Yet, when we speak of SAARC, we usually hear two reactions - cynicism and scepticism. This, sadly, is in a region throbbing with the optimism of our youth.
Today, less than 5 percent of the region's global trade takes place between us. Even at this modest level, less than 10 percent of the region's internal trade takes place under SAARC Free Trade Area.
Indian companies are investing billions abroad, but less than 1 percent flows into our region.
It is still harder to travel within our region than to Bangkok or Singapore; and, more expensive to speak to each other.
How much have we done in SAARC to turn our natural wealth into shared prosperity; or, our borders into bridgeheads to a shared future?
Yet, South Asia is slowly coming together. India and Bangladesh have deepened their links through rail, road, power and transit. India and Nepal have started a new era of cooperation in energy; and, India and Bhutan are making those ties stronger by the day. With Sri Lanka, we have transformed trade through a Free Trade Agreement. We will soon launch a new arrangement to meet Maldives' need for oil. Distance and difficulties have not held back India and Afghanistan. And, bus and train sustain contacts between people in India and Pakistan We have given five South Asian partners duty free access to 99.7 percent of their goods and are prepared to do more with others.
