SAARC (SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION)

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to convene a virtual conference, bringing together leaders from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations. The purpose of this conference was to collectively address the potential impact of the virus within the region. During this gathering, Prime Minister Modi announced a significant pledge of USD 10 million to contribute to the SAARC relief fund, which aimed to combat the challenges posed by the pandemic. It’s worth noting that several other member nations also made contributions to this fund, showcasing a united front in the face of a common threat.

However, Pakistan’s approach during the conference raised concerns. The country’s stance appeared to hinder constructive discussions on the pandemic-related matters. To gain a clearer perspective on SAARC and its objectives, let’s delve into the organization’s core principles and goals.

Historical Context

The origins of a regional alliance in South Asia can be traced back to the visionary leadership of former Bangladeshi President General Zia Ur Rahman, who recognized the potential for cooperation in the region.

A series of significant meetings marked the organization’s inception. In 1981, the Foreign Secretaries of key nations in the South Asian region, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, gathered to deliberate on this idea. Following this, the Foreign Ministers of these nations convened in 1983, bringing the establishment of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) closer to realization.

The inaugural SAARC summit took place in 1985, hosted in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. This historic event marked the official formation of the organization.

SAARC’s growth continued further. In 2007, Afghanistan became its eighth member, further strengthening its presence and regional engagement.

Additionally, SAARC boasts a list of observer nations and entities, which includes Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States. These observers actively participate in the organization’s proceedings.

One distinctive characteristic of SAARC is its decision-making process. Here, all decisions are made through a consensus-based approach, fostering cooperation and mutual agreement among its member states.

---

Goals of SAARC

The Charter of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) outlines its fundamental objectives, which encompass a wide array of regional development and cooperation. These goals are:

1. Enhancing Well-Being: SAARC strives to enhance the welfare of the South Asian people and elevate their quality of life. This includes fostering conditions that allow individuals to lead dignified lives and realize their full potential.
2. Advancing Economic Growth: The organization is committed to accelerating economic growth within the region. It seeks to foster social progress, cultural development, and equitable opportunities for all its citizens.
3. Encouraging Self-Reliance: SAARC promotes the idea of selective self-reliance among its member nations. This approach aims to harness the potential and resources within the region to meet various needs.
4. Fostering Mutual Trust: A key objective is to cultivate mutual trust, understanding, and appreciation among member states. This helps in addressing and solving regional problems collectively.
5. Facilitating Collaboration: SAARC seeks active collaboration and mutual assistance in a diverse range of areas, including economics, social development, culture, as well as technical and scientific domains.
6. Strengthening Ties with Other Developing Nations: The organization aims to bolster cooperation with other developing nations, fostering mutually beneficial relationships.
7. Unifying in International Forums: SAARC members unite to cooperate and present a common front in international forums on issues of shared concern, amplifying their regional influence on the global stage.
8. Partnering with International and Regional Organizations: SAARC actively collaborates with international and regional entities that share similar goals and purposes, working in tandem to address common challenges and promote collective prosperity.

Principles of SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is guided by several fundamental principles that underpin its collaborative efforts. These principles include:

1. Sovereignty and Equality: SAARC upholds the values of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political equality, and independence for all member states. Each nation is regarded as equal and has the right to govern its internal affairs without external interference.
2. Non-Interference: SAARC is committed to non-interference in the internal matters of its member states. This principle emphasizes the importance of respecting each nation’s sovereignty and independence.
3. Mutual Cooperation: The organization is dedicated to fostering cooperation among its members for mutual benefit. This collaboration spans various domains and endeavors to improve the collective welfare of the region.
4. Unanimous Decision-Making: SAARC makes decisions through a unanimous process, requiring the consensus of all eight member states. This approach ensures that all nations have a say in important matters.
5. Resolution of Multilateral Issues: SAARC discussions focus on multilateral issues involving multiple countries rather than dwelling on bilateral matters. This approach allows for unbiased consideration of regional challenges.

Areas of Collaboration

SAARC’s cooperative efforts encompass a wide array of areas, including:

1. Agriculture and Rural Development: Members work together to enhance agricultural practices and improve rural development in the region.
2. Empowering Women, Youth, and Children: SAARC is dedicated to promoting the well-being and empowerment of women, youth, and children across South Asia.
3. Health and Population Matters: The organization addresses health and population-related issues to improve the overall well-being of its citizens.
4. Science, Technology, and Climate Change: SAARC seeks to harness the benefits of science and technology while addressing climate change concerns.
5. Human Resource Development: Collaborative efforts focus on developing human resources and capacities within the region.
6. Transport and Energy: Members work together to improve transport infrastructure and energy systems to facilitate regional connectivity and growth.

SAARC Achievements

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has accomplished several significant milestones over the years, contributing to regional development and cooperation. Some of these achievements include:

1. Fostering South Asian Identity: One of SAARC’s most significant achievements is its role in bringing member states closer and encouraging them to think about regional issues and identity. It promotes a positive image of each member state, making them attractive to the people of SAARC countries for emulation.
2. South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA): SAARC introduced SAFTA to boost trade between member states. SAFTA was initiated in December 1995, emphasizing the need for a “South Asian Free Trade Area Exchange.”
3. The SAARC Food Bank: Originally established as an emergency source for facing crises such as food shortages or natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, the SAARC Food Bank plays a pivotal role in providing mutual support for ensuring food security in South Asia.
4. SAARC Development Fund: The SAARC Development Fund was established in 2010 by eight SAARC members with the objective of promoting the welfare of the people of the South Asian region. It aims to improve their quality of life, stimulate economic growth, enhance social progress, and alleviate poverty.
5. South Asian University: Another significant achievement of SAARC member states is the establishment of the South Asian University in 2010. This international university offers postgraduate and doctoral programs across various disciplines, contributing to educational and academic development in the region.
6. SAARC Arbitration Council: As one of the Specialized Bodies of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the SAARC Arbitration Council is an inter-governmental entity authorized to provide a legal framework and forum within the region. It facilitates the fair and adequate settlement of industrial, commercial, trade, investment, banking, and other disputes referred to it by member states and their citizens.
7. South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO): SARSO is a specialized body focused on trade-related standards. It plays a critical role in coordinating these standards to support trade growth in South Asia and beyond. SARSO adopts the necessary tools and approaches to achieve its goals and those of SAARC.
8. Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): SAARC has introduced Confidence-Building Measures at the highest level, which have contributed to reducing conflicts in the region. Despite challenges posed by major regional players and economic structures, SAARC has continued to expand its reach, particularly in the realm of trade, demonstrating its resilience and commitment to regional cooperation.

Importance of SAARC for India

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) holds significant importance for India for several reasons:

1. Regional Demographics: SAARC member nations collectively occupy approximately 3% of the world’s land area and are home to 21% of the global population. With a combined GDP of around USD 3 trillion, it represents a substantial part of the world’s demographics and economic potential.
2. Shared Culture and Customs: SAARC nations share a common cultural heritage and customs. This cultural affinity fosters a sense of unity and understanding among member states.
3. Socio-economic Similarities: These countries exhibit similarities in socio-economic conditions, including aspects related to poverty, economic growth, health outcomes, and security. These common challenges and requirements provide a basis for cooperation and mutual support.

For India, the importance of SAARC lies in various aspects:

1. Regional Stability: Regional stability is crucial for India’s economic development. A stable neighbourhood is conducive to fostering economic and trade relations with neighbouring countries.
2. Counterbalancing Chinese Influence: India recognizes the need to mitigate Chinese influence in the region. China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project has sought to entice SAARC nations, posing a potential security threat to India. Encouraging these nations to reduce their reliance on China is vital for India’s security interests.
3. Leadership in South Asia: India aspires to emerge as a global power and considers leadership in the South Asian region integral to this goal. India’s status on the world stage is closely linked to its influence and leadership in South Asia, which aligns with its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy.
4. South Asia Satellite: The launch of the South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) by the Indian Space Research Organisation was not only a demonstration of India’s scientific capabilities but also carried geopolitical significance. This satellite, intended for the SAARC region, strengthens India’s position as a regional leader and promotes collaboration among member states in various fields, including communication and meteorology.

In summary, SAARC holds importance for India due to its regional significance, opportunities for cooperation, and its role in maintaining stability, countering external influences, and asserting regional leadership. India’s engagement in SAARC reflects its commitment to the well-being and development of the South Asian region.

Challenges Facing SAARC

While the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has made significant strides, it faces several notable challenges:

1. Ongoing Disputes: South Asia remains plagued by enduring disputes among member nations, and individual countries within the SAARC framework grapple with internal territorial conflicts.
2. India-Pakistan Rivalry: SAARC has become a battleground for rivalry between India and Pakistan. While India seeks to strengthen ties with other regional nations, Pakistan often exploits the platform to raise baseless concerns about Jammu and Kashmir, hindering constructive cooperation.
3. Obstruction of Agreements: Instances like the Motor Vehicles Agreement, which was set to be signed during the 2014 Kathmandu summit, faced last-minute objections from Pakistan, impeding regional progress.
4. Terrorism Concerns: Pakistan’s reluctance to effectively address terrorism issues hampers regional integration efforts. This unwillingness to combat terrorism remains a significant obstacle to cooperation within SAARC.
5. Trust and Suspicion: Some member nations harbour suspicions regarding India’s leadership, viewing it as exerting a “big brotherly” influence. This dynamic can strain cooperation and mutual trust.
6. Limited Trade Connectivity: Despite the potential for increased trade, the South Asian region remains one of the least connected in terms of trade, according to a report by the World Trade Organization (WTO). This lack of trade connectivity inhibits economic growth and cooperation within SAARC.

Overcoming these challenges is essential for the SAARC countries to unlock their full potential and strengthen regional collaboration. Addressing conflicts, fostering trust, and improving trade relations are crucial steps towards achieving the organization’s goals.

Policies and Recommendations

To further the objectives of SAARC and strengthen regional cooperation, the following policies and recommendations should be considered:

1. Priority on Growth and Development: Member countries should prioritize economic growth and comprehensive development. Stability and a cooperative security system are essential to address these challenges effectively.
2. Embrace South Asian Identity: SAARC reflects the natural geographical identity of South Asian countries, which share historical and contemporary ties. Cultural, linguistic, religious, and culinary affinities define this identity.
3. Enhance Cooperation: South Asian nations must increase cooperation to tackle common challenges like rising food and energy prices, recurring disasters, and climate change. Geographic, economic, cultural, and strategic reasons make cooperation essential.
4. Utilize Regional Advantages: South Asia has distinct advantages for cross-border cooperation in areas like infrastructure and services, providing opportunities for mutual growth.
5. Counterbalance Chinese Influence: In a region experiencing significant Chinese investments and loans, SAARC could serve as a platform for advocating more sustainable development alternatives, opposing trade tariffs, and demanding better terms for South Asian labour globally.
6. Promote Peace and Stability: The potential of SAARC to maintain peace and stability in the region should be explored by all member nations, enhancing regional security.
7. Foster People-to-People Contacts: SAARC should naturally progress to facilitate increased people-to-people contact and cultural cohesiveness among the quarter of the world’s population residing in South Asia.

These policies and recommendations can help SAARC members overcome challenges, strengthen cooperation, and unlock the organization’s potential for regional development and peace.

F.A.Q.

---