Three agreements pertaining to rail and road connectivity, and a framework for energy cooperation were to be signed at the 18th SAARC summit. However, only the energy deal was concluded because Pakistan took the position that its internal examination of the processes was incomplete and stalled the other agreements. High hopes were pinned on Narendra Modi to build on his inspired invitation to SAARC leaders for his swearing-in. But, even the more realistic expectations for connectivity were belied by perennial India-Pakistan dissonances and the joint Pakistan and Nepali push for observer China to become a SAARC member, knowing India’s reservations precluded any positive outcome.
Can SAARC succeed despite itself?
Neelam Deo, Deirector, Gateway House, has written an article on the 18th SAARC Summit, which took place in Nepal, Kathmandu, where she analyses the outcomes as well as the shortcomings of the Summit. This article has been republished by the Economic Times.