SSC-CGL (TIER-III) - India and SAARC
Category : SSC
India And Saarc
Key Points:
Introduction
Indian’s relationship
Way ahead
THE ESSAY BEGINS
Formed with an objective to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, SAARC has grown beyond the geopolitical and economic organization it was meant to be. Sharing resources to tackle common issues ranging from disaster to energy security, the grouping has more than justified its cause of existence.
Diplomatic and trade relations between the eight countries have grown to a new level with the visa exemption treaty and the free trade agreement, commonly known as SAFTA.
India's relationship with SAARC started as a founder member and has gone through stages of ups and downs, mostly colored by its relationship with Pakistan. Being the country holding 70% of the population and land area of SAARC, it has been like a big brother to the other nations in the grouping. This sheer size and economic strength of India has created fear in the minds of the other countries, leading them to search for a balancing power, which they find in China. The issue of China's promotion from observer nation has been always opposed by India.
The recent Indian strategy of SAARC minus Pakistan is also not going to make much progress, considering the geopolitical position of Pakistan, Rather, India should proceed with the Neighborhood first policy, in lines of Gujral doctrine.
Peace and not hostility is the base of India's soft power, and so India should resolve its bilateral issues through talks. Development is the keyword of the day, and political disillusions shouldn't hamper it, and India should lead the south Asia in this by example.
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