ComplexSecurity

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?

While as a grouping, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has failed miserably, largely due to the obstructions of its two biggest members-India and Pakistan- bilateral agreements are breaking new ground almost daily. Some encouraging initiatives are listed below.

Sub-Regional Cooperation Framework. The logic of geo-location is unrelenting to have a stable, peaceful neighbourhood to reduce political, economic and military burdens. Thus, India intends to build political consensus on regional security and resurrect her credibility and image in the region as a Net Security Provider. India’s ability to alter the geopolitical landscape of South Asia could be leveraged for the benefit of the neighbourhood.

Connectivity. India’s neighbouring countries, either landlocked or Island nations, need multiple connectivity options to facilitate smooth economic integration, trade, investments, logistics movement and exploit tourism potential in the sub-region. The impetus to projects such as BBIN, Trilateral highway, Kaladan multi-modal project, trans-border rail links, ports construction and air connectivity will tremendously boost the region’s prosperity.

Economic Integration. India’s vast domain expertise in banking, insurance, telecom, digitised services, and joint ventures /start-ups will help neighbours enhance bilateral trade and sustained economic growth. Increased Indian FDI in the neighbourhood can assist its neighbours to enhance their export base and bring about a commonality of goods and services. Optimising trade through MFN status, SAFTA, and CEPA will reduce the non-tariff barriers and open opportunities and do away with huge trade imbalances in the long term.

Regional Diplomacy. The Gujral Doctrine assuring unilateral concessions to neighbours without seeking reciprocity, could be the guiding neighbourhood policy of India. Indian diplomacy, if non-intrusive, could inspire confidence in its neighbours. This could be achieved by focusing on bilateral priorities, concerns and aspirations, creating a balance in the power differentials. The diplomatic engagements between SAARC members must be revisited and made innovative if they have to sustain.

Cultural Exchanges. The entire region is blessed with a plural culture that, in many cases, transcends national boundaries. These strong historical linkages offer opportunities for enhanced people-to-people contact and exchange of ideas. Tourists from South Asia throng the SE Asian and European tourist spots in massive numbers, whereas intra-region tourism is dismal. The cheap mode of transport available (road, rail, riverine) can ensure that even a common man can travel to a neighbouring country. In fact, religious tourism has immense potential. The tourism sector generates employment, inspires local artisans, and supports the services and transport sector by opening a gateway.

The pool of language experts from neighbouring countries will facilitate better people-to-people contact, education, and trade and create long friendship bridges.

Military Diplomacy. India should strengthen strategic military relations with neighbours as a net security provider of the sub-region capable of tackling growing security threats. Indian engagements with neighbours in the military domain should focus on helping their capacity building, joint training including anti-terror training, sharing technology in guarding their land borders and coasts, joint border patrolling, supply of military weapons, equipment, ammunition, sharing intelligence on drug trafficking, piracy, smuggling to increase interoperability in the region. The Indian expertise in Disaster management will be of great help to neighbours.

Energy Cooperation. The initiative taken recently by allowing Indian Public Sector as well as private participation in energy export to Bangladesh can be replicated, including the Indian power grid utilised by others. The ever-increasing energy needs of neighbours for manufacturing industries necessitate sharing of resources for mutual benefit and economic prosperity.

Capacity Building. Indian development assistance to neighbours for capacity building, including community development projects, skilling the youth/women to get jobs and providing basic civic amenities in border areas will be highly rewarding.

The necessity of provisioning of higher education institutes viz; IITs, IIMs, and initial faculty staff to establish and stabilise the facilities is a dire need. In the health sector, too Indian government and private corporates establishing speciality medical facilities akin to AIIMS in at least each national capital will reduce medico tourism of neighbours. The language training of employable youth will provide abundant opportunities to seek jobs.

Assessment

India should focus on convergence and defer contentious issues for now with the neighbours and strive to meet demand-driven, people- friendly and mutually beneficial aspirations.

One way forward for India is to bridge the trust deficit with political hierarchy without being seen as the dominant power, investing in long-term enduring relationships.

However, in the ultimate analysis, India cannot go the full distance alone. Its neighbours have to come forward and pitch in with a strong political will to benefit the teeming millions of the sub-region.