Two-Day International Conference Conflict and Cooperation in South Asia: Role of Major Powers 12 December 2018 - Press Release issued by Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

Islamabad -- December 12, 2018 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)

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Apart from the traditional security threats, the South Asian countries face multiple common challenges in the realm of non-traditional security. It is imperative that regional cooperation be sought to address such collective concerns like rising poverty, food insecurity, water shortages, illicit trafficking, poor human development indices etc., in the domain of social sector and human resource development.

Pakistan should, therefore, focus on strengthening its economy through structural reforms and robust trade regimes. Bilateral transit trade agreements and SAARC's agenda should be promoted so that regional trade volume could be enhanced.

Emphasis should be placed on diplomatic means, political dialogues and negotiations at both bilateral and multilateral levels to amicably settle inter-state disputes. Pakistan's recent peace overtures towards both Afghanistan and India are unfortunately not being reciprocated. The existing political and security paradigm demands that countries must resume dialogue and open communication channels regarding issues of critical nature. Global powers should play a proactive role in bridging the divide between disputants by facilitating political engagements between South Asian countries.

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers a vision of common economic development for the entire South Asian region, which may eventually lead to common security architecture. Rather than attempting to sink this economic initiative in controversy, it should be seen as a means for mutual economic prosperity and development.

Pakistan and the US must rationalise their expectations from each other in terms of their objectives in the region and common concerns. The US and Pakistan must move from transactional to principle based relationship.

These were some of the policy recommendations put forward by speakers from Pakistan, China, Russia and the US speaking on the final day of the international conference 'Conflict and Cooperation in South Asia: Role of Major Powers' organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, here in Islamabad today.

In his keynote speech, Chief Guest H.E. Mr Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ and K) urged Pakistan not to change, abandon nor alter its stance on Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), and called on the government to develop a holistic...