India backs new sub-regional economic bloc Sasec, excluding Pakistan

[Kailash Kumar]

India backs new sub-regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan

Surojit Gupta & Sidhartha

Sep 8, 2019

NEW DELHI:

India is backing the revival of a new regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan as New Delhi presses ahead to deepen ties and push regional integration under the South Asia sub-regional Economic Cooperation (Sasec).

Given the political hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and the frustration with the slow progress over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), policymakers have decided to forge ahead with the new bloc of fast growing south Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“India is also very keen about SASEC including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India. There will be a meeting of finance ministers for the first time next spring in New Delhi. Regional integration and cooperation is very important. Bangladesh is doing very well,” Takehiko Nakao, president of the Asian Development Bank, told TOI.

Nakao said finance ministers from the new sub-regional economic block will meet in New Delhi next spring to thrash out the strategy for the way ahead.

The foundation of Sasec was laid way back in 2001 when Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal agreed for deeper cooperation to accelerate economic growth in the sub region. Maldives and Sri Lanka joined the group in 2014 and in 2017, Myanmar was included.

In 2017, ministers from the SASEC group had met to discuss the way forward but since then progress has been limited but since then progress has been limited but now with India's insistence, the group is expected to chalk out a clear roadmap of sub regional integration.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...c-excluding-pakistan/articleshow/71030222.cms

 

[Crusher]

It will be pretty good for Pakistan. I strongly believe we Pakistanis are predominantly "incompatible" with the people to our east as far as our mindset is concerned, our mindset is more similar to the people to our west rather than east. So all in all a good development that SAARC is dissolved and Indian finds a new member "Myanmar" for their new regional block.

 

[Path-Finder]

old urine in a new bottle.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

@Simurgh

It will be pretty good for Pakistan. I strongly believe we Pakistanis are predominantly "incompatible" with the people to our east as far as our mindset is concerned, our mindset is more similar to the people to our west rather than east. So all in all a good development that SAARC is dissolved and Indian finds a new member "Myanmar" for their new regional trade block.

I agree with the incompatible part.

But to be honest, I do not see Pakistan to be compatible with neighbours to the west: Afghanistan and Iran.

Do you think that Pakistan should even be part of a regional economic / trade bloc?

Or do you think that Pakistan should fly solo with separate (free trade) agreements and projects with each country (such as with China and Turkey)?

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

It will be pretty good for Pakistan. I strongly believe we Pakistanis are predominantly "incompatible" with the people to our east as far as our mindset is concerned, our mindset is more similar to the people to our west rather than east. So all in all a good development that SAARC is dissolved and Indian finds a new member "Myanmar" for their new regional trade block.

Not just mindset but racially and culturally speaking, Pakistanis are different to indians, bengalis etc. If the truth be told, Pakistan is NOT REALLY a part of "South Asia" in the truest sense of the term.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

@PAKISTANFOREVER

Not just mindset but racially and culturally speaking, Pakistanis are different to indians, bengalis etc. If the truth be told, Pakistan is NOT REALLY a part of "South Asia" in the truest sense of the term.

I agree.

But where is Pakistan geographically part of: Central Asia, West Asia or another region?

And what is the next step when you look at (regional) trade?

Should Pakistan be part of a (regional) trade bloc or should Pakistan have separate (trade) agreements with each country?

 

[Trango Towers]

India backs new sub-regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan

Surojit Gupta & Sidhartha

Sep 8, 2019

NEW DELHI:

India is backing the revival of a new regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan as New Delhi presses ahead to deepen ties and push regional integration under the South Asia sub-regional Economic Cooperation (Sasec).

Given the political hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and the frustration with the slow progress over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), policymakers have decided to forge ahead with the new bloc of fast growing south Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“India is also very keen about SASEC including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India. There will be a meeting of finance ministers for the first time next spring in New Delhi. Regional integration and cooperation is very important. Bangladesh is doing very well,” Takehiko Nakao, president of the Asian Development Bank, told TOI.

Nakao said finance ministers from the new sub-regional economic block will meet in New Delhi next spring to thrash out the strategy for the way ahead.

The foundation of Sasec was laid way back in 2001 when Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal agreed for deeper cooperation to accelerate economic growth in the sub region. Maldives and Sri Lanka joined the group in 2014 and in 2017, Myanmar was included.

In 2017, ministers from the SASEC group had met to discuss the way forward but since then progress has been limited but since then progress has been limited but now with India's insistence, the group is expected to chalk out a clear roadmap of sub regional integration.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...c-excluding-pakistan/articleshow/71030222.cms

All economic powerhouses looool.

 

[SingHee]

Pakistanis are a Central Asian people, and for various reasons find themselves in the same situation as Turkey.

Good news, nevertheless.

Slowly but surely Pakistan needs to move away from the hypothetical construct termed South Asia.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

@PAKISTANFOREVER



I agree.

But where is Pakistan geographically part of: Central Asia, West Asia or another region?

And what is the next step when you look at (regional) trade?

Should Pakistan be part of a regional trade bloc or should Pakistan have separate (trade) agreements with each country?

None of them. Pakistan is at the fulcrum point of the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. This gives us a geo-strategic advantage hence the continuing success of CPEC. Truth is, Pakistan's future lies with and is somewhat intertwined with that of China and to some extent Turkey. As far as alliances and economics is concerned, these 2 nations are the most important to Pakistan. We should have comprehensive trade agreements with both China and Turkey. Not just in defence but in all fields.

 

[Qutb-ud-din Aybak]

Except Sri Lanka all other countries are already Indian colonies.

 

[SirHatesALot]

Pakistan should leave SAARC

 

[maximuswarrior]

India backs new sub-regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan

Surojit Gupta & Sidhartha

Sep 8, 2019

NEW DELHI:

India is backing the revival of a new regional economic bloc, excluding Pakistan as New Delhi presses ahead to deepen ties and push regional integration under the South Asia sub-regional Economic Cooperation (Sasec).

Given the political hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and the frustration with the slow progress over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), policymakers have decided to forge ahead with the new bloc of fast growing south Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“India is also very keen about SASEC including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India. There will be a meeting of finance ministers for the first time next spring in New Delhi. Regional integration and cooperation is very important. Bangladesh is doing very well,” Takehiko Nakao, president of the Asian Development Bank, told TOI.

Nakao said finance ministers from the new sub-regional economic block will meet in New Delhi next spring to thrash out the strategy for the way ahead.

The foundation of Sasec was laid way back in 2001 when Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal agreed for deeper cooperation to accelerate economic growth in the sub region. Maldives and Sri Lanka joined the group in 2014 and in 2017, Myanmar was included.

In 2017, ministers from the SASEC group had met to discuss the way forward but since then progress has been limited but since then progress has been limited but now with India's insistence, the group is expected to chalk out a clear roadmap of sub regional integration.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...c-excluding-pakistan/articleshow/71030222.cms

Excluding Pakistan? LOL who said Pakistan wanted to be in this club when it has Chinese investment. India cannot even scratch the surface of Chinese investment.

Pakistanis are a different set of people any way. We belong among Central Asian states. Not RSS sponsored Hindu states.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

@PAKISTANFOREVER

None of them. Pakistan is at the fulcrum point of the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. This gives us a geo-strategic advantage hence the continuing success of CPEC. Truth is, Pakistan's future lies with and is somewhat intertwined with that of China and to some extent Turkey. As far as alliances and economics is concerned, these 2 nations are the most important to Pakistan. We should have comprehensive trade agreements with both China and Turkey. Not just in defence but in all fields.

I understand.

I do have a couple of questions though.

China is a direct neighbour to Pakistan, which makes all types of agreements and projects possible.
Turkey however is not a direct neighbour, which would make agreements and projects (such as railways), which need a connection through land, not possible, without the help of at least Iran.

Pakistan already has a freight train service in place (Gül Train or ECO train) which runs from Islamabad - Tehran - Istanbul (see picture below). This train was supported by the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), an organization which was founded by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey and now consists of 10 members.
Another railway for passengers is planned (to be extended) which also will go to Turkey via Iran and to Afghanistan and Russia (https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/railways-to-be-extended-beyond-pakistan-1.62554859).

So, that brings me to my point.
I do not think that Pakistan can fly solo and have separate agreements with other countries.
I also do not think that China and Turkey will be enough to help Pakistan.
It is not wise to place all your eggs in just two baskets.
In this world you need to be part of an (geopolitical) alliance which is mostly regional based.

Look at the map of the members of ECO below. As you can see, ECO as a whole has a strategic location in Asia where it is connected to Europe, West Asia, Russia China and South Asia.
So, I do think that if Pakistan would revitalize ECO, which is kind of a Central Asian regional bloc, that this would 'amplify' Pakistan's geostrategic location and give Pakistan a stronger position in Asia.

However, in order for ECO to play a bigger role in Asia, all the members must be on good terms.
And that is where the problem lies.

These are the ten members of ECO:

1. Pakistan
2. Turkey
3. Iran
4. Afghanistan
5. Kazakhstan
6. Kyrgyzstan
7. Tajikistan
8. Turkmenistan
9. Uzbekistan
10. Azerbaijan

Pakistan is on good terms with the other members, except Afghanistan and Iran.
So, that would mean that Pakistan first needs to have better relations with Afghanistan and Iran.
If that would be possible, then ECO could become a strong regional bloc.
A bloc where Pakistan, Turkey and Iran could take the lead with support from other members and with support from China and Russia.

So, these are my questions:
1. Do you think it is wise for Pakistan to place all eggs in two baskets (China and Turkey)?
2. Do you think that ECO could be of use to Pakistan if it were to be 'revitalized'?
3. Should Pakistan take the lead in revitalizing ECO, especially since India wants to revitalize Sasec?
4. Do you think that Pakistan can have good cooperation with Turkey without good relations with Iran (especially regarding land based projects such as railways)?
5. Would you want Pakistan to pursue better relations with Afghanistan and Iran in order to make ECO a better and stronger organization?

 

[hussain0216]

Pakistan should leave SAARC

Our presence is to counter India

None of them. Pakistan is at the fulcrum point of the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. This gives us a geo-strategic advantage hence the continuing success of CPEC. Truth is, Pakistan's future lies with and is somewhat intertwined with that of China and to some extent Turkey. As far as alliances and economics is concerned, these 2 nations are the most important to Pakistan. We should have comprehensive trade agreements with both China and Turkey. Not just in defence but in all fields.

This is right, we are not really part of South Asia or central Asia we are this point in the middle

Apart from India we need to have independent economic relations with multiple states

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

@PAKISTANFOREVER



I understand.

I do have a couple of questions though.

China is a direct neighbour to Pakistan, which makes all types of agreements and projects possible.
Turkey however is not a direct neighbour, which would make agreements and projects (such as railways), which need a connection through land, not possible, without the help of at least Iran.

Pakistan already has a freight train service in place (Gül Train or ECO train) which runs from Islamabad - Tehran - Istanbul (see picture below). This train was supported by the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), an organization which was founded by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey and now consists of 10 members.
Another railway for passengers is planned (to be extended) which also will go to Turkey via Iran and to Afghanistan and Russia (https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/railways-to-be-extended-beyond-pakistan-1.62554859).

So, that brings me to my point.
I do not think that Pakistan can fly solo and have separate agreements with other countries.
I also do not think that China and Turkey will be enough to help Pakistan.
It is not wise to place all your eggs in just two baskets.
In this world you need to be part of an (geopolitical) alliance which is mostly regional based.

Look at the map of the members of ECO below. As you can see, ECO as a whole has a strategic location in Asia where it is connected to Europe, West Asia, Russia China and South Asia.
So, I do think that if Pakistan would revitalize ECO, which is kind of a Central Asian regional bloc, that this would 'amplify' Pakistan's geostrategic location and give Pakistan a stronger position in Asia.

However, in order for ECO to play a bigger role in Asia, all the members must be on good terms.
And that is where the problem lies.

These are the ten members of ECO:

1. Pakistan
2. Turkey
3. Iran
4. Afghanistan
5. Kazakhstan
6. Kyrgyzstan
7. Tajikistan
8. Turkmenistan
9. Uzbekistan
10. Azerbaijan

Pakistan is on good terms with the other members, except Afghanistan and Iran.
So, that would mean that Pakistan first needs to have better relations with Afghanistan and Iran.
If that would be possible, then ECO could become a strong regional bloc.
A bloc where Pakistan, Turkey and Iran could take the lead with support from other members and with support from China and Russia.

So, these are my questions:
1. Do you think it is wise for Pakistan to place all eggs in two baskets (China and Turkey)?
2. Do you think that ECO could be of use to Pakistan if it were to be 'revitalized'?
3. Should Pakistan take the lead in revitalizing ECO, especially since India wants to revitalize Sasec?
4. Do you think that Pakistan can have good cooperation with Turkey without good relations with Iran (especially regarding land based projects such as railways)?
5. Would you want Pakistan to pursue better relations with Afghanistan and Iran in order to make ECO a better and stronger organization?

Pakistan doesn't have good or bad relations with Iran. Despite the rhetoric, afghanistan relies too heavily on Pakistan for it's survival. Also, afghanistan is FAR TOO weak to pose a hindrance to Pakistsn in anything.