The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) represents a pivotal attempt to foster regional integration and cooperation among the nations of South Asia. Established in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, SAARC brought together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with Afghanistan joining as the eighth member in 2007. The organization’s fundamental premise was to create a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust, and understanding, thereby accelerating economic growth, social progress, and cultural development within the region. It emerged from a shared recognition among leaders of the potential benefits of collective action to address common challenges and leverage shared opportunities in a geostrategically significant part of the world.

The formation of SAARC was driven by a vision to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, improve their quality of life, and strengthen collective self-reliance among the member states. Beyond economic collaboration, the organization aspired to foster mutual trust and understanding, recognizing the diverse social, cultural, and historical fabric of the region. Despite a relatively late start compared to other regional blocs globally, SAARC aimed to carve out a unique identity, focusing on areas of common interest while respecting the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of its members. This ambitious agenda laid the groundwork for a structured approach to regional development, setting the stage for institutional frameworks and programmatic initiatives designed to achieve its stated objectives.

Organizational Structure of SAARC

The organizational structure of SAARC is designed to facilitate decision-making, policy formulation, and the implementation of regional cooperation initiatives across various sectors. It comprises several layers, each with specific responsibilities, ensuring a hierarchical and functional system of governance.

The Heads of State or Government Summit is the highest decision-making body of SAARC. Comprising the leaders of all member states, these summits are ideally held annually, though their frequency has varied due to political complexities. The Summit provides the overall direction and policy guidelines for the organization, reviewing progress, identifying new areas of cooperation, and taking crucial decisions that shape SAARC’s future trajectory. Declarations issued at the end of each summit articulate the collective vision and commitment of the leaders.

Below the Summit is the Council of Ministers, which consists of the Foreign Ministers of the member states. This Council meets usually twice a year and is responsible for formulating policies, reviewing progress of regional cooperation, determining new areas of cooperation, establishing additional mechanisms as deemed necessary, and deciding on general issues of common interest. The Council also prepares for the Summit meetings, setting the agenda and reviewing proposed agreements and declarations.

The Standing Committee, composed of the Foreign Secretaries of the member states, is a crucial operational arm. It meets as often as necessary, typically before the Council of Ministers meetings. Its primary functions include overall monitoring and coordination of SAARC programs, approval of projects and programs, financial arrangements, and mobilization of resources. The Standing Committee also identifies new areas of cooperation and prepares the agenda for the Council of Ministers.

The Programming Committee, consisting of senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of member states, deals with financial and budgetary matters, inter-sectoral coordination, and the calendar of activities. It prepares the budget of the SAARC Secretariat and the regional centers, and assists the Standing Committee in its functions.

The SAARC Secretariat, located in Kathmandu, Nepal, serves as the administrative and technical hub of the organization. Headed by a Secretary-General appointed by the Council of Ministers for a three-year term on a rotational basis, the Secretariat’s functions include coordinating and monitoring the implementation of SAARC activities, servicing the meetings of SAARC bodies, serving as a channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations, and maintaining a repository of information on SAARC activities. It plays a vital role in ensuring continuity and institutional memory.

In addition to these core bodies, SAARC’s structure includes various Technical Committees (TCs), which are responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring programs in specific sectors. These committees involve experts from member states in areas such as agriculture and rural development, health and population activities, women, youth and children, environment and forestry, science and technology, energy, transport, communications, and trade and finance. While their roles are vital for sectoral cooperation, their effectiveness often depends on the level of commitment and resource allocation from member states.

To further operationalize cooperation in specialized fields, SAARC has established a number of Regional Centers and Specialized Bodies. These include:

  • SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) in New Delhi, India.
  • SAARC Energy Centre (SEC) in Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Thimphu, Bhutan, providing funding for project-based collaboration.
  • SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) in Islamabad, Pakistan, for commercial dispute resolution.
  • SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC) in New Delhi, India.
  • SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (SCZMC) in Malé, Maldives.
  • SAARC Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC) in Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

These centers facilitate research, training, knowledge sharing, and project implementation in their respective domains. Furthermore, SAARC has granted Observer Status to several countries and organizations, including Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States, allowing them to attend SAARC Summits and contribute to discussions, thereby broadening the organization’s international engagement.

Achievements of SAARC

Despite facing significant geopolitical challenges, particularly the persistent tensions between India and Pakistan, SAARC has achieved notable milestones across various sectors, establishing a framework for regional cooperation and fostering a sense of South Asian identity.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

One of SAARC’s most significant achievements has been the pursuit of enhanced economic integration. The journey began with the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA), signed in 1993 and operationalized in 1995. SAPTA aimed to promote trade among member states through tariff concessions. Building upon SAPTA’s limited success, the ambitious South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Agreement was signed in 2004 and came into force in 2006. SAFTA’s primary objective was to reduce customs duties on all traded goods to zero by 2016 for non-Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and by 2020 for LDCs, thereby creating a free trade area. While the full potential of SAFTA has not been realized due to non-tariff barriers, sensitive lists, and geopolitical issues, it nonetheless represents a significant step towards a more integrated regional market, leading to a modest increase in intra-regional trade from under 5% to around 7% of total trade.

To further deepen economic ties, SAARC also developed the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS), adopted in 2010. This agreement aims to liberalize trade in services, providing a framework for members to progressively eliminate restrictions in sectors like tourism, finance, health, and transport, though its implementation has been slow. Additionally, the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters was signed to facilitate cross-border investment and trade by reducing tax-related complexities.

The establishment of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in 2010 was a crucial step to finance regional projects. Headquartered in Thimphu, Bhutan, SDF focuses on three windows: Social, Economic, and Infrastructure. It has funded numerous projects aimed at poverty alleviation, rural development, infrastructure improvement, and renewable energy, contributing tangibly to socio-economic development in member states. For instance, SDF has supported projects related to climate change adaptation, food security, and regional connectivity, demonstrating a commitment to addressing shared developmental challenges.

Social and Cultural Development

SAARC has made considerable efforts to improve the quality of life for its citizens and promote cultural understanding. The SAARC Social Charter, adopted in 2004, is a landmark achievement, committing member states to work together on poverty eradication, health, education, women’s empowerment, youth mobilization, environmental protection, and population stabilization. It provides a comprehensive framework for social development and underscores the region’s commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and later the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the health sector, the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC) has played a vital role in coordinating regional efforts to combat these diseases through research, training, and information dissemination. During global health crises, SAARC has provided a platform for member states to discuss coordinated responses, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, though practical cooperation remained limited.

The promotion of cultural exchange and education has been a consistent focus. The SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) in Colombo facilitates artistic, historical, and cultural cooperation. Initiatives like the SAARC University (South Asian University) in New Delhi aim to provide high-quality education and foster regional integration through academic collaboration, attracting students from across South Asia. Scholarship programs and cultural exchange festivals have also contributed to greater people-to-people contact and mutual appreciation of diverse cultures.

SAARC has also addressed serious cross-border issues like drug trafficking and terrorism. The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism (1987) and the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1990) signify a collective commitment to combating these transnational threats, providing a legal framework for cooperation in intelligence sharing, extradition, and law enforcement.

Environmental Cooperation and Disaster Management

Recognizing the shared vulnerability of South Asian countries to environmental degradation and natural disasters, SAARC has prioritized cooperation in these areas. The SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), established in New Delhi, focuses on developing regional strategies for disaster risk reduction, capacity building, and emergency response coordination. This has led to joint training programs, development of early warning systems, and sharing of best practices in managing floods, earthquakes, and cyclones, which frequently devastate parts of the region.

SAARC has also acknowledged the severe implications of climate change for South Asia. Initiatives include the adoption of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change (2010) and various programs aimed at promoting sustainable development, renewable energy, and environmental conservation through the SAARC Energy Centre and other bodies.

Connectivity and People-to-People Contacts

While physical connectivity projects have seen limited progress, SAARC has facilitated people-to-people contacts through initiatives like the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. This scheme allows certain categories of persons, such as parliamentarians, judges, journalists, and senior officials, to travel within member countries without a visa, fostering greater interaction and understanding. The promotion of tourism, through shared branding and simplified travel procedures, has also been an objective.

Institutional Building

Perhaps one of SAARC’s most understated yet significant achievements is the very act of establishing and maintaining an institutional framework for regional cooperation in a historically conflict-prone region. The existence of the SAARC Secretariat, the various regional centers, and regular (even if sometimes delayed) meetings of SAARC bodies ensures a continuous platform for dialogue, consultation, and collaboration among member states. This institutional scaffolding provides a basis for future cooperation, even when political headwinds are strong. It signifies a long-term commitment, at least in principle, to regional solidarity despite the challenges that have often hampered its full potential.

In essence, SAARC’s achievements lie not only in tangible agreements like SAFTA or the establishment of regional centers but also in its persistent role as the only comprehensive intergovernmental forum for South Asia. It has provided a space, however constrained, for shared discourse on common challenges such as poverty, disease, climate change, and terrorism, and has laid down foundational agreements and institutional mechanisms necessary for deeper regional integration, even if the pace of implementation has been slower than envisioned.

SAARC’s journey has been marked by a complex interplay of aspirations and realities. While its organizational structure is comprehensive, designed to facilitate multi-sectoral cooperation from the highest political levels down to technical committees and specialized centers, its effectiveness has often been constrained by geopolitical rivalries and a lack of consistent political will among member states. Nevertheless, the organization has laid crucial groundwork in economic integration through agreements like SAFTA, even if fully realized potential remains elusive. It has fostered significant social development and cultural exchanges through initiatives like the SAARC Social Charter, South Asian University, and various cultural centers, creating platforms for mutual understanding and collaboration on shared developmental goals like poverty alleviation and public health.

Moreover, SAARC has demonstrated a collective approach to transnational challenges such as disaster management and environmental protection, setting up dedicated centers and frameworks for regional coordination. Despite the limitations inherent in its operational environment, the very existence and continued functioning of SAARC’s institutional framework, including its Secretariat and regional bodies, represent a fundamental achievement. This framework serves as an enduring forum for dialogue, enabling member states to address common issues and build collective responses, thereby sustaining a vision of regional solidarity in South Asia.