Essays

Founded in 1985 to foster economic, social and neighborly relations among the member countries of the region, the SAARC (South Asian Association it Regional Cooperation) has not been a success so far. SAARC comprise seven nations namely Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka of Soult Asia. It was originally conceived by Bangladesh President Zia-ur-Rahman, witty view of  benefitting all the member nations, because of close and friendly economical social cooperation, if possible.

The SAARC Charter provides for annual summits that means 19 summits» far, but under the compulsions of politics of the region, only 11 summits have taka place.

Only a few SAARC summits have taken place without being marred by on controversy or the other. In fact the Islamabad summit scheduled to be held m Jan. 2004, was postponed over India's stand not to attend, because of Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism in India. The 11th Kathmandu summit of Jai 2002, was a] so delayed because of the bloodless military coup in Pakistan in Oct. 19% and the incidence of hijacking of Indian Airlines plane in Dec. 1999. when the lit summit finally took place in the backdrop of Dec 13. 2003. attack on India Parliament, the eyes of world were focused on the melodramatic handshake Pakistan's president General Musharraf with his counterpart Mr. Vajpayee, the Pm Minister of India.

Undoubtedly the continuing differences among the member countries espied the big brothers, India and Pakistan have over shadowed the spirit of region cooperation and hampered the growth of the SAARC. Though the SAARC—Chart clearly barred the discussion on bilateral issues during the summit, yet Pakistan had always been trying to take up the Kashmir issue, in every summit, on the pretext thtf without solving Kashmir issue, noncooperation can be thought of. India also made a of bilateral problem, the cross border terrorism, when declining to attend the 1 Islamabad summit .Earlier Sri lanka had also refused to take part in SAARC fore minister's conference in 1998, in protest against some of India's policies.

Although bilateral issues have hampered the progress of the organization,) in various summits informal discussions were held between the nations consumed a that produced some useful results. In Male summit in 1997, when, the then the Minister Mr. I.K. Gujral and Mr. Nawaj Sharif agreed on a mechanism for resolve  outstanding issues, which set in motion concrete process. The second was in 199 during Colombo summit, held after the nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan a meeting between Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif took place that paved the way Lahore bus journey by Mr. Vajpayee.

No concrete results could have been emanated since the creation of SAARC.”  Various reasons are there for such a failure, one being, tension between the member nations like India and Bangladesh have migration problem, India and Sri lanka have question of Tamils, India and Pakistan have Kashmir issue and cross border terrorism, second being disparities in size and resources, meaning thereby, smaller nation's eye India with distrust. Moreover SAARC nations lack identity of views, even minimal understanding, on political and security issues.

 With the globalization being spread throughout all the countries, it is but necessary for the SAARC nations to develop regional cooperation for their benefits. In 90's Pakistan had dragged its feet over SAARC preferential trading agreement (SAPTA), the scheme of economic cooperation among SAARC member countries, whose framework agreement was later finalized in 1993 and which formally came into operation in Dec. 95. SAPTA was envisaged primarily as the first step toward the transition to a South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) leading towards a customs union, common market and economic union.

In spite of these grand visions, not much progress has so far been made under the SAPTA rounds of negotiation, mainly because of the limited exchange of trade Concessions between India and Pakistan. Under the three rounds of SAPTA negotiations, about 3000 tariff lines have been offered for concession by member countries. The concessions offered were about 10 to 15 percent lower than the prevailing tariff rates. It is a matter of regret that even after this there has been no significant expansion in intra SAARC trade, which was merely a $3094 millions in 2001,4.8% of the total exports of all the seven nations.

 Changing scenario :

With the improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, beginning with ceasefire along the LOC, and cricket team of India toured Pakistan, it is being expected now, that some positive direction in the matter of trade among the member nations may take place.

It has to be realised and accepted by the member nations that so long as they I    remain reluctant to trade freely with all other members, the SAARC will remain a dead, theoretical concept. India being the largest member nation should show greater flexibility and readiness in responding to the needs of smaller SAARC members.

It is worthwhile to note that other regional organisations like ASEAN that have successfully expanded their mutual cooperation in spite of the political differences. The ECM (European Common Market) has taken long strides forward and has emerged today the European Union with common currency. While in SAARC, Pakistan has always raised the question of Kashmir prior to beginning of any economic progress. All the SAARC nations particularly the Pakistan has to realise that strategy of economic cooperation and development hold the key for all kind! political settlements and for the peace and security of the region.

Despite, every member nation is suffering from the problems of illiteracy poverty, disease, population explosion, corruption etc. they should be united to bounce mutually, keeping aside the political problems hitherto made the main task. The (nations are bound together geographically, culturally and historically. SAAI countries can assist one another, by launching a joint strategy to solve their probe for which every member has to work with honestly and sincerely. It requires a statue) will of the political leaders, keeping in front the mono aim of welfare of the people the region by accelerating economic cooperation, social progress and cutie development in the region. Nothing but peace, prosperity, all round progress in' region can make the region flourish with fast economic growth, fast development every nation. Let us hope that SAARC nations shall build a well focused economic, social and cultural agenda for 2020, keeping aside the political differences which have hitherto hampered the path of cooperation and prosperity of the region.

 Vocabulary :

1. foster—to bring up with care; rear. 2. conceived—to understand; apprehend. 3. compulsions—constraint, coercion, duress. 4. marred—to injure or damage so as to make imperfect. 5. controversy—contention, debate, disagreement, quarrel, 6. hijacking—robbery, highway robbery, private ring. 7. melodramatic—artificial, spectacular, sensational. 8. bilateral—of, having, or involving two sides, halves, factions. 9. hampered—limited, hampered, compassed. 10. concrete—particular, solid, precise, actual. 11. emanated—issue, arise, spring, originate. 12. envisaged—visualize, imagine, conceive, envision. 13. scenario—plot, outline, synopsis. 14. reluctant—disinclined, loath, hesitant, unwilling, averse. 15. strategy—approach, maneuvering, procedure, 16. hitherto—until now, previously, heretofore.