[🇧🇩] SAARC---Can it be revived?

[Saif]

Our message to India: Please don't normalize open defecation because we, the Bangladeshis, don't like it.

Do not 'normalise terrorism', India warns Bangladesh amid SAARC discussions

India has once again blamed Pakistan for the stagnation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, after Bangladesh called for reviving the regional bloc. In a strong stance against Islamabad, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also warned that Bangladesh should

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Do not 'normalise terrorism', India warns Bangladesh amid SAARC discussions
bdnews24.com
Published :
Feb 21, 2025 23:45
Updated :
Feb 21, 2025 23:45

India has once again blamed Pakistan for the stagnation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, after Bangladesh called for reviving the regional bloc.

In a strong stance against Islamabad, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also warned that Bangladesh should not “normalise terrorism”.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed on Friday that this discussion took place during Jaishankar’s meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain in Oman’s Muscat.

During a weekly briefing, Jaiswal said: “Yes, the matter was brought up by the Bangladesh side in an external affairs meeting when EAM met with Bangladesh's foreign advisor in Muscat.”

"Everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and what activities are responsible for stymieing SAARC,” he said.

EAM conveyed that it is important that Bangladesh should not normalise terrorism,” he added.

SAARC has remained largely inactive for over a decade due to strained India-Pakistan relations, with no summit taking place since 2014.

Following the political shift in Bangladesh in August 2024, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has been advocating for reviving the regional bloc.

At a meeting with South Asian cancer specialists on Dec 12, Yunus said: “SAARC is of great importance to me. Right after taking office as chief advisor, I spoke about reactivating SAARC.”

"SAARC is not functioning due to 'certain issues' between India and Pakistan. I believe these bilateral problems should not affect other nations.”

He added, “If South Asian leaders meet annually and stand together for a photo, it sends a message to the world that ‘we are united’.”

Foreign Advisor Touhid also highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to reviving SAARC in a recent article in the Indian Express.

He wrote, “SAARC has remained dysfunctional for over a decade. The interim government has made a sincere effort to make it functional again.”

"So far, we have not received a positive response from India. However, we do not believe India has anything to fear from this initiative.”

The former diplomat added, “We understand that full regional cooperation will take time. But a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

"As a first step, can our leaders at least take a photo together at a summit to demonstrate our long-term commitment?" he asked.

During the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on Sunday, Advisor Touhid met Jaishankar and emphasised holding a SAARC Standing Committee meeting.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry later said he urged India to consider the matter.

At Friday’s Indian foreign ministry briefing, another journalist asked whether statements by certain advisors in Bangladesh, some of which were “quite aggressive”, were affecting bilateral discussions.

In response, Jaiswal said: “Yes, we obviously have taken note of such remarks, which are, of course, not helpful. It is for the concerned individuals to reflect on implications for their particular domain.”​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh imports over five times its exports to Saarc nations

Bangladesh continues to grapple with a significant trade imbalance with Saarc countries as import payments far exceed exports, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank (BB) report.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh imports over five times its exports to Saarc nations

Bangladesh continues to grapple with a significant trade imbalance with Saarc countries as import payments far exceed exports, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank (BB) report.

The report, covering fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, shows Bangladesh's total import payments to Saarc nations stood at $9.76 billion while export earnings from the region reached only $1.74 billion.

Imports were more than five times the value of Bangladesh's exports to the eight-member bloc, underscoring the country's heavy reliance on goods from its South Asian neighbours -- particularly India, its largest trading partner in the region and second-largest import source after China.

Imports from Saarc accounted for 15.44 percent of Bangladesh's total imports of $63.22 billion in FY24, up slightly from a year earlier.

In the same year, exports to the region made up 4.47 percent of total shipments of around $39 billion, according to the BB report on Bangladesh's trade, remittances and foreign investment within Saarc, released Tuesday.

"The respective authority should take appropriate policy measures to reduce the amount of imported goods from Saarc countries by raising indigenous production of such goods to meet the demand of the people of Bangladesh," the BB said.

The report also said Bangladesh's overall imports declined in FY24 from the previous year, in line with a broader drop in total imports. Exports also fell, reflecting a downward trend in trade with regional partners.

Of the total imports from Saarc, Bangladesh sourced over 92 percent from India in FY24. Similarly, India accounted for 90 percent of Bangladesh's exports to the region, the report said.

After India, the top three destinations for Bangladeshi goods within Saarc were Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan was the second-largest source of imports within Saarc, with Bangladesh paying $627 million in FY24, or 6.34 percent of the total import payments to the region.

However, exports to Pakistan declined sharply, falling 25 percent year-on-year to $62 million in FY24 from $82.85 million a year earlier.

Exports to Pakistan made up 3.56 percent of the total shipments to Saarc.

Bangladesh mainly imported textiles and textile articles, chemical products, mineral products, vegetable products, beverages, spirits and vinegar, tobacco, machinery and mechanical appliances, base metals, and articles of base metals from Saarc nations.

Its key exports included garments, vegetable fats and oils such as rice bran oil, rawhides, leather, and plastic and rubber products.

"India stands out as the primary destination for Bangladesh's export receipts within the Saarc region, showing substantial growth over the years."

The report said exports to Saarc nations displayed mixed trends -- some countries showed consistent growth while others fluctuated, "possibly influenced by economic factors, trade agreements, or specific industries".

Export receipts from Pakistan varied over the years, peaking at $105.80 million in FY22.

Sri Lanka was the third-largest destination for Bangladeshi exports within Saarc, accounting for 3.11 percent of total shipments.

"Export receipts of Bangladesh from Sri Lanka have been steadily increasing," the report said.

Exports to Nepal also showed growth, especially from FY11 to FY22, reaching a peak of $105.50 million in FY22 before plunging to $43.38 million in FY24.

Nepal accounted for 2.49 percent of Bangladesh's exports in FY24.

The Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan collectively imported about $25 million worth of Bangladeshi goods, with earnings from these three countries remaining stagnant over time.

The BB said Bangladesh exports a limited range of products within Saarc.

"Thus, authorities like the Export Promotion Bureau and Bangladesh Bank should take effective initiatives to boost export earnings from the Saarc region by selling diversified Bangladeshi goods."

"The authorities should review the main obstacles to selling diversified Bangladeshi goods to Saarc countries and mitigate them to reduce the trade deficit," it added.

The central bank further said that while Bangladesh continues to exhibit economic growth and trade expansion, further exploration of opportunities and mitigation of challenges, particularly within Saarc, remain necessary.

"Strengthening regional cooperation and addressing trade imbalances will be essential for sustainable economic development."​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Yes, if India wants. End of story.

 

[Saif]

Yes, if India wants. End of story.

What do you mean?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

What do you mean?

SAARC can only be revived if India want to revive not otherwise.