SAARC warmth, some Pak chill

In his debut speech at the 18th SAARC summit, exactly six months after he met SAARC leaders at his swearing-in ceremony, Modi also said that India will support monitoring and surveillance of polio-free countries and provide vaccines where the disease might reappear. This move would benefit countries such as Pakistan, where polio still exists.

“Hum paas paas hain par saath saath nahin. Saath hone se takat kai guna barh jaati hai (We are neighbours but we are not together… by staying together, our strength can increase manifold),” Modi said, choosing to break into Hindi while speaking from a prepared text in English at City Hall in Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, disappointed with Pakistan holding out on three agreements on rail, motor vehicles and power grid connectivity, SAARC leaders are expected to take up the matter with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday.

Modi and Sharif will also have a window of opportunity of about 12 hours on Thursday for a possible meeting, after a day of visible cold vibes at the SAARC summit.

On Wednesday, Modi said, “When we speak of SAARC, we usually hear two reactions — cynicism and scepticism. This, sadly, is in a region throbbing with the optimism of our youth. Let us work to change cynicism into optimism.”

“India, too, has its share of responsibility because of our size and location. I know India has to lead, and we will do our part. I hope each of you will, too,” the PM said.

He also said that India’s National Knowledge Network will be extended to the SAARC region, and that he would like the South Asian University to have partnerships with at least one university in each SAARC country.

With Sharif seated on the dais, Modi recalled the Mumbai terror attacks — Wednesday was the sixth anniversary of the attacks — but refrained from accusing any country.

“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.

“If we are sensitive to each other’s security, and the lives of our people, we will deepen friendships, spur cooperation and advance stability in our region,” he said, making his message clear to the South Asian neighbours.

With Sharif listening in, he carefully chose the example of trade between India and Pakistan through circuitous routes to drive home the advantage of the economic integration of the South Asian region.

“Today, goods travel from one Punjab to the other Punjab through Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai and Karachi — making the journey eleven times longer and the cost four times more… Just think of what we are doing to our consumers — and to our environment,” he said.

“We must shrink the distance between our producers and consumers and use the most direct routes of trade,” he said, adding that infrastructure was the region’s “greatest weakness” and its “most pressing need”.

“It is still harder to travel within our region than to Bangkok or Singapore and more expensive to speak to each other,” he told the hall, which was filled with delegations from South Asian countries as well as observer countries such as China, the US, Australia, Iran and the European Union.

During his 23-minute speech, Modi also proposed certain initiatives by the Indian government towards SAARC.

Sharif, meanwhile, called for a “dispute-free” South Asia. “My vision for our region is a dispute free South Asia where, instead of fighting each other, we jointly fight poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnourishment and unemployment,” he said.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa praised Modi’s idea of a SAARC satellite, which will help in communication and disaster management.

The leaders are expected to meet again on Thursday at Dhulikhel for a retreat and to unveil the Kathmandu declaration, which is expected to take into account the interventions from all leaders.