Indian Viewpoint - Satyabrata Pal, High Commissioner of India in Pakistan

Abstract

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, The problem with speaking at a valedictory session, without being at the earlier sessions, is that you do not quite know what it is you are saying goodbye to. Today, however, that is less of a problem, because none of us is bidding SAFTA goodbye; it needs a benediction, which I hope you have pronounced, not a valediction. Your Roundtable follows what has been described as the smoothest SAARC summit ever. It went so well because all its members perhaps now believe that it can help them, and that it must roll up its sleeves and work, moving quickly from declarations to implementation.