Press release

Delhi echoes to demands for a South Asian Parliament

New Delhi, 27 March 2007: Policymakers, academics and activists from across South Asia urge countries to go beyond nationalism to create a regional union. 

At the opening of a two-day forum ‘Imagine a New South Asia’ former Indian Prime Minister, Dr. I.K. Gujral spoke of the need to reposition South Asia as a single community in the changing global context. 

“The formidable challenge is to take along the entire region, listen to voices from all facets of South Asia fulfill the aspirations of all classes, include the most marginalized citizens and accommodate the entire spectrum of political ideologies,” he said.

John Samuel, ActionAid’s International Director for the Asia region, said that there is a new generation of South Asians who refuses to be “victims of the past”. 

“They want to build on a future based on trust, solidarity, peace and stability and look forward to become citizens of a South Asian union free from the baggage of the past”, he said. 

“The first step toward that direction is to create a functional South Asian Parliament.”

‘Imagine a New South Asia’ is conceived as a broad-based citizens’ initiative to advance a shared sense of South Asian vision.

It aims to promote convergence on key regional issues and increase regional cooperation both at the government and citizen levels.

“Most South Asian countries are experiencing positive changes in their economies, but these changes need to be more equitable in terms of gender and poverty”, said Professor Arjun Sengupta, MP and chairman of Indian National Commission for Unorganised Sector. 

Mr Syed Naveed Qamar, member of National Assembly and former federal minister of Pakistan, told the delegates that they were there to dream, but reminded them to dream with their eyes open.

“We need a well-functioning South Asian Parliament”, he urged.

“Establishing smooth democracies in the region is most crucial for better conflict resolution in South Asia”, stressed Sarita Giri, Nepali social and political activist.

The forum continues until Friday 29 March when a set of demands will be handed over to South Asian heads of state in advance of the SAARC Summit. 

ENDS

Notes to the Editors

“Imagine a New South Asia” is jointly organised by the Centre for Development and Human Rights and Institute for Human Development in partnership with ActionAid International. Regional organisations including the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, Sustainable Development of Pakistan, Indian Social Institute and the NGO Federation of Nepal were associative partners at the forum. 

On 29 March, the organisers will meet the media for a press briefing on final demands of the two-day policy forum.

For details contact:
Rashed Titumir, Asia Policy Head, ActionAid International
India mobile: +91 997 121 1016