Lyonchhen calls for political will for stronger South Asia
Addressing the opening of the 17th Saarc summit in the Maldives yesterday, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley underlined the failure of the South Asian countries to reconcile with geographical and historical realities.
Lyonchhen said the Saarc countries have allowed themselves “to be guided by counsel and politics of the kind that dwell in the past while being fearful of the future”. “Good intentions are thus foiled or remain simply in documents,” he said. “In effect, it is the lack of political will which holds us back.”
Lack of political will, Lyonchhen said, is stalling South Asia’s progress. He said, “It makes us guilty of depriving South Asia from the opportunity to flourish as a peaceful region and for its people to be free from the misery of poverty and fear of insecurity that millions continue to endure.”
Citing Bhutan’s example, Lyonchhen said that early in Bhutan’s journey of development and modernization, it chose to accept and appreciate its geo-political realities and, adopting with sincerity, a positive stance, it explored instead, the pluses. This optimism led to a perception of the limitless opportunities that had been obscured by the veil of doubts and suspicion.
“If today, my country is beginning to succeed in vastly improving the well-being of our people, without compromising any national interest, it is because of the conscious choice we made. It is because of the trust and the mutually beneficial cooperation we have succeeded in establishing with our closest neighbour, India,” he said.
Lyonchhen urged the leaders of South Asia to be bolder in action and thought than those skeptics who have discouraged them from pursuing the Saarc process and from trusting and mutually benefiting from the cooperation.
He said today’s Saarc has leaders who want to break free from the bondage of doubt and doubters, build trust and forge ahead to access vast potentials. “I am convinced that, together, we can overcome what have stood in our way to make South Asia harmonious and prosperous,” he said, adding that together, the countries can lead the world.
Lyonchhen also urged all Saarc citizens, the media, civil society and other opinion leaders to further inspire and support the leaders in their endeavours. “Let us create an environment for our collective and harmonious progress. Let us build bridges,” Lyonchhen said.
Lyonchhen also spoke on Bhutan’s development philosophy of GNH. (For full address visit www.bhutanobserver.bt)
At the inaugural session, the heads of seven countries expressed their deep appreciation to Lyonchhen for his chairmanship in the past one year in strengthening Saarc. Lyonchhen passed on the chairmanship to the president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.
The 17th Saarc summit in the island of Addu Atoll is expected to sign four accords in addition to the Saarc Democracy Charter. Saarc member states will also vote on admitting Turkey as an observer nation.
Cooperation in climate change, poverty alleviation, regional transport connectivity through rail, road and air, coping with food and energy crises, regional disaster management, and rapid response within the region and trade facilitation are some of the key issues that the summit is expected to discuss.
Source: bhutanobserver.bt