Prof. Ramneek Mohan presents his thoughts on concrete steps that the Visa Free and Nuclear Free South Asia Conference should consider.

The Visa Free and Nuclear Free South Asia Conference  begins in the first weeks of August in Lahore. Can we think of taking some CONCRETE steps as a follow-up to the conference? We could take them up from the Resolution passed in the Delhi conference last year.

 #   The resolution says we should ensure that "common socio-cultural and historical heritage of the region is  taken  forward". Can we think of steps in this direction? Trips, visits to places, some small magazine/newsletter sort of thing, involving archaeologists / historians of the region in the endeavour? Documenting issues of common socio-cultural concern  - and their dissemination through organisations that copuld take this up as some sort of a movement/campaign ?

 #    In continuation of the above point is the one about inter-action between schools and colleges. Can we gather information in this regard and explore possibilities of bringing in not just reputed institutions but also smaller

 ones involving not just the metropolitans but other cities as well , taking in students from the lower rungs of society too?

#    The resolution speaks of "democratic rights be(ing) strengthened" and attention to be paid to the "rights of  women   and deprived sections of society". Can we visualise activities around these sections of society with peace and development also as themes? 

# The situation in Nepal has undergone a major change. How do we respond to it and what steps do we visualise for taking this issue forward? We also need to get to know about the latest situation in Bhutan.

# We had called for stop to militarisation, end to nuclear weapons and publicly transparent defence expenditure - how can we take this forward? Can/should organisations like CNDP not take this up (especially the issue of transparency) on a suistained basis?

# India's nuclear deal with the USA and its deeper implications need further, sustained exposure. - this, especially as the resolution had called for SAARC countries not to go in for any agreement with "any super power endangering autonomy and sovereignty".

#  In the context of Jammu and Kashmir , and opposition to communal and fundamentalist forces  a push be called for , for sustained dialogue in spite of disturbing developments in the sub-continent in this context.

In this context, in my opinion, we need to address another constituency seriously - there are people, I believe, who would readily come for peace and development but have reservations on the "terrorism" issue. We need to convince them from our vantage point, meeting their point on terrorism cogently on the rational plane - though it is very difficult to rationalise issues that others look upon in emotional terms. This is a constituency that needs to be won over. We should not shut our eyes to this issue but meet it head on, even as we argue for peace, development and security on a sustained basis. 

#   I do hope there will be a session that gives information on developments in South Asian countries apart from India and Pakistan. We had some focus on Nepal and Bhutan last year. I for one know little about countries like Maldives.

#  The nuclear issue should get exclusive attention and it would be great if people like Nayyar Sahab and Sandeep ji could work on this.

#  Can we take some concrete steps on the visa issue? How do we pressurise the governments in  this regard? Is there scope for some sort of documentation of cases - testimonies of people who have had to go through the tough visa-passport regime and its  procedures ?

#Can we in  some way - through exhibitions, for example - showcase the struggles of people for making a better South Asia?

The first conference was held in Delhi; the second is coming up in Lahore; can we widen the scope and move towards holding the third in another SAARC country apart from India and Pakistan?

Many of these issues might be quite difficult to negotiate on the ground - constraints of time, manpower, and logistics are likely to come in the way but I think we should at least discuss them and move ahead from just pure discussions to some concrete action as well - even if they be in bits and pieces.