Regional summit in South Asia will focus on terrorism

Leaders from eight South Asian nations gathered for an annual summit Tuesday. The prime minister of India said that South Asian nations should work together to end terrorism, deal with energy and food shortages and cope with climate change.

Photo: Regional summit in South Asia will focus on terrorism

One-fifth of the world's people - and many of its most impoverished - live in the eight countries in the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation, a group that has often been seen as little more than a talk shop for regional leaders since its founding in 1985.

The group was set up to promote economic cooperation and has since sought to tackle a range of issues, from food security to terrorism. But progress in most areas has been slow, mainly because of the rivalry between India and Pakistan.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged in his opening speech that SAARC has made limited progress and asked member nations to "break from the past and join hands to bring about vibrant social and economic changes."

The group consists of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, which became a member Monday.

Terrorism is a major concern for many members.

For decades, India and Sri Lanka have been battling separatist groups that often launch terror attacks. Afghanistan says Taliban militants are orchestrating assaults from Pakistani territory, a charge Pakistan denies.

"We should implement our commitments and pledges to root out terrorism," Singh said.

Along with terrorism, the summit's agenda includes discussions of the establishment of a South Asian university and a regional food bank, and overcoming problems in implementing a regional free trade agreement that came into effect in July.

Singh said India was ready to open its markets to South Asian nations without insisting on reciprocity. "We will provide duty-free access to goods from poor countries among the South Asian nations," he said.

Member states also are considering India's proposal to streamline the visa process for each others' citizens. Singh said New Delhi would make it easier for teachers, students, journalists and medical patients from SAARC countries to get Indian visas.

Representatives from China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and European Union are attending the summit's opening and closing sessions and some meetings as observers.

SAARC foreign ministers also cleared the way for Iran's admission as an observer, and that proposal now awaits the approval of the leaders.