARC Corridor are ideas that need to materialise.
Ankit Garg,
Ghaziabad
