New
Delhi: A single currency in South Asia, mutual security
co-operation and open borders could be the region's peace
dividend, ushered in through the creation of hope and
opportunity for its billion-and-a-half people, said the
Prime Minister, Mr A.B. Vajpayee, while inaugurating a
conference on `Peace dividend - Progress for India and
South Asia' here
"The investment inputs required to reap this dividend
are pragmatic politics, rational economics and popular
participation," he said.
Cautioning
against letting "outside powers" exploit the
differences among the countries in the region, Mr Vajpayee
noted that political disputes in other parts of the world
had been "quietly deferred for tackling at a more
opportune time."
Elaborating
on his `ambitious and futuristic though plausible line
of thinking,' Mr Vajpayee said: "As we develop greater
economic stakes in each other, we can put aside mistrust
and dispel unwarranted suspicions." In the post-Cold
War context, he pointed out that other parts of the world
were increasingly focusing on regional economics. Stating
that "political disputes have
been resolved diplomatically or quietly deferred... ,"
the Prime Minister said, "There is a clear recognition
that hostility only stunts economics, inhibits trade and
retards progress."
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