Kathmandu: After a lapse of almost three years or so, the SAARC Summit is all set to happen early next year, January 4-6,2002, given the confirmations of the leaders of India and Pakistan that they would attend the Kathmandu SAARC Summit.

The fact is that Nepal as the host of this eleventh Summit could play an immense role provided it wishes to play such a role in bringing about a charismatic change in the attitudes of rival India and Pakistan simply because for this country both the South Asian arch rivals perhaps were close and very trusted friends.

However, much will depend on India and Pakistan as to whether they wish Nepal playing such a role to mend their five decades long differences over the one and the only issue-Kashmir.

To recall, both India and Pakistan have fought wars on account of their dispute over Kashmir and at the moment they are poised for yet another war should the leaders of the two countries so decide.

Given the SAARC Charter stipulations, no contentious issues could be raised in the forum. But yet, say intellectuals, the smaller countries of the SAARC forum would do well if they collectively approach both India and Pakistan and tell them in no uncertain terms that let their bilateral rivalry not hamper the SAARC process.

In the process, Nepal, as the host country could initiate such moves on the sidelines of the Summit albeit taking into confidence the explicit support of the rest of the smaller nations.

Nepal too could initiate actions that promote sub-regionalism. One would wish to recall the big-bang with which a sort of South Asian Quadrangle was established a few years back which, we suppose, has already died a premature death.

This quadrangle housed Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh, to recall.

Will the countries belonging to the quadrangle raise the issue so that the people of the region benefit?

We wish the SAARC Summit a grand success