SAARC came into existence in 1985, at a time when there were no visionaries left among the political class of the Subcontinent. That is itself eloquent testimony to the irrelevance
The prospect of free trade in the subcontinent is expected to stamp-out illegal trade and the routing of goods through third countries leading in the long-term to benefits for all in the region.
There is a clear danger of alienating the spirit of consensus on which the success of a larger South Asian free trade area will depend.
It is no surprise that
It is worth remembering that even as free trade makes the headlines, agreements by themselves are not likely to work the magic. For South Asia to unleash its long-suppressed economic
Whatever sensible economic activity you can think of, an activity that adds to the wealth of the country, there is a government rule that stifles or constrains it.
It is
