Modi's Three Pronged Strategy for South Asia Revealed at SAARC Summit

Modi’s stress on infrastructural connectivity and connectivity of all kinds, including people-to-people contacts, is distinct in his bilateral discussions with leaders of the host country Nepal. At least seven of the 16 concrete outcomes in Modi’s talks with Nepalese leadership pertain to connectivity and infrastructural development. Pashupathinath Express and $1bn Line of Credit to Nepal deserve a mention in this regard.

The new bus route is welcoming move made by Modi. It simplifies the procedure for movement of private and non-regular vehicles across the India-Nepal border. This agreement would facilitate seamless and hassle-free movement of people of both countries and would give a huge boost to tourism. What Modi has done with Nepal is modeled on a similar SAARC agreement. This is what Modi wants to replicate with all SAARC nations except Pakistan.

PM Modi highlighted what is a point that has been bothering SAARC the most: “Today, less than 5% of the region's global trade takes place between us. Even at this modest level, less than 10% of the region's internal trade takes place under SAARC Free Trade Area. Indian companies are investing billions abroad, but less than 1% flow into our region. It is still harder to travel within our region than to Bangkok or Singapore; and, more expensive to speak to each other. How much have we done in SAARC to turn our natural wealth into shared prosperity; or, our borders into bridgeheads to a shared future?”

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