Thimphu: Bhutan has nominated Dasho Sonam Topgay for the position of Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), as the eight-member regional bloc remains gridlocked and has not convened a summit in over a decade. Topgay's nomination requires the consensus of all seven other SAARC member states before he can officially assume the role within the organization.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the nomination arises as incumbent SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is set to conclude his three-year term by the end of October. The established alphabetical rotation system within SAARC dictates that it is now Bhutan's turn to nominate the next Secretary General. The issue is expected to be addressed at a SAARC meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, where member states may seek a consensus on the new Secretary General, as reported by a diplomatic source.
SAARC consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The 18th SAARC Summit took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from November 26 to 27, 2014, where state leaders from the eight member countries gathered to discuss the organization's agendas. During the summit, leaders welcomed Pakistan's offer to host the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in 2016, but it was postponed following India's withdrawal after the Uri terror attack.
Official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, commented on the situation last week in New Delhi, stating, "You know our position on SAARC. I have clarified on many occasions. We all know why SAARC is not moving, and there is one particular country responsible for that."
In a parallel development, Bangladesh has renewed its push to revive SAARC. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam recently reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to revitalizing the organization and highlighted the ministry's intention to play a more proactive role. She emphasized sustained political engagement, cultural initiatives, and broader stakeholder involvement as vital elements in this effort.
Bangladesh believes regional cooperation is essential for addressing the common challenges facing South Asia and advancing the shared interests and aspirations of its peoples. The country reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the SAARC process, emphasizing the need for sustained engagement, dialogue, and practical collaboration among member states.
Md Golam Sarwar, the outgoing SAARC Secretary General, paid a farewell courtesy call on Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on August 23. During the meeting, Sarwar expressed deep appreciation for Bangladesh's historic leadership and steadfast commitment to the SAARC process and regional cooperation, according to the SAARC Secretariat. He underscored the enduring significance of SAARC as the premier regional platform for promoting peace, stability, prosperity, and shared development in South Asia.
The meeting highlighted the importance of translating the shared vision of SAARC into practical, people-centered, and result-oriented cooperation, with greater emphasis on economic integration, connectivity, food security, climate resilience, sustainable development, and enhanced people-to-people contacts. Sarwar expressed sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government of Bangladesh for their continued support to SAARC, reaffirming his commitment to working closely with all member states to advance the organization's objectives and contribute to the revitalization of the regional process.