SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC)

Introduction:

• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an intergovernmental organization, promotes regional and economic cooperation across South Asia.
• Established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
• SAARC includes eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Covers 3% of the world’s total area and accounts for 21% of the global population.

Principles:

• Upholding sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states, ensuring mutual benefits.
• Cooperation must complement, not replace, bilateral and multilateral collaborations.
• Actions should align with existing bilateral and multilateral obligations.

Objectives:

• Promoting the welfare and quality of life of South Asia’s people.
• Accelerating economic growth, social progress, and cultural development, ensuring dignity and full potential realization.
• Fostering collective self-reliance among South Asian nations.
• Building trust, understanding, and appreciating each other’s challenges.
• Encouraging active collaboration in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific areas.
• Supporting partnerships with other developing countries.
• Enhancing unity in international forums on shared concerns.
• Collaborating with regional and global organizations with similar missions.

Structure:

• Council: The highest decision-making body, comprising government leaders from member countries.
• Council of Ministers: Comprising foreign ministers, convening twice annually to deliberate on regional matters.

Specialized Bodies of SAARC:

• SAARC Development Fund (SDF):
  • Focused on financing projects aimed at poverty alleviation and socio-economic advancement.
  • SDF is managed by a Board from the finance ministries of member states and overseen by the Governing Council.
• South Asian University (SAU):
  • An international academic institution based in India, with degrees recognized on par with those from national universities.
• South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO):
  • Headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, SARSO works on standardization to enhance trade and global market access for member states.
• SAARC Arbitration Council:
  • An intergovernmental body in Pakistan, facilitating fair dispute resolutions in trade, investment, and other commercial sectors.

Significance of SAARC for India:

• Boosting regional cooperation: SAARC facilitates collaboration in trade, economic growth, and cultural exchanges, benefiting India’s ties with neighboring countries.
• Better neighborly relations: A platform for resolving disputes and improving ties through diplomacy.
• Strategic influence: India, being a founding and key member, can guide SAARC’s agenda to align with national interests.
• Expanding market access: Fostering economic ties within South Asia benefits India’s trade and investment.
• Supporting the Act East Policy: SAARC’s integration with Southeast Asia enhances economic growth, especially in services.

Reasons for SAARC’s Dormancy:

• India-Pakistan tensions affect cooperation.
• Failure to leverage commonalities and adopt new ideas.
• Perception of India as a “Big Brother” discourages collaboration among smaller nations.
• Resource constraints: Reluctance to increase financial contributions.
• Poor connectivity and infrastructure deficits limit regional integration.

Need for SAARC Revival:

• Peaceful coexistence: Reviving SAARC can lead to better dialogue and cooperation.
• Economic growth: Enhanced trade among member states could spur prosperity.
• Regional security: Collaboration fosters peace and stability.
• Global influence: As South Asia’s largest organization, a revived SAARC could impact international affairs.

Challenges Facing SAARC:

• Broad focus areas dilute efforts and resources.
• Minimal intra-regional trade: Less than 5% of SAARC members’ trade is within the bloc.
• Political apathy: Prioritization of global over regional alliances.
• Persistent bilateral tensions, especially between India and Pakistan.
• The “Big Brother” complex: India’s dominance concerns neighboring countries.
• Slow project execution: Delayed Indian initiatives damage credibility, leading nations to seek partnerships with China or Western countries.
• Chinese influence through the Belt & Road Initiative.
• Absence of dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Pakistan’s obstructionist approach has halted initiatives like the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement.

Way Forward:

• Mediation and conflict resolution: Establish mechanisms for informal and formal dialogue.
• Economic priorities: Focus on trade and development rather than security.
• Charter amendments: Introducing a “SAARC Minus” concept for flexibility.
• Promote grassroots connections: Increase people-to-people engagement for shared understanding.
• Earn leadership: India should work to gain trust and establish itself as a credible leader.
• Common security challenges: Address threats like terrorism with a unified strategy.

Conclusion:

• SAARC’s potential lies in fostering peace, economic cooperation, and global relevance. However, past challenges—like unresolved tensions and unfulfilled commitments—have hindered progress.
• To unlock this potential, member states must prioritize collaboration, address disputes, and work toward a peaceful, economically integrated South Asia