International conference on Central and South Asia connectivity envisioned and hosted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concluded here in Tashkent on 16 July 2021 afternoon with positive notes from all sides especially Pakistan and Afghnistan.
It was highly important conference as it was attended by the heads of governments of both countries that are central in case of connectivity between the two regions. Moreover the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Turkey, Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan, Tajikistan the heads of many regional and world organizations were also present.
Secretary General UNO Mr Antonio Gutress addressed the conference virtually and expressed his support and well wishes for President Uzbekistan for his intiative to connect the two regions.
Vice President of European Commission Mr Joseph Borel shared the experience of EU with respect to connectivity. He wished the best to the President and partner states on the road towards interconnecting their regions.
Repersentatives from Council of Independent States, Turkic Council, Economic Cooperation Organization and other organizations were also among the speakers who highlighted the benefits of connectivity.
In the preliminarty session the stage was having four dignitaries in the chair. They were President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the center, Prime Minister Imran Khan on one and President Ashraf Ghani on the other side.
Vice President of EU Commission Mr Joseph Borel was there to express the importance of connectivity as the European Union is the brightest example of connectivity. The member states of European Union achieved more develpment only after entering into the union softening the borders and barriers.
When we talk about connectivity between Central and South Asian Nations, Pakistan is extending all possible support to the idea and Prime Minister Imran Khan is reciprocating with full fledged sincere and warm feelings and acceptance to the vision of President Uzbekistan as it was observed earlier on 14 April 2021 first virtual summit between the two leaders.
The other two countries that are supposed to extend full cooperation to the vision are Afghanistan and India. President Ashraf Ghani’s presence in the conference depicts that Afghanistan Government is ready to play its role in this regard. Similarly India also seems willing to move towards that direction as a delegation under the leadership of a union minister was also present in the conference.
But both leaders from Afghanistan and India misused the highly positive forum for their negative remarks about Pakistan. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar did not spare China even.
President Ghani resorted to the same rhetoric of accusing Pakistan for Afghan Governments’ own failure to solve the problems of insurgency and Talibanization. He said 10 thousand Taliban have entered into Afghanistan mainly from Pakistan and some other countries. He emphasized on Pakistan to talk to the Taliban.
Prime Minister Imran Khan responded that Pakistan left no stone unturned to facilitate Afghan stakeholders to sit on table for dialogue and reach to a solution of your own. Pakistan itself is the worst affected by the unrest in Afghanistan. The PM noted that why Taliban would listen to Pakistan when US & NATO forces are out and Taliban are seeing victory before them? He tried to convince President Ghani to see the realities.
Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar instead of speaking on the subject for which he was invited there, promoted his own agenda by advocating connectivity bypassing Pakistan and apparently hinting at the initiative of Central Asia South Asia is not viable. This was totally against the norms that you are a guest to an international gathering of high officials and you are up to something else. He said that Chabahar port of Iran is better option for connecting Central Asia to the sea. North South Corridor was his main concern to put forward and the basic idea of connecting two regions was not important for him to dwell upon.
Earlier President Shavkat held virtual summit with Prime Minister Narender Modi in April 2021. Both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in all possible spheres and it was agreed upon that both countries will keep in touch to enhance the interactive meeting and contacts.
Prime Minister Imran Khan assured Pakistan’s complete conformity with the initiative of President Shavkat. As long as, his reference to Jammu Kashmir dispute is concerned, the PM rightly pointed out that Pakistan seeks a just solution to develop relations and connectivity with India. Imran Khan is head of a political party and no party in Pakistan can allow India to use Pakistani transit unless the dispute is solved according to UN resolutions that give right of self determination to people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
We hope that both Afghanistan and India will remain committed to the connection initiative. There are some differences between Afghanistan and Pakistan. India also has a big dispute on Jammu Kashmir with Pakistan.
The efforts to connect the two regions can be successful if the countries do not raise their bilateral disputes on the forums like the conference held by President Shavkat. Such conferences are for the betterment of all. Therefore we need to see the efforts in true sense of the well being of the humanity and not with the mirror of bilateral differences.
Tazeen Akhtar
