- बिहीबार, २६ असार, २०८२
Kathmandu, Nov 8: Former prime minister and finance minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said time has come for the SAARC countries to rise above individual interests and focus on economic connectivity to make the SAARC successful.
Talking to the National News Agency (RSS) in light of the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, former prime minister Dr Bhattarai said, “Narrow thoughts can not propel the region ahead but the focus on entire human welfare.”
According to him, the south Asia has tremendous potential on economic and social developments, so the member countries should best utilize the SAARC Summit. A work plan with identification of the tools to development can be made.
He further said political disputes should not shadow the economic prosperity.
The former prime minister Dr Bhattarai who had attended the 17th SAARC Summit in Maldives as the head of Nepal government, said a farsightedness and will power among the SAARC countries are essential to unlock the potential of development in the region ranging from the highest altitude of the world to the sea. The thriving science and technology which is triggering globalization has further encouraged the development of regional organizations, he added.
“Lack of harmonious relations between big member countries- India and Pakistan- have somehow slowed the progress in SAARC. Although the SAARC principle does not entertain bilateral issues, the disharmonious relations between the two big countries affect the development. Though the reality is bitter, unless the relations between India and Pakistan are not improved, only efforts from the small countries can not ensure SAARC achieve its goals.”
Other areas the SAARC should whet as Dr Bhattarai argues are communications, transportation, and economic prosperity which could benefit Nepal well.
Tourism was important area the SAARC could stress to unlock the potential of economic development in the region. Once Nepal harnesses the water resources fully and expand transmission lines, it could sell electricity to Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh as well.
Likewise, it is natural, he says, that the emerging economy China and the US do show interest in the SAARC region as it is home to the huge human and natural resources.
In Nepal’s case, much dependence on single country for trade should be ended.
Dr Bhattarai also underscored the need of full implementation of the SAFTA concept so that the member countries could benefit more on trade and investment.
