Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Pulling out of the SAARC summit - right move by India' that was published in Newsband

Pulling out of the SAARC summit - right move by India

India has decided to pull out of the SAARC summit in Islamabad this November, with Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh deciding to follow suit,

India has pursued a “SAARC minus Pakistan” plan to push through with agreements it is keen on.

Islamabad dropped any plans to send a representative to India to formally extend an invitation to the summit, as is the custom. Home Minister Rajnath Singh was given a mixed welcome by his Pakistani hosts during the Home Ministers’ meeting in Islamabad in August, prompting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to cancel his visit for the subsequent SAARC Finance Ministers’ meeting.

Given the prevailing environment of deep mistrust and tension, it is unlikely that the summit will be rescheduled to take place in the near future. This is the best way to put Pakistan into isolation stage. This is the first strong step taken by an Indian government by boycotting SAARC summit since it will increase pressure on Pakistan externally and internally. India should also be happy with decision to support us by some of our neighbouring countries.
They showed their love for India and sought action against terrorism.

SAARC minus Pak is not an end in itself but it is the need of the hour. At least the remaining economies which want to progress must get connected very closely.

India pulling out of the SAARC summit plus Afghanistan,Bangladesh and Bhutan also pulling out of the summit makes it quite clear that Pakistan is no longer a trouble that affects India only. The strategy now should be from sub-SAARC group including nations with economic growth as their motive and who are willing to work together on trade and connectivity projects. Isolating Pakistan might not show results in the short run but if kept out long enough, it might be forced to reconsider its status as a terror nation. With the petition to the White House to declare Pakistan a terror sponsoring nation already gaining huge support, such a step will further enhance pressure on it.

India should also rethink the-Most Favoured Nation-status it has accorded to Pakistan as Pakistan has failed to reciprocate on the same. Revoking IWT (Indus Treaty) and nullifying any trade and commerce with Pakistan is also a much needed step.

India has to show its anger and protest by some means as the attack on Indian army if left without a proper repulse would result in demoralizing army men. Present government finds SAARC meet a good opportunity to slight Pakistan and did well in enlisting the support of three more countries. Had it been successful in enlisting Maldives and Sri Lanka it would have been stupendous success. India should however make efforts to convene the summit at the earliest in India and ensure participation of all other members since Pakistan will definitely boycott. Instead of winding up SAARC, it should survive minus Pakistan. Then only the attempt to isolate Pakistan will succeed.

Advocating unguarded cooperation with hypocritical neighbours will in all probability lead to self-inflicted misery. India's boycott of the SAARC summit is the best diplomatic tool to nudge our neighbour to do some serious soul searching. It is in the best interests of our country.