MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

POLITICAL SCIENCE III

FINAL DRAFT

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Submitted to : Prof. Varada Sambhus

Submitted by: Saurabh Misal

Enrolment no:-2017046
Introduction 3

History 3

Salient Features of the Organisation Secretariat 4

Effects of Conflicts on Regionalism in South Asia 4

Capability of SAARC to resolve a dispute 6

Contribution of India towards SAARC 7

Conflict Resolution 7

FUTURE OF SAARC 8

Why SAARC has been a failure? 9

I. Clash of civilizations 9

II. Internal Threat 9

III. Pathetic condition of the south Asia 9

IV. Trade 9

V. Different Political system 10

Conclusion 10

Bibliography 11

2
Introduction
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organisation of South Asian
nations, which was established on 8 December 1985 when the government of Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka formally adopted its charter providing for the
promotion of economic and social progress, cultural development within the South Asia region and
also for friendship and cooperation with other developing countries. It is dedicated to economic,
technological, social, and cultural development emphasising collective self-reliance. Its seven
founding members are India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. They
formally adopted its charter providing for the promotion of economic and social progress, cultural
development within the South Asia region and also for friendship and cooperation with other
developing countries. Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007. Meetings of heads of state are
usually scheduled annually; meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually. It is headquartered in
Kathmandu, Nepal.1
The SAARC Secretariat has established various regional centres in member states. Each regional
centre is managed by a governing board. The GB has representatives of each of the member state
and SAARC Secretariat. 2
The SAARC Secretariat is supported by following Regional Centres established in Member States
to promote regional cooperation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising
representatives from all the Member States, SAARC Secretary-General and the Ministry of Foreign/
External Affairs of the Host Government. The Director of the Centre acts as Member Secretary to
the Governing Board which reports to the Programming Committee.3
History
The first concrete proposal for establishing a framework for regional cooperation in South Asia was
made by the late president of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, on May 2, 1980. Prior to this, the idea of
regional cooperation in South Asia was discussed in at least three conferences:
1. The Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in April 1947
2. The Baguio Conference in the Philippines in May 1950
3. The Colombo Powers Conference in April 1954

1 "SAARC: Main Objectives of SAARC." Your Article Library. May 17, 2014. Accessed August 10, 2018. http://
www.yourarticlelibrary.com/economics/trade-economics/saarc-main-objectives-of-saarc/40408.
2 SAARC SECRETARIAT. Accessed August 10, 2018. http://saarc-sec.org/about-saarc-secretariat.
3 SAARC SECRETARIAT. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://www.saarc-sec.org/.
3
In the late 1970s, SAARC nations agreed upon the creation of a trade block consisting of South
Asian countries. The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was again mooted in May 1980.
The foreign secretaries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. The
Committee of the Whole, which met in Colombo in August 1985, identified five broad areas for
regional cooperation. New areas of cooperation were added in the following years:-
Afghanistan was added to the regional grouping on 13 November 2005 which raised the total
number of member states to eight. In April 2006, the United States of America and South Korea
made formal requests to be granted observer status. The European Union has also indicated interest
in being given observer status, and made a formal request for the same to the SAARC Council of
Ministers meeting in July, 2006. On 2nd August, 2006 the foreign ministers of the SAARC
countries agreed in principle to grant observer status to the US, South Korea and the European
Union. On 4 March 2008, Iran requested observer status. Followed shortly by the entrance of
Mauritius.4

Salient Features of the Organisation Secretariat

The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu. It coordinates and monitors implementation of
activities, prepares for and services meetings, and serves as a channel of communication between
the Association and its member states as well as other regional organisations.
The Secretary General, who is appointed by the Council of Ministers from member countries in
alphabetical order for a three-year term, heads the Secretariat. Mr. Q.A.M.A. Rahim from
Bangladesh is the current Secretary General. The previous Secretaries Generals were from
Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The next Secretary General is to be
from Bhutan. Seven Directors on deputation from member states assist the Secretary General. The
SAARC Secretariat and member states observe 8 December as the SAARC Charter Day. 5

Effects of Conflicts on Regionalism in South Asia

Conflict means a difference or dispute between two or more countries that if exits can damage
regional or international peace. Conflict is an active disagreement between people with opposing

4 International Democracy Watch. Accessed September 10, 2018. http://www.internationaldemocracywatch.org/

index.php/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-.
5 “SAARC: UNIQUE FEATURE." Cover. Accessed September 10, 2018. http://www.pakistaneconomist.com/
issue1999/issue28/etc3.htm.
4
opinions or principles or two or more groups of people or countries.6 The Indian size and strength is
raising suspicions in its neighbours. They think that it would dominate and interfere in their internal
affairs. As such, the member countries of SAARC find out side security assistance and alliances. It
is often observed that the policies of the member countries are influenced by their fear from India.
They visualize that interdependence can lessen their autonomy and bargaining power.
SAARC has not been successful in creating peace and harmony in the region. The organization is
imbalanced by grave conflicts. These conflicts keep the member states hesitant to cooperation. The
member countries have consumed a long time in accommodating the mutual suspicions and their
behaviour exposes rather antagonism than cordiality. The basic weakness of the organization lies in
its mechanism which excludes the discussions on contentious issues. The member states till fails to
create an environment of cooperation and cordiality and their relations are characterized by varying
conflicts.7
The researcher has categorized these conflicts into four categories:
- Territorial conflicts;
- Cross border terrorism;
- Conflicts over natural resources; and
- Conflicts related to immigration of refugees.

CO-OPERATION TROUBLES BETWEEN INDIA AND SAARC MEMBERS


SAARC is structured in a way that often makes regional cooperation difficult. In the case of
SAARC, India is the most powerful country in terms of its economic might, military power and
international influence. Thus, India’s potential as a regional hegemony gives SAARC a unique
dynamic compared to an organization such as ASEAN. Pakistan was initially reluctant to join
SAARC due to fears of SAARC succumbing to Indian hegemony. Indeed, if India does take a
prominent role in SAARC, it could further fears that India will use SAARC for hegemonic
purposes. While the smaller states in South Asia recognise that they will need India’s help to
facilitate faster economic growth, they are reluctant to work with India, fearing that such
cooperation will admit Indian dominance in SAARC.

rd
6 Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary (3 Edition).
7 Bhatia, Rajiv. "Despite Their Conflicts, South Asian Nations Won't Talk to Each Other." Quartz. November 24, 2017.
Accessed September 10, 2018. https://qz.com/india/1137101/despite-their-many-conflicts-south-asian-nations-arent-
talking-to-each-other/.
5
Aside from a few overtures to its neighbours, India has done little to allay the fears of other South
Asian states. The core of these fears is likely derived from the displays of India’s power by New
Delhi in the past. Realizing its considerable advantage in military and economic power, India has
consistently acted in an “arrogant and uncompromising” manner with its neighbours. Bangladesh is
afraid of India exploiting its geographical position to redirect water flows vital to Bangladeshi
agricultural production. Nepal and Bhutan are still worried about India’s control over their world
trade and transit links as their geographical position will always make them dependent on India.
These disputes between India and its neighbours have directly affected SAARC.8

Capability of SAARC to resolve a dispute

Namely, disputes between South Asian states have undermined SAARC efforts to promote regional
trade. These disagreements make consensus building and cooperation among SAARC states
complicated. Attempting to promote regional cooperation while doing little to resolve regional
conflicts makes SAARC’S mission looks nearly impossible. Moreover, SAARC has no institutional
mechanisms or punishments capable of preventing or fully resolving a dispute. Two examples
illustrate how conflicts in South Asia have proven detrimental to SAARC.9
- The first involves Indian intervention in Sri Lanka from 1986-1990. The Indian military
intervention to put down an insurgency by The Liberation Tigers of Tamil-E-Elam made Indo-Sri
Lankan relations tense during these four years. Subsequently, the apprehension between India
and Sri Lanka was considered a primary reason behind Sri Lanka’s “lukewarm” support for
SAARC into economic and social spheres of its member states until relations improved with
India.10
- A second, more prominent example of a conflict derailing SAARC progress is the Indo-Pakistani
conflict. Pakistan has demanded a resolution to its dispute with India over the Kashmir Valley
before discussing trade relations with New Delhi. Pakistan has enforced this policy by violating
WTO regulation for failing to confer Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status on India.11

8 Gurjar, Sankalp. "Is SAARC Doomed?" The Diplomat. April 01, 2017. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://
thediplomat.com/2017/04/is-saarc-doomed/.
9 "Settlement of Political Disputes Stressed: Saarc Ministerial Session Opens." DAWN.COM. July 21, 2004. Accessed
September 10, 2018. https://www.dawn.com/news/365188.
10 Hariharan, R. "A Tale of Two Interventions." The Hindu. July 27, 2012. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://
www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-tale-of-two-interventions/article3693348.ece.
11 Hunt, Katie. "India and Pakistan's Kashmir Dispute: What You Need to Know." CNN. September 27, 2017. Accessed
September 10, 2018. https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/30/asia/kashmir-explainer/index.html.
6
Contribution of India towards SAARC
India has recently attempted to improve its relationship with the rest of South Asia. Under the
Gujral Doctrine established by former Indian Prime Minister I.K Gujral, India signed a 30-year
water sharing treaty with Bangladesh and a trade and transit treaty with Nepal. India also joined a
sub regional group within SAARC comprising of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India. Despite
political impediments to trade, value of goods smuggled from India to Pakistan via a third party
generally totals 250-500 million per year. If trade between the states was opened, Pakistan would
receive cheaper imports due to lower transport costs and the absence of payments to a middleman.
This implies that there is potential for lucrative trade between India and Pakistan. Moreover, if these
two states, arguably the largest powers in SAARC, pushed for economic cooperation, it is likely
that other states will follow their lead. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Indo- Pakistani dispute
over Kashmir is considered a primary cause of SAARC’S importance.
Due to these conflicts, the desire for South Asian states to trade with one another has been limited.
By squelching trade between South Asian states, the disagreements between India and its neighbors
have limited the effectiveness of SAARC trading initiatives. The South Asian Preferential Trading
Agreement (SAPTA) signed in December 1995 had SAARC countries reduce tariffs in certain
economic areas to promote intra regional trade. The proposal was initially met with enthusiasm as
India agreed to reduce tariffs in 106 of the 226 fields recommended by SAARC and Pakistan agreed
to concessions in 35 fields.

Conflict Resolution
Pakistan and India have conflicts over Siachen, Sir Creek, Kargil and Kashmir. Kashmir is regarded
the bone of contention between India and Pakistan. This issue has led them towards active wars,
proxy wars and hot line issues. Pakistan and Afghanistan have been uneasy about Durand Line since
1947. Afghanistan is blaming Pakistan for infiltration and state of war on her land. Pakistan has
suspicions over the inflow of terrorist from Afghanistan into her tribal built and Baluchistan. India
and Bangladesh have disputes over common borders and maritime boundaries. Bangladesh has
reservations over India in her ethnic disparities. The debilitating effects of these rivalries have been
substantial, and determine the course of Regionalism in south Asia
The regional players have been seen busy in settling the disputes over the distributions of natural
resources. The distribution of water resources under Radcliffe award created troubles between India

7
and Pakistan. The succeeding events led to Indus Water Treaty (IWT) agreement which made the
distribution a fair deal.12
Just after independence both Pakistan and India had to face the problem of refugees’ settlement.
This mass migration created ethnic, linguistics and identity problems in both the countries. Other
are problems exist between Bangladesh and India. India demands Bangladesh to stop illegal
immigration of Bengalis into its territory.13
These developments disturb the routine business of the organization and create disharmony in the
region. The eleventh SAARC summit was held after three years of postponement. The event was
hijacked by the Kargil issue between India and Pakistan. All this happened because of India’s
unwillingness. Pakistan strongly denounced the Indian postponement and held her responsible for
the breach of established norms of inter-state relations.
The organization will be less responsive to regional cooperation or a more balanced
interdependence until the intensifying and persistent conflicts continue to dominate the relations of
South Asian States.
There is a generalization in the SAARC quarters to include bilateral and contentious issues in
SAARC agenda. It has been observed that sometimes the delegations of small member countries
raise their bilateral issues during summit meetings. Sri Lanka on many occasions during SAARC
meeting has raised her concerns with India on ethnic issues. Sri Lanka in 1987 expressed her
resentment on India‟s unilateral action of air-dropped relief supplies in the Jaffna province (Gopal,
1996, pp. 260-61). The Sri Lanka foreign minister suggests evaluation of a mechanism which would
provide space for secrete foreign ministerial level meetings where contentious issues would be
discussed. SAARC must not end up as deaf, dumb and blind association (Gopal, 1996).

FUTURE OF SAARC
The future of SAARC seems to have been vanished. The reason is that the culture of the member
countries is not same, the people to people contact is very limited and major reason is India’s
attitude towards the member countries. The reason is that the relations between the member
countries is not good, the don’t cooperate with each other and the main reason is India.

12 "India, Pakistan to Resume Talks on Indus Waters Treaty in Lahore This Week." The Economic Times. August 27,
2018. Accessed September 09, 2018. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pakistan-to-
continue-water-talks-with-india-this-week/articleshow/65557134.cms.
13 Tripathi, Sanjeev. "Illegal Immigration From Bangladesh to India: Toward a Comprehensive Solution." Carnegie
India. Accessed September 09, 2018. https://carnegieindia.org/2016/06/29/illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-to-
india-toward-comprehensive-solution-pub-63931.
8
Why SAARC has been a failure?14
I. Clash of civilizations
India and Pakistan are foes of each other, they fight on pity things, and then how can these two
countries help each other in one association. The one country does not have feeling of belonging
with the other area or state.

II. Internal Threat

SAARC, as stated before, was a wholly indigenous project and not initiated by a foreign power. It
was also not caused by the menace of an outside hegemonic power. However, the bitter reality is
that the hegemony is not outside the SAARC but inside it. India is the largest member of SAARC
and dominates the South Asian region due to its size and population. It borders nearly every landed
member except for Afghanistan and is the nearest to the island members of Sri Lanka and Maldives.
This makes India the local hegemony or the “core state” in the words of Barry Buzan. India has
used its power to forward its hegemonic designs often at the expense of the SAARC. The recent
postponement of the Islamabad SAARC conference through Indian machinations is an example of
how SAARC has paid the price for Indian ambitions.

III. Pathetic condition of the south Asia

260 million inhabitants of the south Asia lack basic facilities in south Asia and it the most deprived
region too. 337 million people lack safe drinking water, 830 million are without rudimentary
sanitation and 400 million go hungry every day. SAARC is the most militarized place in world; its
two countries Pakistan and India are spending $30 billion on their defence expense. Afghanistan,
it’s newly member is facing war from last 30 years. In view of these all major problems how such
association can successfully work.

IV. Trade
All the south Asian countries look up to India to share it s huge markets because of its size and
location, where 80% of the of the intra-regional trade in south Asia is to or from India. India blames
the failure of SAFTA on Pakistan but its not true at all because SAFTA requires India, Pakistan and

14 "Implacable Failures of the SAARC." Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research. November 01, 2017.
Accessed September 10, 2018. https://cscr.pk/explore/themes/politics-governance/implacable-failures-of-the-saarc/.
9
Sri Lanka to bring their duties down to 20% in the two year period ending in 2007. The 20% duty in
the final phase ending in 2012 will be reduced to zero.
During the fiscal period of 2006-2007, the exports of India were in billion dollars but their imports
were no more than $350 million. This shows that that how one country wants to put the others duty
to 0.15

V. Different Political system

The different kind of politics in the member states is also the reason of the failure of SAARC. In
south Asia their hadn’t been a strong democratic region. Like in India there is democracy, in
Pakistan there is transitional democracy, kingship in Nepal and presidential system in Sri Lanka.
The most countries have remained unstable in the past and the future. The dispute between the two
countries India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue has never let these two giant countries of the south
Asia to go along well and set aside their differences on the SAARC forum.
A part from this the India has dome disputes with its rest of the member countries like Pakistan ,
Bangladesh , Nepal , Bhutan , and this thing also hasn’t helped SAARC cause.16

Conclusion
Though the formation of SAARC is a landmark step taken by the leaders of the region, the main
rational behind its establishment is to develop a congenial environment through summit diplomacy
where all nations may interact peacefully with each other, cultivate sustainable peace and promote
mutual economic well being by harnessing available resources in the region through the peaceful
process of economic integration. The political tensions and conflicts surrounding the countries of a
South Asia pose a question of uncertainty and challenge to the formation of South Asian Union. In
order to achieve the objectives the SAARC would have to evolve into a full-fledged “regional
entity” that can cultivate peace in the region. The realization of durable peace and the future of
economic integration through SAARC depend upon the ability and interest of South Asian leaders
to resolve domestic as well as long-standing differences through peaceful deliberations.

15 Mantraya. "Failure of Institutionalised Cooperation in South Asia." Mantraya. September 05, 2016. Accessed
September 10, 2018. http://mantraya.org/failure-of-institutionalised-cooperation-in-south-asia/.
16 "SAARC Failed To Achieve Its Potential Because of Pakistan's 'Obstructionism', Says Govt." News18. January 05,
2018. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://www.news18.com/news/india/saarc-failed-to-achieve-its-potential-because-
of-pakistans-obstructionism-says-govt-1623309.html.
10
India being an important member of the group should initiate steps to ensure that the nations go
beyond the rhetoric and make the Summit meaningful in the future. Creation of Export Promotion
Zones and Special Economic Zones in each SAARC member country as pointed out by industry
bodies will enhance investments between them and will thus encourage Intra- SAARC investments.
The Indian government has to understand that the export-import community needs easier movement
of goods, services, and people within the member nations. India should also maintain peace and
take proper and appropriate steps to resolve disputes and solve issues amongst the SAARC
members especially with Pakistan. According to Prof. Nageswara Rao, instead of deliberating on
mutual understanding and cooperation, for which SAARC had been formed, the member-countries
were trying to pull the other down at international forums.


Bibliography
• I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e m o c r a c y Wa t c h A c c e s s e d S e p t e m b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 8 . h t t p : / / .
www.internationaldemocracywatch.org/index.php/south-asian-association-for-regional-
cooperation-.

• Bhatia, Rajiv. "Despite Their Conflicts, South Asian Nations Won't Talk to Each Other." Quartz.
November 24, 2017. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://qz.com/india/1137101/despite-their-
many-conflicts-south-asian-nations-arent-talking-to-each-other/.
• Gurjar, Sankalp. "Is SAARC Doomed?" The Diplomat. April 01, 2017. Accessed September 10,
2018. https://thediplomat.com/2017/04/is-saarc-doomed/.
• Hariharan, R. "A Tale of Two Interventions." The Hindu. July 27, 2012. Accessed September 10,
2018. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-tale-of-two-interventions/article3693348.ece.
• Hunt, Katie. "India and Pakistan's Kashmir Dispute: What You Need to Know." CNN. September
27, 2017. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/30/asia/kashmir-
explainer/index.html.
• "Implacable Failures of the SAARC." Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research.
November 01, 2017. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://cscr.pk/explore/themes/politics-
governance/implacable-failures-of-the-saarc/.
• ”India, Pakistan to Resume Talks on Indus Waters Treaty in Lahore This Week." The Economic
Times. August 27, 2018. Accessed September 09, 2018. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
news/politics-and-nation/pakistan-to-continue-water-talks-with-india-this-week/articleshow/
65557134.cms.

11
• "SAARC: UNIQUE FEATURE." Cover. Accessed September 10, 2018. http://
www.pakistaneconomist.com/issue1999/issue28/etc3.htm.
• "Settlement of Political Disputes Stressed: Saarc Ministerial Session Opens." DAWN.COM. July
21, 2004. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://www.dawn.com/news/365188.

• Tripathi, Sanjeev. "Illegal Immigration From Bangladesh to India: Toward a Comprehensive

Solution." Carnegie India. Accessed September 09, 2018. https://carnegieindia.org/2016/06/29/
illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-to-india-toward-comprehensive-solution-pub-63931.
• SAARC SECRETARIAT. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://www.saarc-sec.org/.
• SAARC SECRETARIAT. Accessed August 10, 2018. http://saarc-sec.org/about-saarc-secretariat.
• "SAARC: Main Objectives of SAARC." Your Article Library. May 17, 2014. Accessed August
10, 2018. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/economics/trade-economics/saarc-main-objectives-
of-saarc/40408.
• "SAARC Failed To Achieve Its Potential Because of Pakistan's 'Obstructionism', Says Govt."
News18. January 05, 2018. Accessed September 10, 2018. https://www.news18.com/news/india/
saarc-failed-to-achieve-its-potential-because-of-pakistans-obstructionism-says-
govt-1623309.html.
• Mantraya. "Failure of Institutionalised Cooperation in South Asia." Mantraya. September 05,
2016. Accessed September 10, 2018. http://mantraya.org/failure-of-institutionalised-cooperation-
in-south-asia/.

12