South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

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 South Asian Association for Regional

 Cooperation (SAARC)

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional intergovernmental organization that was established on December 8, 1985, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. SAARC was created to promote regional cooperation among the countries of South Asia, which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The idea of creating SAARC emerged in the early 1980s when the leaders of the South Asian countries recognized the need for increased cooperation in the region. They felt that by working together, they could promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve the overall quality of life in the region.

SAARC operates on the principle of consensus, meaning that all decisions are made through mutual agreement and consultation among the member states. The organization has a number of institutions and bodies that work towards achieving its objectives. These include the SAARC Secretariat, the SAARC Programming Committee, the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the SAARC Development Fund.

Membership in SAARC is open to any sovereign state in South Asia. As of 2021, SAARC has eight member states. Afghanistan became a member in 2007, making it the newest member of the organization.

The primary objective of SAARC is to promote regional cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and technology. The organization also aims to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people contact among the member states. SAARC's vision is to create a stable, prosperous, and peaceful South Asia where people can enjoy a better quality of life.

SAARC has a number of rules and procedures that govern its functioning. The organization has a Charter that outlines its objectives, principles, and organizational structure. The Charter also provides for the establishment of various bodies and institutions to promote regional cooperation. SAARC operates on the basis of consensus, meaning that all decisions are made through mutual agreement and consultation among the member states.

The cost of membership in SAARC varies from country to country. Each member state is required to contribute to the organization's budget based on its economic size and population. The contribution is calculated as a percentage of the member state's gross national income (GNI). SAARC also receives funding from other sources such as international organizations and donor countries.

Over the years, SAARC has made significant progress in promoting regional cooperation among its member states. The organization has signed several agreements and protocols to promote trade, investment, and other forms of economic cooperation. SAARC has also established a number of institutions and bodies to facilitate cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, energy, and technology.

However, SAARC has faced a number of challenges in achieving its objectives. One of the main challenges has been the lack of political will among some member states to work towards greater regional cooperation. In addition, SAARC has also faced criticism for its slow pace of progress and the limited scope of its activities.

In conclusion, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional intergovernmental organization that was established in 1985 to promote regional cooperation among the countries of South Asia. The organization has eight member states and operates on the principle of consensus. SAARC aims to promote regional cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and technology. The organization has made significant progress over the years, but it still faces a number of challenges in achieving its objectives.

SAARC's activities are mainly focused on economic and social development in the region. The organization has signed several agreements and protocols to promote trade and investment among its member states. These agreements include the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), which came into effect in 2006, and the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment, which was signed in 2016.

SAARC also has institutions and bodies that work towards achieving its objectives. These institutions include the SAARC Secretariat, which is responsible for coordinating and implementing SAARC's activities, and the SAARC Programming Committee, which oversees the implementation of SAARC's programs and projects.

In addition to promoting economic cooperation, SAARC also aims to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people contact among its member states. The organization has established a number of institutions to promote cultural cooperation, including the SAARC Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural activities and exchanges among the member states, and the SAARC Writers and Literary Council, which promotes literary activities in the region.

Despite its many achievements, SAARC has faced criticism for its slow pace of progress and the limited scope of its activities. Some critics argue that the organization has not been able to achieve its objectives due to the lack of political will among some member states. Others argue that SAARC's activities are too limited in scope and that the organization needs to do more to promote regional cooperation in other areas such as security and defense.

In recent years, SAARC has also faced a number of challenges due to tensions between some of its member states. For example, relations between India and Pakistan, two of the largest and most influential member states, have been strained due to various disputes, including the issue of Kashmir. This has made it difficult for SAARC to make progress in some areas of cooperation.

In conclusion, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has played an important role in promoting regional cooperation and economic development in South Asia. The organization has achieved significant progress over the years, but it still faces a number of challenges in achieving its objectives. Despite these challenges, SAARC remains an important regional organization that has the potential to promote greater cooperation and integration among the countries of South Asia.

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