A group of Indian Parliamentarians have strongly affirmed that continuation of dialogues between India and Pakistan is only solution to political problems between these two countries, which will positively affect the process of economic integration of South Asia.

This was transpired during a dialogue with Parliamentarians" Trade and Investment within SAARC: Obstacles and Way forward to overcome them" which was attended by a group of 22 Indian Parliamentarians addressed by Mr. Tariq Sayeed, President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry on December 3, 2009 at New Delhi. SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized this forum in collaboration with Freidrich Naumann Foundation and Parliamentarian Forum of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry.

The objective of the Forum was to enlighten the Parliamentarians with the economic issues and challenges faced by South Asian region and to seek their support for voicing the concerns of the Private Sector at appropriate Forums. Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice , SAAR CCI (Pakistan), Mr. Iqbal Tabish, Secretary General, SAARC CCI, Dr. Rene laff, Regional Director, FNF also attended the Forum.

President SAARC CCI in his comprehensive presentation stated that in addition to socio-political issues, Parliamentarians need to play their due role on economic fronts, suggesting their Governments to resolve political problems in the larger interest of socio-economic development of the region.

He said that peace and political stability was must for socio-economic growth of the region and added that Human Resources development through investment in Health and Education sectors was imperative for socio-economic growth of SAARC. He requested the Indian Parliamentarian to play their due role in continuation of composite dialogue between two Major players of South Asia in the larger interest of the region, the 40% population of which was living below poverty line.

The parliamentarians were briefed about the role of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry towards promotion of economic cooperation in the region, who expressed their desire to take up such issues, which were impeding the socio-economic growth of the region. The participants were of the pinion that the political leadership in South Asia need to change its mindset, which was a real obstacle in promotion of economic ties in the region. They supported the idea of Private Sectors involvement in policy formulation on economic issues and said that Governments of SAARC Nations should offer deeper cut on tariffs and reduce Non-Tariff Barriers to promote intra-regional trade.

Mr. Tariq Sayeed, responded to all the queries raised by all the Parliamentarians during the course of discussion. The Parliamentarians exhibited positive attitude towards issues relating to India and Pakistan and offered their support for creating SAARC Parliamentarian Forum to effectively address issues faced by South Asian region.

The Parliamentarians who attended the Forum belonged to various political parties in rule including Congress, Bartia Janta Party, CNP, Lok Sabah and were representating thier constituencies on various standing committees like Finanace, Trade, Education, Health, External Affairs, Rural development, Population welfare, HRD, Internal affairs, Local bodies, Environment etc and comprised Mr. N.K. Singh, Mr. P.D. Ram, Halahming Liana, Mr. Prakash Javadekhag, Mr. Nairang, Mr. Masha Mukherjee, Mr. J.D. Seelam. Dr. J.M. Waghmave, Mr. Muhammad Shafi, Dr. Sanjay Jaisal, Mr. Shiv Kumar Udav, Dr. E.M.S. Nathadar, Mr. Jayant Chaurdhry, Mr. Anurag Thakur, Mr. Grish Sanghi etc.