Thanks to visit codestin.com
Credit goes to www.scribd.com

Scribd
Upload
5 views3 pages

Politics of SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) faces significant political challenges, including the India-Pakistan rivalry, decision-making by consensus, and a lack of strong institutional frameworks. Despite these obstacles, there are prospects for enhanced regional cooperation through initiatives like SAFTA, provided member states prioritize collective interests. The effectiveness of SAARC hinges on resolving geopolitical conflicts and fostering confidence among its members.

Uploaded by

victoriousuapp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views3 pages

Politics of SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) faces significant political challenges, including the India-Pakistan rivalry, decision-making by consensus, and a lack of strong institutional frameworks. Despite these obstacles, there are prospects for enhanced regional cooperation through initiatives like SAFTA, provided member states prioritize collective interests. The effectiveness of SAARC hinges on resolving geopolitical conflicts and fostering confidence among its members.

Uploaded by

victoriousuapp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Politics of SAARC: Challenges and Prospects

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 to
promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation among its eight member states: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Despite its potential for
regional integration, SAARC has struggled with political challenges that have hindered its
effectiveness.

Political Challenges in SAARC

1. India-Pakistan Rivalry

The long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, especially over Kashmir, have often
stalled SAARC’s progress. Political disputes have led to postponed summits and lack of
cooperation in major regional initiatives.

2. Decision-Making by Consensus

SAARC operates on the principle of unanimity, meaning that any country can block a decision.
This slows down progress, as political disagreements frequently prevent regional policies from
being implemented effectively.

3. Lack of Strong Institutional Framework

Unlike the European Union (EU) or ASEAN, SAARC lacks strong institutions to enforce decisions.
The SAARC Secretariat has limited authority, making regional agreements difficult to
implement.

4. China’s Growing Influence

Although China is not a full member, its increasing economic ties with Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri
Lanka have influenced regional politics. Some SAARC members favor Chinese engagement,
while others, particularly India, view it with suspicion.

5. Security and Terrorism Concerns

Issues like cross-border terrorism, insurgencies, and radical extremism have created mistrust
among member states. Security concerns have overshadowed economic cooperation, further
weakening SAARC’s effectiveness.

Prospects for SAARC

Despite these challenges, SAARC has the potential to promote regional trade, economic
cooperation, and connectivity. Initiatives like SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) and
regional connectivity projects can boost economic integration if political tensions are managed.
However, for SAARC to be effective, member states must prioritize regional interests over
bilateral conflicts, strengthen institutional mechanisms, and promote confidence-building
measures.

Conclusion

The politics of SAARC remain dominated by geopolitical rivalries and national interests, making
regional cooperation difficult. Unless political conflicts, especially between India and Pakistan,
are resolved, SAARC will continue to struggle in achieving its full potential as a regional
organization.

You might also like