SAARC experience like ‘glass half empty’

Addressing the 16th SAARC Summit here,he said the member countries should “challenge ourselves by acknowledging that the glass of regional cooperation,regional development and regional integration is half empty.”

Singh said that by rising to this challenge,”we will not only help ourselves but also become a net contributor to global economic prosperity.”

“In looking back at these two and a half decades we can claim the glass is half full,and compliment ourselves,or,we can admit the glass is half empty and challenge ourselves,” the Prime Minister said.

He said over the last 25 years South Asian sub-

continent has been witness to much progress. “Yet,each one of our countries,and our region as a whole,has a long way to go in fulfilling the aspirations of our people,” he said at the summit attended by leaders of other seven member countries.

He also pressed for regional cooperation and said it should enable freer movement of people,of goods,of services and of ideas.

“It should help us re-discover our shared heritage and build our common future,” Singh said.

“We must ask ourselves what kind of South Asia we wish to create for our present and future generations? At this anniversary Summit we should renew our compact to build a region that is better connected,better empowered,better fed and better educated,” he said.