Saarc

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(South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) 04/20/09

About SAARC • The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in Southern Asia. In terms of population, its sphere of influence is the largest of any regional organization: almost 1.5 billion people.  SAARC provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in the spirit understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in Member States. 04/20/09

History • Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman first mooted the idea in the 1970's for creation of a trade bloc, consisting of South Asian countries. The Foreign Secretaries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981.  The Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation was adopted by the Foreign Ministers in 1983 in New Delhi. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was established, 04/20/09

Member States • India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan form the principle Member States of the association. Afghanistan was added to the regional grouping at the behest of India on November 13, 2005, and became a member on April 3, 2007. With the addition of Afghanistan, the total number of member states were raised 04/20/09

Flags of member countries

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Observers Members •Australia •China •European Union •Iran •Japan •Mauritius •Myanmar (Burma) •South Korea 04/20/09

Future membership

•

China

(supported by Pakistan and

Bangladesh)

Russia

(supported by India)

•

Iran

•

Mayanmar

(supported by India)

South Africa 04/20/09

SAARC Secretariat

• The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987. • The Secretariat comprises the Secretary General, seven Directors and the General Services Staff. 04/20/09

Role of Secretariat • Its role is to coordinate and monitor the implementation of SAARC activities. • Service the meetings of the Association and serve as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organisations. • The Secretariat has also been increasingly utilised as the venue for 04/20/09

Objectives of SAARC • To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life. • To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential; • To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia. • To contribute to mutual trust, understand and appreciation of one another's problem; • To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields; • To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries; • 04/20/09 To strengthen cooperation among themselves in

Area of Cooperation • At the inception of the Association, the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) consisting of a number of Technical Committees (TCs) was identified as the core areas of cooperation.  The current areas of cooperation under the reconstituted Regional Integrated Programme of Action covers the following areas: Agriculture and Rural Development Women, Youth and Children Environment and Forestry Science and Technology and Meteorology 04/20/09 Human Resources Development

Provisions • Decisions at all levels in SAARC are to be taken on the basis of unanimity; and • Bilateral and contentious issues are to be excluded from the deliberations of the Association.

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Principals • Cooperation within the framework of the Association shall be based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in 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. 04/20/09

Political issue • SAARC has intentionally laid more stress on "core issues" mentioned above rather than more decisive political issues like the Kashmir dispute and the Sri Lankan civil war. However, political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings. • SAARC has also refrained itself from interfering in the internal matters of its member states. • During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extreme emphasis was laid upon greater 04/20/09

Ineffectivenes s • SAARC's inability to play a crucial role in integrating South Asia is often credited to the political and military rivalry between India and Pakistan. It is due to these economic, political, and territorial disputes that South Asian nations have not been able to harness the benefits of a unified economy. • Over the years, SAARC's role in South Asia has been greatly diminished and is now used as a mere platform for annual talks and meetings between its 04/20/09

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By :NAYAN Sec- “A” PGDM