Journalism of Courage
The SAARC agreement on regional electricity connectivity was signed Thursday, after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agreed to come on board at the insistence of SAARC leaders, including PM Narendra Modi.
However, the other two agreements on motor vehicles and rail connectivity could not be inked since Pakistan said that their “internal processes” had not been completed.
“There were some difficulties yesterday…but the ability to overcome them in a graduated manner bodes well for the region,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. “The heads of governments showed flexibility in SAARC spirit. This is a tangible outcome which will benefit the people,” he added.
The electricity connectivity pact paves the way for greater energy cooperation among the countries. It is also aimed at improving power availability in the region. It would It would facilitate the creation and operation of a regional power grid, an Indian government statement issued last week had said.
Pakistan had been holding out on three pacts on on road, rail and electricity connectivity. The consent on the power pact came after a retreat of South Asian leaders at Dhulikhel, a South Asian diplomat said.
When asked that what changed since last night, officials said the heads of government have some “executive authority” which can help in getting out of the maze of internal domestic approvals. That may have been used by the Pakistani Prime Minister, officials said.
On Wednesday, SAARC leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were said to be disappointed over the impasse. However, they had agreed to take up the matter with Sharif at the retreat in Dhulikhel. Sources said that Nepal too was very keen that these agreements are signed, or else this summit could be perceived as unsuccessful.
Observers to be engaged on ‘specific projects’
SAARC’s eight Member States on Thursday decided to engage with Observer nations on “specific projects”. The 36-point Kathmandu declaration said the leaders “directed” the Programming Committee to engage SAARC Observers into “productive, demand-driven and objective project based cooperation in priority areas as identified by the Member States”.
