THE prime minister chose the occasion of the 14th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation heads of government in Henan, China, to reiterate his government’s commitment to greater regional ties with its neighbourhood to the north.

The remarks focused on identifying common values and regional cooperation to reap economic benefits, as well as to strengthen each country’s commitment to the fight against the forces of disorder and conflict that are a “threat to state sovereignty and territorial integrity” everywhere.

The remarks are welcome, as well as the larger vision that they derive from. Greater cooperation among neighbouring states on infrastructure and energy, as well as connectivity and broader developmental goals, can go a long way to strengthen their own capacities to withstand challenges to their sovereignty and deliver on promises to their citizenry.

Pakistan’s support for the ‘one belt, one road’ initiative being advanced by China is well known, and its potential to boost the framework for growth in the country is equally well understood.

But it will take more than resolve to realise the vision and take it beyond just a statement of intent. First order of business ought to be ensuring a consensus within Pakistan, and not repeating the mistakes of the past, when foreign assistance in critical infrastructure projects ran aground on the myriad dissensions that are the hallmark of our democracy.

This is a fragile task, and it will take skilful politics to navigate. Second order of business must be to ensure that Pakistan’s own interests have been properly safeguarded when negotiating the terms of the country’s integration into a regional matrix.

We have a history of making such decisions in an emotional manner, and that mistake ought to be avoided. Third, and equally importantly, polite suggestions to consider broadening the participation in this regional matrix to neighbours east and west ought to be entertained with seriousness, and again without emotion.

Regional connectivity and cooperation yields its benefits with growing generosity with a larger number of partners, and Pakistan’s location holds far greater promise than can be envisioned through a geopolitical lens.

Realising the vision contained in the prime minister’s remarks is a tougher challenge than many realise.

Yet it is quite possibly the single greatest guarantor of our future growth and prosperity. It is important to not let it devolve to the lowest common denominator, where Pakistan becomes little more than a road for other people’s commerce.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2015