Former PM Bhattarai Urges SAARC Unity Amidst Regional Challenges

Former Prime Minister of Nepal and Chairperson of the Nepal Samajwadi Party, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, took to social media to underscore the importance of unity within the South Asian region. Reflecting on the SAARC Summit 17 in the Maldives back in 2012, with its theme of “Building Bridges,” Dr. Bhattarai shared his concerns about the current state of regional relations.

In a social media platform X, Dr. Bhattarai vividly recalled his interactions with then-Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh of India and Yusuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan during the summit. He emphasized the critical role of their working relations in determining the success of the SAARC initiative, urging them to embrace their historic responsibility with grit and sensitivity.

Expressing disappointment, Dr. Bhattarai noted that, unfortunately, the theme of “Building Bridges” had seemingly transformed into a reality of “Breaking Bridges,” particularly with the change in leadership in India. He called for a reassessment of the situation and underscored the importance of South Asia avoiding prolonged disconnection and remaining the largest island of poverty in the world.

Dr. Bhattarai’s message resonates at a time when regional cooperation faces challenges, and his call for unity within SAARC serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to address issues and build stronger ties for the prosperity of the South Asian region.

SAARC ( South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation ) Summit 17, held in Maldives in 2012 with a lofty theme of “ Building Bridges”!

I vividly remember telling to both the PMs of India ( Dr Manmohan Singh ) and Pakistan ( Yusuf Raza Gilani ) that the future of SAARC… pic.twitter.com/FYqXT2zpFQ

— Baburam Bhattarai (@brb1954) December 24, 2023