Ensure better utilization of available resources: M. Hamid Ansari

Chandigarh, October 17, 2012: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today impressed upon the Union Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with their counterparts in Central Asian Countries for relaxation in visa norms to promote trade and commercial activity amongst these nations in a big way to script a new chapter of bi-lateral trade and regional cooperation. 

Addressing a galaxy of eminent scholars, academicians, intellectuals and political thinkers during the 3-day National Seminar on ‘India and Central Asia: Perspectives on Bilateral and Regional Co-operation’ organized by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) in collaboration with Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS) University of Kashmir here today at CRRID, the Chief Minister underscored the need to promote trade amongst India and Central Asian Countries on the top priority as it would immensely benefit Punjab being a border state in heralding a new era of economic co-operation and partnership in the region besides giving a fillip to the all-round development of the state. Pleading for relaxation of Visa norms between India and these countries, the Chief Minister said that it was basic factor for promotion of bilateral trade because stringent rules, regulations and procedures further complicate matters both for tourism and trade between the countries.

 Likewise he also stressed on the need for interaction between the governments of these countries and the Indian government for improving the security scenario for prospective investors adding that the issue of legal security for investments and for guarantees for long term ownership rights, especially in lands also needs to be addressed. Badal also said that at present, there was a plethora problems regarding permission of trade with private entrepreneurs from these countries, which also needs to be resolved at the earliest.

The Chief Minister further said that Punjab being a land locked state had left with only option of opening land route with these countries to propel the economic and commercial growth, which was the need of the hour. Recalling the age old socio, economic and cultural ties of Punjabis with people from the Central Asian Countries, Badal bemoaned that due to the re-drawing of the geographical boundaries, these ties had been adversely impacted. Elated over the considerable improvement in the socio-economic ties especially the recent surge in the trade due to path breaking initiated by the national governments of India and Pakistan in terms of setting up of ICP at Attari-Wagah border, he said that the countrymen in general and Punjabis in particular were satisfied as the bilateral relations between both the countries had been enormously strengthened with a growing sense of mutual friendship, goodwill, amity, trust and peace amongst the people.

Emphasising the thrust on the promotion of trade and commerce between India and Central Asia, the Chief Minister said that it would be bilaterally beneficial as these countries have bigger farms with few farmers, on the contrary we have smaller land holdings with more farmers well equipped with vast experience coupled with technical knowhow and expertise in the farm practices which could be aptly replicated in enhancing the crop productivity on vast and fertile but uncultivated lands of Central Asia. He said that it would open new avenues for Punjab farmers, who were already distressed due to their squeezing profits owing to immense pressure on state’s natural resources due to scarcity and fragmentation of land holdings. “This automatically creates a situation in which Punjabi farmers can use their talents on the lands in these countries for mutual benefit” added Mr. Badal.

The Chief Minister further said that Punjab on account of its huge locational advantage would be a major beneficiary with an uprising in the economic activity between India and Central Asia due to expansion in agricultural infrastructure such as cold chains, warehousing etc. near the border would result in the much required impetus to the development of the state. He further said that with the opening of this trade route Punjab would emerge as a hub for religious, cultural and medical tourism for people from these Central Asian countries adding that Amritsar would also regain its importance as a prime International Commercial Centre.

Lauding the keen interest shown by Vice President of India Mohammad Ansari by participating in this seminar, the Chief Minister hoped that it would go a long way in strengthening economic, social, commercial and cultural bonds amongst India and Central Asian nations. He also urged the delegates and participants to come forward with their learned and valuable suggestions on the steps which the Government of Punjab could take to help in facilitating greater flow of trade, commerce and cultural ties between India and Central Asia.

In his inaugural address the Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has said that different aspects of modern Central Asia were being studied in different research institutions in the country and the need of the hour is to enhance coordination and cooperation amongst them to avoid overlapping, ensure better utilization of available resources and, eventually, more meaningful inputs for our foreign policy objectives. He said that greater attention also needs to be devoted to language skills and the study of social impulses in individual societies. Diligent field work is essential for both and must be undertaken.

The Vice President said that foreign policy formulation rarely begins with a clean slate. Its building blocks, instead, consist of ground realities. He opined that over the past two decades and despite being land locked, Central Asia emerged as one of the fastest growing regions in the world, and has displayed considerable development potential. It is resource rich in terms of oil, gas, gold, cotton, rare-earths, has relatively advanced infrastructure and human capital, and enjoys the benefit of a strategic location between Asia and Europe. Many of the Central Asian Republics have embarked on market-oriented economic reforms to boost private sector competitiveness and economic performance.  As a result, leading and aspiring powers are active in the region in quest of natural resources, energy pipelines and transit routes leading to wide ranging geopolitical considerations pertaining to security, prevention of drug and arms smuggling, and countering terrorism and fundamentalism. He complemented CRRID for undertaking this initiative of seeking perspectives on the potential for cooperation between Central and South Asia for peace, security and development.

In his address Special Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, highlighted India’s role in International diplomatic relations and said that  a connectivity at the government and public level is being established to improve relations with other countries. He further said that whereas Indian films and cultural exchange programmes have become a big vehicle for maintaining cordial relations with the people living abroad, especially in Central Asia, regular high level interactions with the world leaders are being made for the progress, prosperity and peace in the region. 

Prominent among others, who spoke on the occasion  include Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, TKA Nair, former Foreign Secretary of India Salman Haider, Director  Centre for Central Asian Studies, Kashmir University, Srinagar Prof. G.M. Mir, Executive Vice-Chairman , CRRID Rashpal Malhotra, and Director General, CRRID, Chandigarh Prof. Sucha Singh Gill.