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Initiate collective efforts to tackle poverty, combat terrorism

South Asian experts tell seminar

Staff Correspondent
Expressing concern over growing inequalities between the rich and the poor and the price hike of foodstuffs at a seminar, the South Asian experts yesterday called for initiating collective efforts to tackle poverty and combat terrorism.
They said the Saarc countries, which share common history, natural potentials and hazards, should work together to face the consequences of climate change, increase governance status and raise health and education levels to go in line with the emerging world order.
The observations came at the seminar titled 'India and South Asia in a new emerging world order' organised by the Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies (CFAS) at a city'hotel.
"Removal of poverty and hunger is the most important task that South Asian nations need to do together." said Ambassador Rajendra M Abhyankar. former secretary to Indian External Affairs Ministry.
Stating that South Asia has become a region of attention of the global powers, he said the region has improved much in terms of economy, but still several hundred million people of the region are subjected to hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy.
In his keynote paper, Rajendra, who now serves as The Asia Foundation's Programme Development Adviser for India, said inequalities in the distribution of economic wealth both within the countries and in the region as a whole has been observed.
On the other hand soaring prices of essentials have made the economic scenario difficult, and the terrorist activities have affected the growth and peace in the region, hesaid.
"Regional cooperation can mitigate these affects. Mutual mistrusts among the nations should also be dispelled," he added.
As the largest country, India has a very’ important role to play in this regard, said Rajendra, adding, ''We'll always be on the side of
multilateral approaches... because the new world order that is emerging is not always very positive development.”
Taking part in the discussion, Bangladesh's former foreign secretary Syed Muazzem All said there is a clear need for cooperation among the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries in the wake of food and energy crises, and disaster management issues.
"If we approach international communities for taking up mega projects to mitigate the problems that affect the whole Saarc region, they will surely come forward to assist," he added.
"Collective bargaining is important today to have better benefits," Muazzem said, urging all to change the old mindsets of only bilateral relations.
The misconception that joint approach will bar bilateral negotiation has been proved wrong, he noted.
Putting emphasis on regional cooperation on food security, Muazzem said people are facing
huge pressure in the wake of spiraling food prices.
"There is price hike of essentials in the US also, but people there are not badly hit by it because of their better income. We therefore need to increase our income level," headded
Defence and Strategic Analyst Brig Gen (retd) Shahcdul Anam Khan said India and China are going to be the leading economic powers in near future, but India, being a South Asian nation, cannot go alone.
"If India wants to be a global power, it has to be accepted regionally first," he said, adding, "You can't forget those who are lagging behind you."
Shahedul said fingering points at neighbours for any terrorist attacks withqut having any evidence in hand also has negative impact on the neighbouring countries.
Ambassador Mohammad Zamir, journalists Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and Sadeque Khan were present at the seminar moderated by CFAS Chairman Ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman.