DHAKA, Nov 11: India issued a blunt warning on Friday that failed states could emerge in South Asia, as leaders gathered in Dhaka for 13th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Saarc is seeking new impetus at its weekend meeting after failing in its two decades of existence to boost regional integration due to old rivalries and domestic conflicts.

“The danger of a number of failed states emerging in our neighbourhood has far-reaching consequences for our region and our people,” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a lecture in New Delhi before leaving for Dhaka.

Instability could generate refugee flows and destabilize border areas, he said.

“We see signs of the ills of disaffection, alienation and conflict not only in India, but also across our neighbourhood.”

Although Mr Singh did not name any country, analysts said he could be referring in particular to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Nepal is struggling to fight a Maoist insurgency while political parties pit themselves against King Gyanendra, who sacked the government and took power earlier this year.

Bangladesh is in the grip of a security clampdown after a wave of bombings in recent months by militants.—Reuters

Opinion

Disputed canal project

Disputed canal project

It seems that PP, which claims to champion the struggle for people’s democratic rights, is now only interested in protecting its own power.

Editorial

Forgotten inmates
Updated 26 Feb, 2025

Forgotten inmates

Diversion programmes are needed for minor offences and people with psychosocial disabilities should receive treatment rather than be jailed.
Controlling crypto
26 Feb, 2025

Controlling crypto

THOUGH Pakistan’s official position on cryptocurrencies has evolved considerably over the years, there still seems...
Deadly roads
26 Feb, 2025

Deadly roads

DRIVING in Karachi can be hazardous, with chaos on the roads, and very little by way of following rules and...
All out
Updated 25 Feb, 2025

All out

PAKISTAN cricket captain Mohammad Rizwan’s assessment was brutal — it could not have been any other way. At ...
Bearing the brunt
25 Feb, 2025

Bearing the brunt

FOR the past several months, we have repeatedly been told by the prime minister and his cabinet that the government...
Afghan resettlement
25 Feb, 2025

Afghan resettlement

AFGHAN refugees who fled their country after the Taliban took over in 2021, and who hoped to resettle in the West,...