We welcome approval by Saarc member states of regional agreements on railways and motor vehicles to improve connectivity in the region.
The agreements implement the recommendations put forward by the Saarc Regional Multimodal Transport Study and boost hopes to develop new transport corridors and regional links.
Overcoming technical hurdles, which limit the flow of trains and motor vehicles across borders, is essential to move forward in developing connectivity. These new agreements address important practical issues such as including high standards and harmonisation of requirements to ensure only properly insured and licensed drivers and vehicles can cross the region’s borders.
The planned proposal to run a demonstration container train from Bangladesh to Afghanistan through India, Nepal, and Pakistan will provide a good illustration of the potential benefits of improving transport links.
For all its political and financial problems, it is the free and convenient movement of goods and people which gives life to the European Union’s success in bringing stability and boosting trade across its region.
There is no reason in principle why South Asia should not be able to emulate the EU’s success in integrating national economies and building co-operation for a more peaceful and prosperous region. Lowering barriers to transport movements is a vital step forward in this endeavour.