SAARC

Subject – IR

Context – Concerns over Afghanistan’s membership in SAARC arise.

Concept –

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in South Asia.
SAARC was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
SAARC comprises of eight Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Secretariat of the Association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.

Objectives

SAARC aims to promote economic growth, social progress and cultural development within the South Asia region. The objectives of SAARC, as defined in its charter, are as follows:
Promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life
Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region by providing all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and realise their full potential
Promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia
Contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems
Promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
Strengthen co-operation with other developing countries
Strengthen co-operation among themselves in international forms on matters of common interest; and
Cooperate with international and regional organisation with similar aims and purposes.

Structure and Process

Cooperation in SAARC is based on respect for the five principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs of the Member States and mutual benefit.
Regional cooperation is seen as a complement to the bilateral and multilateral relations of SAARC Member States.
SAARC Summits are held annually and the country hosting the Summit holds the Chair of the Association.
Decisions are made on an unanimity basis while bilateral and contentious issues are excluded from the deliberations of SAARC.
In addition to the eight Member States, nine Observer States join SAARC Summits: China, the US, Myanmar, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mauritius and the European Union.

Areas of Cooperation