SAARC opinion-makers' meet next month

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, NOV. 13. Opinion-makers from the SAARC region will meet in Kathmandu early next month, as part of the ``track II'' efforts, to discuss measures to strengthen cooperation among the member countries, the former Indian Prime Minister, Mr. I.K. Gujral, said here today.

Mr. Gujral, who was on his way home after a visit to the U.S., told Indian correspondents that the meeting was likely to set up a Citizens' Commission for South Asia, which would work as a think-tank.

Apart from him, others who were expected to attend the Kathmandu meet included Dr. Manmohan Singh, Ms. Asma Jehangir and Mr. Moin Qureshi. The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Amartya Sen, had also been invited.

About his U.S. visit, where he was conferred an honorary doctorate at St. Rose University in Albany, New York, Mr. Gujral said he noticed a sea-change in the Americans' attitude towards India.

``India is suddenly at the centre of their thinking which was not the case some years ago''.

He said wherever he went, he got the impression that people were impressed by the strength of Indian democracy. This was particularly noticeable on American campuses and the various think-tanks. The ``broad American thinking'' was in favour of India, he said adding that he was returning home ``very elated''.

At the United Nations, the Palestine issue dominated the agenda and there was concern over the future of the peace process. India had made its position clear - it wanted the peace process to succeed keeping in mind the rights of the Palestinian people, Mr. Gujral said. He was happy to note that during his interaction with American academics and intellectuals, the controversies relating to Indo-Pakistan relations did not figure and the emphasis was more on mutual interests.

``I was struck by the interest in Indian scholarship. More and more universities are setting centres for India studies'', he said.

The Institute of Strategic Studies in Washington had set up a group of eminent persons to study the impact of ageing on international relations and security and he had been invited to attend its meeting in Zurich in January.

There were concerns about the problems which longevity had thrown up in terms of old- age pension and fall in productivity, he said. India with its large population, comprising a massive youth component, was seen to be an asset in this context.

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