By IANS,
New Delhi : Governments of South Asia may not have progressed much beyond the rhetoric and cliches of regional cooperation, but a new initiative at a non-governmental level could break fresh ground and change mindsets in the elusive quest of forging a common regional destiny.
Called The South Asia Initiative for Regional Cooperation and Connectivity, it hopes to build on the recent improvement in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, between India and Nepal, as well as with other countries of South Asia through interfacing of scholars, researchers and young professionals.
The genesis of this project lies in the cooperation pact signed in February 2010 between Jamia Millia Islamia’s Academy of International Studies and the University of Dhaka’s Department of International Relations. This new project is the fourth collaboration under this memorandum of understanding (MoU), which has been made possible through the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Regional Programme SAARC.
“The significance of this project is manifold. This emphasis on regional cooperation and connectivity in South Asia is an important avenue for consolidating the recent dynamism in bilateral relations that we have seen between India and Bangladesh, between India and Nepal, and with other countries of South Asia,” said Veena Sikri, a former Indian envoy to Bangladesh and one of the coordinators of the project.
“This consolidation is being done not just through a one-off conferences or workshops but through a sustained effort, stretching over one year and more. This long-term collaboration is important for achieving the unique objective that this project has set for itself, namely the interface it seeks to develop between senior academicians and policy-makers on the one hand, and the younger generation of researchers and professionals on the other.
“This innovative approach can contribute immensely to confidence-building, and the development of trust, friendship and understanding among the younger generation across South Asia,” she said.
The six modules identified for research under this project cover important issues of shared concern among all nations of South Asia. Several among these have defied the search for solutions at the bilateral level. Perhaps the new emphasis on regional and sub-regional approaches and solutions will bring in fresh perspectives and encourage out-of-the box thinking as a result of joint research, those associated with the project believe.
“This project combines these new perspectives with the effort to bridge the generational divide while bringing together academic and research communities across South Asia. Such efforts can certainly contribute positively towards the changed mindset that is often described as being of key importance in the search for solutions on vexatious issues across South Asia,” Sikri told IANS.
The planning workshop, held last weekend at the Jamia Millia Islamia, provided the opportunity for intensive two-day discussions of these ideas among the group leaders of the six identified modules.
The project plan includes organising cross-border dialogues among groups living in border areas, be they farmers or traders or students.
Participants in the planning workshop emphasised the importance of consulting these multiple stake-holders in every nation, particularly the younger generation among them. Young people are far less interested in violence or conflict. They prefer stability and economic prosperity, and favour solutions that will bring in such outcomes.
The neighbouring areas of many South Asian countries, such as the northeast of India and eastern regions of Bangladesh, the south of Nepal and the north of Bihar, are considered to be border areas, at the periphery of the nation concerned.
The project coordinators for this project are Veena Sikri, Ford Foundation endowed chair, Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Delwar Hossain, chair, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.
The planning workshop was addressed by eminent leaders and academicians, including Ramesh Nath Pandey, former Nepalese foreign minister, Muchkund Dubey, former Indian foreign secretary, and Mahendra Lama, vice chancellor of University of Sikkim. The group leaders include senior academicians, think-tank members and media representatives from across South Asia.