SAARC Full Form

SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, aims to promote economic advancement among its eight member nations Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAARC's objectives include fostering cooperation, economic growth, and cultural development. Despite representing significant global demographics, the region remains the least integrated economically.Challenges such as India-Pakistan tensions, Instability in the region and resource constraints hinder its effectiveness. The revival of SAARC is crucial for addressing shared challenges, unlocking economic potential, and fostering regional cooperation, aligning with India's strategic interests and commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy.

SAARC, or the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has faced challenges in developing common strategic outlooks, hindering progress and cooperation among member states. While the SAARC member nations collectively represent approximately 3% of the world's land area, 21% of its population, and 5% of the global economy (as of 2021) yet, according to the World Bank, South Asia remains the least integrated region globally. Intra-regional trade within SAARC countries accounts for less than 5% of total trade, in stark contrast to other regions such as ASEAN with 35% and Europe with 60%.

SAARC is a coalition of nations in South Asia created to foster mutual economic advancement. Its inception dates back to the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on December 8 ,1985. The SAARC secretariat is headquartered in Kathmandu. Its member countries comprise Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, SAARC has nine countries holding observer status: Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, the United States, and the European Union. Moreover, it maintains permanent diplomatic relations with the United Nations.

Key facts:

• Regarding the election of the Speaker, the Constitution of India mandates that the Speaker must be a member of the House, although specific qualifications are not explicitly outlined.
• Traditionally, the Speaker is elected from the ruling party, a process that has evolved over time. Typically, the ruling party nominates a candidate after informal consultations with leaders of other parties and groups in the House.
• The Speaker, along with the Deputy Speaker, is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House.

SAARC summits are attended by heads of state and government, and decisions within SAARC are made through consensus. While SAARC summits are typically held annually, there have been instances where summits did not occur in certain years.

• 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
• to provide all individuals the opportunity to live with dignity and to realize their full potential
• to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries and
• to cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

SAARC has achieved several milestonesaimed at fostering regional cooperation and development:

• South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA): SAFTA, signed in 2004, aims to reduce customs duties to 0% within a specified timeframe, ultimately aiming for an Economic Union akin to the European Union, promoting regional trade and economic integration.
• SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme: This initiative enables certain dignitaries to travel between SAARC nations without requiring visas, facilitating easier regional travel.
• South Asian University (SAU): Established in 2007 in New Delhi, SAU ensures recognition of degrees and certificates awarded by the institution on par with those from national universities/institutions, promoting higher education collaboration.
• SAARC Development Fund (SDF): The SDF primarily funds project-based collaborations, fostering development initiatives within the region.
• SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO): SARCO facilitates cost-effective arbitration for dispute resolution within the region, promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
• South Asian Regional Standards Organization: This organisation harmonizes standards and fosters cooperation in metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment, enhancing the technical capabilities of national institutions within the region.
• COVID-19 Emergency Fund: It was proposed by India and later on all the nations also contributed .The common fund was meant for purchasing the medical supplies and equipment urgently needed for tackling the COVID-19 outbreak in the region

SAARC has not convened a summit since the 18th Summit in 2014. The 19th SAARC summit, scheduled in Islamabad, was disrupted following India's decision not to participate after terrorist attacks on an Indian Army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, in September 2016, leading to its cancellation. Since then, Nepal has been organizing informal meetings of SAARC Foreign Ministers every year. The last one was hosted virtually by Kathmandu in September 2020 on the margins of the UNGA.

SAARC faces several challenges that hinder its effective functioning:

• Asymmetry between India and other members: India's larger size, economy, and geopolitical influence create an inherent power asymmetry within SAARC, which impacts decision-making and cooperation.
• India-Pakistan rivalry: Historical tensions and conflicts between India and Pakistan spill over into SAARC, affecting the organization's ability to achieve consensus and cooperation on regional issues.
• Lack of dispute resolution mechanisms: SAARC lacks effective mechanisms for resolving disputes among member states, leading to unresolved conflicts that impede progress.
• Internal instability in SAARC countries: Political, social, and economic instability within member states can hinder their ability to actively engage in SAARC initiatives and contribute to regional cooperation.
• Resource constraints: SAARC faces challenges related to limited financial resources and institutional capacity, which can restrict its ability to implement projects and initiatives effectively.
• Parallel Initiatives: Initiatives like BIMSTEC , BBIN ( Bangladesh , Bhutan , India and Nepal) have undermined SAARC's effectiveness as a regional cooperation platform.

BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organization formed in 1997 with the objective of enhancing economic and technical collaboration among nations situated around the Bay of Bengal.The headquarters is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It member include: Bangladesh ,Bhutan , India ,Myanmar , Nepal ,Sri Lanka ,Thailand

• Common Members: Both SAARC and BIMSTEC have common member countries, including India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Shared Objectives: Both organizations aim to promote cooperation in various fields such as economy, technology, social welfare, and culture among member nations.

• Free Trade Agreement: SAARC has a Free Trade Agreement in place, while BIMSTEC does not have one.
• Permanent Diplomatic Relations at the United Nations: SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations as an observer at the United Nations, whereas BIMSTEC does not have this status.
• Regional vs. Inter-regional Organization: SAARC is a regional organization consisting of eight South Asian countries, while BIMSTEC is an inter-regional organization comprising five members from South Asia and two from Southeast Asia.
• Mutual Mistrust: SAARC faces challenges due to mutual mistrust among its members, especially between India and Pakistan. In contrast, member states of BIMSTEC generally have cordial relations among them, which facilitates cooperation within the organization.

BIMSTEC is not a parallel organization to SAARC. BIMSTEC serves as a bridge for cooperation between South Asian countries and Southeast Asian countries, while SAARC focuses solely on cooperation among South Asian countries. Additionally, BIMSTEC is not equipped to handle security concerns such as the threat of terrorism from specific countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, as its scope and mandate are primarily focused on economic and technical cooperation. On the other hand, SAARC has mechanisms to address security issues within the South Asian region, provided that member countries are willing to address such concerns collectively.

The need for the revival of the SAARC is underscored by a myriad of reasons. SAARC member countries, sharing common challenges such as poverty, terrorism, and the impacts of climate change, necessitate a collective approach for effective solutions. Additionally, the shared identity rooted in culture, language, and cuisine among SAARC nations highlights the potential for cultural exchanges and greater collaboration. Economically, South Asia remains the least integrated region, emphasizing the crucial role of SAARC in unlocking economic potential and fostering trade and investment opportunities. While BIMSTEC complements regional cooperation efforts, it cannot fully replace the unique role of SAARC in fostering collaboration among South Asian nations. Moreover, SAARC serves as a central pillar of India's Neighbourhood First policy, aligning with India's strategic interests and commitment to regional development. The resurgence of SAARC is also significant for India-Afghanistan relations, providing an alternative platform for engagement amid evolving diplomatic dynamics.