New Delhi: Veena Sikri, India’s former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has urged New Delhi to adopt a pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy and move the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) forward. She expressed this view in an interview with the Indian news agency ANI.
Veena Sikri stated that India should not remain trapped solely in adversarial narratives. She suggested that the ongoing rivalry and domestic conflicts between India and Pakistan within SAARC should be set aside, and Pakistan should be accorded due “respect,” as the rest of the world now views Pakistan as an important power.
She clarified that New Delhi has not stalled SAARC merely because of Pakistan, but rather due to India’s principled stance on terrorism. She emphasized that the regional bloc cannot move forward without a clear and structural resolution to this issue.
Referring to the political shifts in Bangladesh and Nepal, the former diplomat noted that the new generation desires practical outcomes such as technological cooperation, scholarships, markets, connectivity, and climate change initiatives—areas where India possesses immense potential and capability.
Regarding India-Bangladesh relations, she pointed out that during her 15-year tenure as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina had respected India’s security-related “red lines.”
Calling for realistic regional diplomacy, Sikri reiterated that India must not get stuck in competitive rhetoric.
She said, “Let’s talk about SAARC. Let’s be realistic and say, let’s set aside the India-Pakistan rivalry within SAARC. Let’s put aside our internal fight with Pakistan. Give Pakistan that respect, because now the rest of the world sees Pakistan as an important power.” By MD Abdur Rahman Dhaka.
