July 31, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1429

COLOMBO: The 15th Saarc summit, which will open in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Aug 2, is unlikely to focus on bread-and-butter issues because of a trust deficit between Pakistan and India.

The tone of the summit has already been set in New Delhi, where foreign secretaries of the two countries conducted the so-called composite dialogue under “stress” just a few days before the summit in a country which has been embroiled in a civil war for long and where, according to Sri Lankan journalist Ayesha Wijeratne, 35,000 illegal firearms are in circulation.

Hence terrorism, and not poverty alleviation and human development, would top the agenda.

While Indo-Pakistan relations have fallen to a new low as New Delhi accused Pakistan of complicity in the bomb attack on its embassy in Kabul, Sri Lankan authorities have reportedly mobilised a massive security net of around 5,000 soldiers for the summit.

According to reports, the Indians have also mobilised a massive security entourage, including highly skilled Black Cats. India is reportedly also deploying three warships and two guided-missile destroyers and several helicopters to protect Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The meetings on the sideline of the summit would thus assume greater significance as both India and Afghanistan would like to isolate Pakistan and bring it under greater pressure on terrorism.

After surviving a no-trust move over the nuclear deal with the US, India is pushing the Afghans to adopt a hawkish stand during the summit vis-à-vis Pakistan.

This would pave the way for a greater Indian role in Afghanistan and enhancement in its build-up in Kashmir. At the same time it would help New Delhi divert attention from the growing disillusionment of the left and the marginalised.

India has not only picked on Pakistan, but has also adopted a hard line towards Bangladesh over transit trade. There were reports that New Delhi had put Dhaka on notice for conceding its demand for allowing overland transit facilities.But Dhaka has so far refused to allow Delhi land transit facility, saying it is not in its “national interest”.

A Bangladeshi journalist was surprised at India’s stance towards a LDC, a few weeks before the Saarc summit. Officials in the Sri Lankan capital want South Asian leaders to address the energy problem. It is expected that the summit would be contemplating ways to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and hydro carbons as well as exploring alternative methods of energy like solar power.

There is a need to build a South Asian identity based on diversity and a common history. The meeting should also consider the idea of a no-war pact and declare the region nuclear-free.

VISA-FREE SOUTH ASIA: Free movement of people in the region or, in other words, a visa-free South Asia should be their main concern. Another area that demands urgent attention is the draconian security apparatus that gives a free hand to authorities to commit atrocities against their own peoples.

It is time to ensure rights to all workers, especially women, in accordance with the International Labour Organisation Convention, United Nations covenants and national constitutions.

Among other issues that should be discussed are enhanced cooperation among member states in combating terrorism, climate change and poverty alleviation.

Creation of alternative regional trade and economic cooperation framework that meet the needs and aspirations of small producers and labour is also a need of the hour. This will ensure the defeat of neo-liberal instruments such as the World Trade Organisation and regional free trade agreements.

Unless countries in the region have more trade among themselves, on the pattern of European countries, they cannot confront the negative fallout of globalization and neo-colonialism.

The 15th Saarc summit is being held at a time when the world is threatened by a long period of recession and denial of political, economic and other rights to the poor. It is also being held at a time when governments of the region are increasingly invoking draconian security laws.

It is time to revoke such laws if the region has to survive and

make progress. It is time to evolve no war pacts not only between countries but also between different communities within a state.

The Saarc leaders will fail if they do not take decisions for improving rail, road and sea links. It is time they ensured food sovereignty by building alliances of peasants and agricultural labour. This would involve the creation of seed and grain banks, promotion of participatory research and sustainable technologies and the rejection of monopolistic and environmentally destructive technologies.