Thimphu:
The 21st century is called the Asian century, but for 25 years, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has struggled to get off the ground.
Today, for the first time in 25 years, a member state took India and Pakistan head on, blaming them of making SAARC virtually non functional.
"I hope neighbours can find ways to compartmentalise their differences while finding ways to move forward. I am of course referring to India and Pakistan. I hope this summit will lead to greater dialogue between (them)," said Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed during his address to the 16th SAARC Summit on Wednesday.
It's the first time a head of state has spoken out so openly. The remarks came as a surprise as normally bilateral issues and relations are not raked up in multilateral forums such as SAARC.
Shortly before Nasheed's speech, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comment that "SAARC's glass was still half empty" sent a not so subtle message to Pakistan.
"Mutual respect and tolerance are part of our civilisational heritage, so is the abhorrence of extremism, radicalism and terrorism. Let us pledge to revive the South Asia of our dreams that is once again a source of new ideas, new knowledge and new opportunities," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his speech at the Summit.
Pakistani Prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, sitting just a few chairs away hit back, "Only when we refuse to be held hostage to history, only when we sincerely work to build trust, resolve disputes, bridge perceptions and see merit in an enlightened collective self interest, we will be able to unleash our latent potential."
The regional grouping now has more observers than member states due to its geo-strategic importance. Many members are looking to India and its growing economy to be the engine of progress for SAARC. As the group tries to project a united front on all issues - from climate change to economic progress - perhaps India and Pakistan owe it to the rest to set aside their differences for the benefit of the grouping.