REDEFINING SOUTH ASIA

29 April 2013 06:30 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Salma Yusuf in conversation with Ambassador Nihal Rodrigo, formerly Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); Honorary Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Foreign Affairs; Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United Nations and China.

Q:How would you define ‘The Asian Century’?
I have thought it appropriate to describe the global changes anticipated as not exclusively tied to the rise of only “Chindia” and its future dominance. I have preferred to describe the process as The New World Symphony, with apologies to Dvorak, the composer. Overall harmony, in political and other aspects, rather than confrontational cacophony, is what is currently required. India and China may be cast as joint composers or conductors playing, in harmony, with all other players, including any soloists playing their own theme without however affecting overall harmony. Emerging and established powers must ensure that they serve as group conductors, and emerging voices from the global south including those in the Asian region must be taken on board. Currently, there exist a few discordant notes which need to be addressed to ensure symphonic harmony!

Q:Do you see ‘The Asian Century’ as established, emergent or still to be deciphered?
I would say with conviction that an Asian Century is not yet established though it is well beyond its embryonic stage. The notion is burgeoning, as it were, at an exponential rate, and hence safe to conclude that a new age in global realities is emerging.

That said; given factors beyond the economic such as political and social contingencies make it uncertain whether the current global trend will eventually lead to a collapse of Western dominance and influence in international affairs. It is very clear that the West is ever vigilant and conscious of the emerging Asian giants, and this is somewhat indicative from the fact that India was the first country to be invited to Washington following the election of Barack Obama in 2008, and China was the first country that Barack Obama visited consequent to his arrival in office as the President of the United States of America in 2008.

It has been argued that significant challenges and risks need to be managed in order that The Asian Century is realised.

Despite the acknowledged exponential growth, particularly in economic terms, of countries in Asia, a related phenomenon has been the growing inequality within the countries itself, in which wealth and opportunities are seemingly confined to the upper echelons of society, thereby undermining notions of social justice, social cohesion and social stability. Analogous to the economic rise of Asian region, there have also been significant costs to the environment and certain aspects of governance.

Q: How may such aspects of governance be addressed in order to reap the dividends of economic growth in the long-term, given that affluent lifestyles and increasing national growth rates may mask underlying concerns only in the short-term? Alternatively, do you think such a scenario is to be considered inevitable or a cause for concern that ought to be addressed strategically?
It must be noted that the unequal growth within nations in Asia, and its adverse impacts on social security and harmony have been categorically acknowledged, particularly by leaders in South Asia. The most recent examples are from the seventeenth SAARC Summit held in Addu, the Maldives in November 2011. Nepali Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai at the Addu Summit said “the increasing gap between rich and poor has given way to enormous stress on social harmony…peace and security in the region. The challenge demands that poverty alleviation strategies be comprehensive and that socio-economic processes be more people-centred and justice-based.”

Economic disparities within states, including in SAARC have bred frustration and led to revolt and revolution particularly in remote rural areas. Poverty alleviation programmes are being promoted in SAARC with varying degrees of connectivity and success. Sri Lanka’s own early recourse to poverty alleviation strategies has been successful in the country, which is ahead of all SAARC countries in terms of the UN Human Development Index (HDI). On some aspects, China focuses on models of rural development following on Sri Lanka’s own “gam udawa” (rural awakening) programmes, and we have had exchanges of bilateral delegations for in situ study of related rural experiences. The Chinese programme is similarly called, “Back to the Countryside.”

Q: Mentioned above are the “traditional threats” to countries in the region. How and where would you place the emerging and “non-traditional security threats” of the 21st century?
In such a discussion, non – traditional security threats must not be overlooked. Major global hazards have emerged for SAARC countries from non-traditional security threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), affecting even the land-locked countries. The Indian Ocean is the most traversed Ocean in the world and provides East-West connectivity. It is also resource-rich in terms of fisheries as well as oil, gas, and valuable mineral deposits. Indo-Sri Lanka cooperation in oil and gas verification is proceeding. Bilateral issues exist as well with regard to fishing rights. Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan fishing communities have been victimised by Somali pirates.
Other non-traditional external security threats faced by SAARC, as well as other countries traversing the IOR, include people-smuggling, gun-running, drug-trafficking and some incidents of kidnappings for ransom. The underworld globalised criminal cartels responsible are also collaborating closely with residual rump LTTE groups in most of these deadly activities including piracy.

salmayusuf@gmail.com

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

REDEFINING SOUTH ASIA

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident