Answer of the day

GS2

Bilateral, regional and global grouping, and agreement involving India and/or effecting India's Interest.

Qustn

In the background of cancellation of SAARC Summit last year over cross-border terrorism, what is its relevance in todays world? What are various issue it faced? Discuss(12.5 marks)

Sol-SAARC, which was established in 1985, is the regional intergovernmental organisation consisting of 8 countries like India, Srilanka,Nepal etc. Its objectives were welfare of people, economic and cultural promotion, self relaince etc.

Relevance

1.As a forum for discussion of mutual issue without which regional growth would be difficult

2.All countries having similar challenges demand integrated approach. Challenges like poverty, unemployment,terrorism etc

3.Cooperation with other country through the forum like US and China have observor status, Myanmar want to be full time member.

4.Benefit of trade bloc hasn't been realised yet which provide huge potential to the region. As south asia is the least connected region of the world

5.need of infrastructure development for all the countries which can b better developed with cooperation.

Limitation

1.political difference 

2..inequality among members

3.SAPTA not operationalised

4.excludes bilateral and contentious issue discussion on forum

5.obstructionist policy of pakistan

6.no progress on rail and road connectivity

7.most of countries are poor except India and lacked democratic structure

8.political tension between two biggest member India and Pakistan

9.narrow regional interest rather than broader regional vision amonh countries

10.poor state of critical infrastructure in practically all countries

11.terrorist threat in almost all SAARC countries

12.psychological framework of its various constituents---not many countries identify themselves as part of south asia--Afghanistan-central asia, pak-middle east

Way Forward

1.Either drop SAARC altogether and focus on other forums like BIMSTEC-as political tension between India and Pakistan will make it difficult to utilise its potential. Though may not b a good idea

2.Engage with others regularly and try to resolve less contentious issue and when time permits to work on major issue. This should be the way adopted.

Extra Info

History of its development-Asian relations conference 1947--columbo power conference 1954--after USSR intervention in Afghanis

tan, effort to establish union was accelerated--committee of the whole in 1981-1st SAARC summit was held in Dhaka in 1985--Afghanistan joined in 2007

Objective

1.Welfare of people

2 economic

3.cultural development

4.promote self reliance amonh countries

5.mutual trust and understanding

Achievement so far

1.SAPTA--SAARC preferential trade agreememt in 1995.--1st step toward trade bloc in south asia

2.SAFTA-south asia free trade agreement in 2006

3.SAARC vida exemption

4.advantage of least developed countries

5.Education-establishment of south asia University in new delhi

Commonality

1.Geography

2.Cultural

3.History

Qustn for prelims

Select the correct statememt

1.SAARC and BIMSTEC has headquarter at same place.

2.Afghanistan is the member of both the grouping.

A-both 1 and 2

B-neither 1 nor 2

C-only 1

D-only 2