Founding Spirit Stressed
His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah
Dev, speaking at the banquet hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen in honour of the
heads of state and government of SAARC member countries, was full of confidence that the
11the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu would further deepen friendship, enhance mutual trust and
infuse harmony among the nations of South Asia. This signifies that much is pinned on the
11th SAARC Summit for charting the course for a greater mutual economic cooperation to
tackle the common problems of the South Asia nations like poverty. His Majesty wished
SAARC to be once again imbued with the founding spirit and work with added zeal and
urgency to uplift the dignity and pride of South Asia among the comity of nations. This is
especially true when it is considered that South Asia is home to over 20 per cent of the
global population, though it is yet to attain the status of a developed region. As the
region comprises of developing and least developed countries, the task to make it
prosperous as per the aspirations of the peoples of South Asia, is not very easy. There
are many constraints that have hampered the development process. This is the reason why
the concept of a regional body materialised into reality a little over fifteen years back.
The thrust of the regional block was to work unitedly to transform South Asian countries
at parity with the developed nations. SAARC has provided the forum for the people of the
South Asian countries "to voice their concerns and aspirations". On this matter
there is enough evidence based on the commitments made that SAARC is here to stay and work
for the socio-economic development of the people living in South Asia. The agenda in all
the earlier ten summits have been encouraging and the 11th SAARC Summit should also be
able to provide the impetus so necessary to address the multi-faceted problems of the
people in the region. The very fact that the heads of state and government of the member
countries were present for the summit after a gap of over three years is indication enough
that they are all serious about the vital role of the regional body not only to forge the
South Asian countries together through mutual economic cooperation but also to be able to
project the united voice at the international forum.
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