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Aiyar favours more cooperation among Asian countries

PUDUCHERRY: Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday highlighted the need for more cooperation among the Asian countries to earn “due respect and a place” among the comity of nations.

“The stage has been set for Asian resurgence in the economic, cultural and philosophical spheres. The continent, which was on the decline from the 18th century, is on the rise now,” he said, delivering the inaugural address at a seminar on ‘Emerging challenges in South Asian regional cooperation,’ organised by the Pondicherry University.

Now it is time for the Asian countries to take stock of the factors that led to their decline and evolve steps to cash in on the opportunity that lies ahead, he said.

The geographic and demographic advantage of the Asian countries, besides the huge energy resources, provided an excellent platform for an economic revival, he said.

As for cooperation among Asian countries in the energy sector, Mr. Aiyar said he had suggested the establishment of an Asian Oil and Gas Community and an Asian Union when he was Petroleum Minister. “I don’t know the reason why I was not allowed to continue in the Ministry,” he said. The potential for such cooperation among the Asian countries in the energy sector was huge.

“South Asian cooperation, at least in the Indian perspective, should be seen as larger cooperation among Asian countries, and not for hegemony,” Mr. Aiyar said. India should see the future of the country as part of the Asian resurgence and revival.

The biggest challenge before the leaders of many South Asian countries was to put in place a proper political structure that would deliver the goods, he said. India would have to play a constructive role in South Asian politics.

Mr. Aiyar said the huge allocation provided in the Union budget for the development of the North-eastern States would further enhance India’s relations with the East Asian countries and give a big push to the Look-East Asia policy.

He also stressed the need for strengthening relations with Iran and West Asian countries.

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