It's a realisable goal

• Miscellaneous
• 13th December 2009
• YC

The Times of India

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has called on South Asian countries to set aside their differences and build a common political and economic entity, along the lines of the current European Union, by 2030. Such a union, according to Yunus, should allow free movement of goods and people and have common elements of foreign policy. It would make national boundaries porous, curtail excessive nationalism and, in the process, reduce cross-border tensions. It's not only possible to realise this vision, it's needed to solve most of South Asia's problems.

Sceptics are likely to rubbish the suggestion. They would argue that South Asia's current geopolitical climate makes the possibility of greater integration between countries in the region look remote. But two decades is a long time in history. We must not remain prisoners of the present when we imagine the future. If we persist with a negative mindset there is little that we can achieve. Post-war Europe's experience in building the EU provides sufficient reasons to believe that countries can set aside the scars of history and work together for peace and prosperity.

Could anyone have imagined in the 1930s and 40s that France, Germany, Italy and others could coexist as part of a common political and economic union that has made national borders almost redundant? These countries saw each other as enemies for centuries. The devastating experiences of many wars taught them the necessity of pursuing peace at the expense of nationalist egos. European countries could rise from the ashes of World War II and rebuild their societies and economies because their governments concentrated on removing trade barriers rather than consolidating national identity.

A South Asian union will certainly cool tempers in the subcontinent. Fundamentalists all over the region will find it difficult to whip up fear of the Other to ignite communal passions. Entwined economic interests would make fights over territory a thing of the past. With more resources and time in hand, these countries can concentrate on removing the worst feature of the region, the appalling poverty of millions of people.
COUNTERVIEW: No more than wishful thinking