Towards Asian Renaissance

The Saudi King, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz will grace the august occasion of our Republic Day celebrations in January 2006. Surely this is going to be a huge occasion for both the countries. The king’s visit will not only strengthen bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia but would also help accelerate the implementation of the grand vision of Asian renaissance. The dream of Asian renaissance would remain unfulfilled unless South Asia economically integrates with West and Central Asia. From an economic point of view Saudi Arabia, along with Iran, is the most important country in the Middle East. A future Iraq, freed from Anglo-American occupation, would form the economic triangle of the Middle East and bring about the Asian renaissance which people have been talking about for quite a long time.

Of late Saudi Arabia, like the entire world, has come to realize the growing importance of an economically resurgent India. The Saudi businessmen have already visited Delhi and other commercial cities in order to explore investment opportunities. This attitudinal change, on the part of the kingdom, has occurred not only because of 9/11 but also because of India’s huge potentials for economic growth.

India, along with Pakistan, is essential to bridge the gap between South East Asia and Central and West Asia. Difficult it may appear, but at least a loose economic integration of entire Asia is feasible, and all steps in this direction should be welcome as worthwhile efforts. Often small steps take us to the heights which otherwise we can not dream of. The Saudi king’s visit to India might prove to be that all important step which marks the beginning of what the future generation will remember as a huge occasion.

It is believed that the Saudi king is also coming as a messenger of peace. There is no quarrel between the two countries and hence this matter of peace appears to be irrelevant. Accepted, there is no conflict of any kind between India and Saudi Arabia but we have a long history of tense relations with our Western neighbour. Iran has already been trying to impress upon India and Pakistan about the dividends that peace will bring about for both the countries. Saudi Arabia, too, is all set to convince Delhi that General Musharraf’s peace overtures should be taken seriously. The kingdom’s belief is that an enduring friendship between India and Pakistan is essential for implementing the vision of Asian renaissance.

The main problem between India and Pakistan, as we all know, is the dispute over Kashmir. Of late Pakistan has realized that it can not take Kashmir from India. Moreover, technology is fast rendering borders irrelevant. Therefore Islamabad, perhaps, wants that both India and Pakistan give greater autonomy to the parts of Kashmir they hold and allow the Kashmiris to move freely in apparently separate but loosely integrated Kashmir. In the given circumstances such a solution is perhaps not only viable but also promising. It would be promising, not only for India and Pakistan but also for entire Asia. Peace between India and Pakistan will pave the way for freer and larger movement of people from South East Asia to West and Central Asia. The whole Asia might gradually become one after getting linked through a chain of roadways and Railways. Such linkages would surely bring economic benefits to all the concerned. The vision of Asian renaissance is great enough; it is, as mentioned above, promising too, and therefore a dispute between India and Pakistan that hinders the realization of this grand vision must be solved. If the Saudi king’s visit helps solve the dispute, it is more welcome and the occasion should be capitalized upon with an open heart and mind.

[December, 2005]