What is SAARC?

• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia.
• The SAARC was founded in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
• Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration.
• The SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union.

Principles

• Respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interferencein the internal affairs of other States and mutual benefit.
• Such cooperation shall not be a substitute for bilateral and multilateral cooperation but shall complement them.
• Such cooperation shall not be inconsistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations.

Vision

• To be a Centre of Excellence for regional cooperation and specialized service delivery to Member States for Disaster Risk Reduction, Response and Recovery for Sustainable Development.

Member Nations

• SAARC comprises of eight member States:

1.Afghanistan (Latest to Join)

2.Bhutan

3.Bangladesh

4.India

5.Pakistan

6.Nepal

7.Sri Lanka

8.Maldives

Nine Observer States: Australia, China, European Union, Japan, Iran, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and United States.

Trick to Remember–MBBS PAIN-Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal

AREAS OF COOPERATION

• Human Resource Development and Tourism
• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Environment, Natural Disasters and Biotechnology
• Economic, Trade and Finance
• Social Affairs
• Information and Poverty Alleviation
• Energy, Transport, Science and Technology
• Education, Security and Culture and Others

OBJECTIVES

• Promote the welfare of the people of South Asia
• Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development
• Promote and strengthen collective self-reliance
• Contribute to mutual trust
• Promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
• Strengthen cooperation with other developing countries
• Strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests
• Cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes

PRINCIPAL ORGANS

• Meeting of Heads of State or Government
• Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries
• SAARC Secretariat established in Kathmandu 
• Secretariat comprises the secretary-general, seven directors, and the general services staff

SPECIALIZED BODIES

• SAARC Development Fund (SDF) consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Finance of the Member States.
• South Asian University (SAU) is an international university, located in India. 
• South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) has its Secretariat at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• SAARC Arbitration Council is an inter-governmental body having its office in Pakistan.
• The SAARC Secretariat is supported by Regional Centres established in the Member States to promote regional co-operation. 

Apex and Recognized Bodies

The SAARC has six Apex Bodies, they are;

• SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI),
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law(SAARCLAW),
• South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA),
• South Asia Foundation(SAF),
• South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC),
• Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)
• The SAARC also has about 18 recognized bodies
• The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Disaster Management Centre (SDMC-IU) has been set up at Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM) Campus, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.

SAARC: Importance & Achievements

• SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8%(US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy.
• It is the world’s most densely populated region and one of the most fertile areas.
• SAARC countries have common tradition, dress, food and culture and political aspects thereby synergizing their actions.
• All the SAARC countries have common problems and issues like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, natural disasters, internal conflicts, industrial and technological backwardness, low GDP and poor socio-economic condition and uplift their living standards.
• The member countries have established a Free Trade Area (FTA).
• South Asia Preferential Trading Agreement came into effect in 1995.
• SAARC University in India, a food bank and also an energy reserve in Pakistan.
• SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS) following the GATS-plus ‘positive list’ approach for trade in services liberalization.

SAARC & INDIA

• India Constitutes 70 % or more of SAARC area and population.
• India encompasses more than 75 percent of the region’s GDP.
• Can counter China (One Belt One Road initiative) through engaging Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka in development process and economic cooperation.
• It offers India a platform to showcase its leadership in the region by taking up extra responsibilities. (Through BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement etc)
• Game changer for India’s Act East Policy by linking South Asian economies with South East Asian will bring further economic integration and prosperity to India mainly in the Services Sector.
• India has taken several initiatives to improve bilateral relations with all the member countries without exception.
• India has also extended billions of dollars worth of lines of credit to her neighbours in the spirit of ” Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”.
• India’s emphasis is on three central themes of SAARC- trade, connectivity and people-to- people contact.
• India was the first country to reach out to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
• India’s trade with South Asia accounts for around 5.5% of its global trade.
• The tele-medicine project in Afghanistan offered by India runs successfully.
• India has been extending financial support to a number of cultural organizations working for regional integration.
• A SAARC Covid-19 Fund has been proposed with India committing US$10 million.

Challenges

• SAARC’s performance has been less than satisfactory.
• SAARC faced setback after the 19th summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2016 was suspended for an indefinite period.
• Numerous agreements have been signed and institutional mechanisms established under SAARC, but they have not been adequately implemented. The South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) is often highlighted as a prominent outcome of SAARC, but that, too, is yet to be implemented. 
• Lack of trust among the member countries has been the most significant factor between India and Pakistan.
• SAARC satellite project that India proposed was abandoned following objection from Pakistan in 2016.
• Faced obstacles in the area of security cooperation. Cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is a major concern for India.
• Other member countries perceive India as “Big Brother” and fear that it might use the SAARC to pursue hegemony in the region.
• India’s Citizenship Amendment Act is also creating unnecessary tensions with its neighbors, which in the long run may help China expand its influence in South Asian countries. 
• There is a new situation as a result of the abrogation of Article 370 relating to Kashmir, which has been denounced by Pakistan.
• Does not have any arrangement for resolving disputes or mediating conflicts.
• Member countries have turned to bilateralism.
• Faces a shortage of resources, and countries have been reluctant to increase their contributions.
• Lack of connectivity between different SAARC countries is another reason for the lackluster performance of SAARC so far.
• Pakistan has often vetoed the major initiatives proposed at SAARC. For example, SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement proposed at Kathmandu summit, 2014.
• 6.Chinese aggressive projects like the CPEC under Belt and Road Initiative or for that matter maritime expanse in the IOR ( Indian Ocean RIM) all seem to fall into China’s ” String of Pearls strategy ‘ geared to control Indian influence .
• China welcomed Maldives to jointly build 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives have supported the project, which includes Chittagong, Colombo and Hambantota ports, as well as a potential foothold in Maldives which will be a strategic challenge for India.
• Other organisations such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) came into the forefront.

Way Forward

• SAARC could be a common platform to demand more sustainable alternatives for development, or to oppose trade tariffs together, or to demand better terms for South Asian labour around the world.
• Operationalize agreements signed earlier. Growth in trade and commerce within the region is an extremely important step in this direction.
• The problems faced by the SAARC countries are similar and distinct from other regions. The solutions, therefore, are best found with mutual cooperation in the region.
• SAARC should be allowed to progress naturally and the people of South Asia, who make up a quarter of the world’s population should be offered more people-to-people contact.
• Impact of COVID-19 on regional trade and possible measures to mitigate it was seen as a new focus area for discussion in the larger framework of trade facilitation in the SAARC region.
• India to demonstrate its compassionate face to secure a region at peace with itself.
• SAARC to concentrate its activities in core identified areas and not lose its direction by getting involved in too many activities.
• The organisation must be reformed and member countries must reach a consensus regarding the changes required.