We have a range of documents avaliable from this Briefing:

The Briefing:
Opening Speech by H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi (pdf)

Remarks by other SAARC Ambassadors (pdf)

Q&A session transcript (pdf)

Briefing Photographs

Background Documents:
Islamabad Declaration (pdf)

SAFTA Declaration (pdf)

Social Charter (pdf)

SAARC Terrorism Protocol (pdf)

Outcomes and Implications of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad
Thursday 22nd  January, 2004, European Institute for Asian Studies

Guest Speaker:
H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union
On behalf of the Chair of the SAARC

With the presence of
H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the EU
H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the EU
H.E. Mr. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador of Nepal to the EU
H.E. Mr. C.R. Jayasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the EU

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Comments By SAARC Ambassadors:

H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the EU

Ambassador Singh began by praising the comments by main speaker, Ambassador Fatemi, for his comments on the SAARC summit in Islamabad.

He then went on to describe how there is “a great excitement’ in India over the outcome of the SAARC summit and its positive results that “took a lot of people by surprise”. Much of the “praise must go to the political leadership” for their leadership at the Summit. Also, added Ambassador Singh, much to the surprise of career bureaucrats who had seen “previous reports put into the dustbin” for lack of interest, there is a now a “groundswell of public opinion” in favour of moving forward via SAARC. Indeed, he detects a “hint of jealousy in the Subcontinent” of other regions of the world. South Asia is running to stay in the same place. Its people are wondering “Why not us? Why has South Asia not moved ahead?” For instance, added Ambassador Singh, at independence, “we were richer than Malaysia. Now they are far ahead.”

Ambassador Singh added that a second important aspect to the excitement felt at the SAARC summit outcome is that it is not confined to the intelligentsia (many of whom have always wanted to move forward on a regional basis). Now, public opinion has come around to this conclusion as well.

Although the bureaucrats have been slow to realise the shift in public opinion, stated Ambassador Singh, real progress was made at Islamabad. There is now “no disagreement that all issues must proceed in tandem. There are no linkages between issues”. India and Pakistan can move forward on a number of different issues.

In terms of its resources, added Ambassador Singh, South Asia is highly underdeveloped. It is a “pity that we are more or less starting so late…but better late than never”. Indeed, things are now moving forward very rapidly. “Even before ink is dry” on the SAARC summit documents, the Indian and Pakistani governments have been presented with additional agendas of where we should go; how we can move forward.

Ambassador Singh concluded by noting how even the “media is very excited” by the future prospects for advancement in South Asia. “Who would have thought five years ago” that the ruling [BJP] party today would go to the [forthcoming] elections using the prospect of achieving peace with Pakistan as a campaign issue? However, public opinion must continue to support the leadership to enable it to move ahead.

H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the EU

Ambassador Ali began by noting how the previous speakers had covered much of substance regarding the SAARC Summit in Islamabad.

Ambassador Ali described how his “father was born in British India, I was born in Pakistan and my son was born in Bangladesh”. This goes to show that South Asia is “basically, one people divided into seven countries”.

While there is tremendous potential in this region, added Ambassador Ali, historically, there has been “an inability to tap this potential”. While one-quarter of all the people in the world live in South Asia, “one-third of them live on less than US$1 a day. This sounds incredible but it is true”. This is not because South Asia does not have resources, added Ambassador Ali, but because we have misallocated them. However, now there is a “realisation that conflicts cannot be resolved by war”. Ambassador Ali praised the “extreme sense of maturity” shown by national leaders at the SAARC summit.

Ambassador Ali also spoke of “political, religious, and ideological terrorism”. We must “defang one type of terrorism so that all terrorism can be defeated”.

The many agreements reached at the SARRC summit were praised by Ambassador Ali. He pointed out that there have been very quick developments after the summit: India and Pakistan have agreed to increase the number of diplomats each allows, overflight clearances have been granted quickly and easily, and trains are now plying between the countries. Such measures are “indicative of sincere intentions”.

Ambassador Ali then went on to address the issue of energy. If we could integrate the energy supply and demand of South Asia—for example, hydro power in Nepal may be used by Bangladesh, while Bangladesh could export natural gas to its neighbours after ensuring its own requirements are met. The entire region could benefit. Similar cooperation over transportation—for example, enhanced access to sea ports by Nepal and Bhutan—was also feasible. The integration of energy and resources would really help alleviate poverty, argued Ambassador Ali. Happily, the SAARC summit showed that “the [political] will that was always necessary has arrived”.

Ambassador Ali concluded by stating that next year’s SARRC summit is to be held in Dhaka and “you are all invited!”

H.E. Mr. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador of Nepal to the EU

Ambassador Thapa agreed that, as his colleagues had already covered quite a lot of the issues thrown up by the SAARC summit, he would confine his formal remarks to re-iterating how decisions are taken at SAARC summits.
The SAARC constitution makes clear that bilateral issues are not to be discussed at its annual summit. Also, added Ambassador Thapa, note that decisions taken at summits are done so on the basis of unanimity.

However, stated Ambassador Thapa, at the Male summit in 1997, SAARC introduced the idea of enhancing political co-operation in the summit agenda with the key aim of promoting mutual trust and understanding, and fostering good neighbourly relations among members states, by introducing the idea of a "retreat". This normally takes place on the second day of the summit, and allows SAARC leaders to have a free and frank exchange of views on bilateral matters. It also allows leaders thrash out issues related to SAARC which have not been resolved by the Council of Ministers. Ambassador Thapa added that there is a feeling among intellectuals that it is worthwhile for the leaders to discuss bilateral matters utilising the opportunity offered by the summit.

There have been 18 years of SAARC, but only 12 summits. Indeed, the existence of SAAARC was being debated. But the success of the Islamabad summit shows its importance.

H.E. Mr. C.R. Jayasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the EU

Ambassador Jayasinghe began by stating that his “very capable colleagues” have already dealt with most of the issues raised by the SAARC summit in Islamabad.

Ambassador Jayasinghe spoke of the general concern in the region that South Asia is being left behind. The press of Sri Lanka has said that South Asia is at risk of being marginalised in the world. Historically, we have ignored this. Now, we look with admiration at what others, especially ASEAN, have achieved.

Ambassador Jayasinghe also stated how smaller counties are especially keen on regional advancement because it advances their interests. There is a tendency to wonder if larger countries are as committed to regional cooperation and advancement as smaller ones. After al, India deals with the EU as a troika, while Pakistan deals with the EU on a ministerial level.

Ambassador Jayasinghe also noted how China has been reaching out to other countries in Asia. India is following this model by reaching out to China, and Bangladesh.

The significance of SAARC advancement cannot be underestimated, argued Ambassador Jayasinghe. However, the items agreed upon at the SAARC summit—including free trade, combating terrorism, the importance of people-to-people contact—have long featured on the SAARC agenda, and have been debated at numerous previous summits. Ambassador Jayasinghe noted that that there is now a “synergy in the region”. This is necessary as, “unless the region gets its act together, it will continue to lose out”. Yet he is hopeful that that the actions of SAARC may now begin to match its rhetoric.

* Comments paraphrased by Dr Apurba Kundu

Next Page: Transcript of the Question and Answer session