Why Should SAARC Be Revitalised

The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (CAARC) is the only regional organisation in South Asia which has a historical legitimacy, recognisable organisational framework, international recognition and ideology of regionalism. Regionalism is a concept which envisions structuring political, economic and social policies on a regional basis.  Putting South Asia under a regional union was first conceptualised in 1970s as a tool for socio-cultural integration and collective prosperity. This idea was based on the successful experience of regional organisations like European Economic Community (EEC) which later progressed to become European Union, Organisation of Petroleum exporting Countries (OPEC) and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

The credit for concretising the conceptual vision for a regional organisation in South Asia goes to former president of Bangladesh Ziaur Rehman who proposed to establish such a regional body which could integrate the region, create collective dynamics for economic development and foster cultural, technological and scientific cooperation between the member states. On the basis of his proposal, the SAARC came into existence on December 8, 1985 with the signature on the SAARC Charter by the heads of state or governments of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives and Afghanistan joined this organisation increasing its membership strength to eight.

Lofty objectives

The SAARC process had started with lofty objectives of dedicating itself to the welfare of the people of South Asia, promoting collective self-reliance and foster collaboration and assistance in the economic, cultural, technological and scientific fields. During its initial years, it scored tremendous progress in providing a sound structural basis to the organization.  A SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu, SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) was established in India, SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC) was established in Bangladesh, SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) was set up in Sri Lanka, SAARC Energy Centre (SEC) was established in Pakistan, SAARC Document Centre (SDC) was set up in Delhi and SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV /AIDS Centre (STAC) was set up in Kathmandu. These infrastructures were of historic importance and their existence and continued operation, even during SAARC's present state of uncertainty, provide a strong basis for its potential revitalisation for the common good of the 1.97 billion people of South Asia. 

During the early decades following its founding, the SAARC launched quite a few programmes to promote economic integration and exchanges on culture, technologies and science. Initiatives were also taken to promote regional trade partnership and connectivity. In this respect creation of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement (SAPTA) constitute important steps to foster inter-regional trade and cooperation. Similarly, the effort towards creating SAARC Development Fund, regional multimodal transport infrastructure and the setting up of South Asian University in Delhi could have been game changing achievements. However, they have not been materialised yet for lack of will power, conflict and mistrust between SAARC member nations, logistical difficulties and absence of adequate resources. 

South Asian countries are bound together by destiny despite being separated by international borders. They share common, cultures, way of life rooted in the value system of oriental philosophy. The people of South Asia draw their life sustenance from the hydrological cycle between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean. These countries are geographically close from each other and naturally foster interdependence. They share common historical heritages defined by shared religion, languages and cultures.

Apart from SAARC, other sub-regional institutions have also been set up to foster cooperation on specific areas of development. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Initiative (BBIN) are two important institutions which are operational at sub-regional level to complement to the present state of uncertainty of the SAARC. BIMSTEC is promoting trade and investment, technology, energy, tourism and connectivity among the countries located along the rim of the Bay of Bengal. Similarly, BBIN fosters cooperation in the area of trade, transit, energy and people to people connectivity. Similarly, South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) aims at promoting cross border infrastructure, trade and economic cooperation.

SAARC has not been able to convene its highest level meeting since its 18th summit conference held in Kathmandu in 2014. It was due to escalation of tension between India and Pakistan. The 19th summit was scheduled to take place in Islamabad. But it was postponed because of the refusal by India and some other member countries to participate in the summit.  Apart from differences among member countries, SAARC's dysfunction is also associated with certain clauses of the SAARC Charter, which require consensus among members to make a decision. In an organisation, with such diversity in religious, cultural and ethnic composition, reaching consensus in major socio-cultural, economic and political issue is difficult. A practical way out from this situation is to embrace a system of making decision with a simple majority. 

Multi-polar order 

 The geopolitical situation has undergone a sea change since 2014.  The unipolar world order led by USA was at its climax at that time, is yielding space for other multiple rising  economic and military superpowers in Asia. As multi-polar power alignment take shape at global level, growing challenges from terrorism, looming threat of pandemics and frequent events of climate emergencies accentuate the need for more effective and broader regional collaboration to cope with the emerging challenges. 

The SAARC is in a state of paralysis at the moment but it is not defunct yet. If the leaders of the South Asian countries transcend petty self-interest and agree on a broad framework for regional cooperation, it has the potential of rising up as a dynamic organisation. This could pave the way for effective regional integration, fostering a spirit of collective prosperity, peace, stability and security of South Asia. At a time when the global economic and geo-political power centre is shifting towards Asia, the initiative to revitalising the SAARC process would provide South Asian sub-continent a more robust architecture to position itself as a pillar in the emerging  Asia-led new world order. 

(Dr. Bharadwaj is former ambassador and former chairperson of Gorkhapatra Corporation. Bharadwajnarad@ gmail.com)