ISSUES BEFORE THE SAARC SUMMIT

This analytical study examines the critical issues and challenges facing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as it prepares for its upcoming summit in the late 1980s. The article explores the progress achieved in regional cooperation since SAARC's establishment in 1985 and identifies persistent obstacles to deeper integration. The research investigates key agenda items for the summit, including trade liberalization initiatives, poverty alleviation programs, environmental cooperation, and security dialogue mechanisms. The study analyzes the impact of bilateral tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, on multilateral cooperation within the SAARC framework. The article assesses institutional development within SAARC and evaluates the effectiveness of its decision-making processes and implementation mechanisms. The research also examines external factors influencing SAARC dynamics, including global economic trends and major power interests in South Asia. Furthermore, the analysis proposes strategies for enhancing SAARC's effectiveness and advancing regional cooperation objectives.

The SAARC summit process represented a crucial mechanism for advancing regional cooperation in South Asia during the late 1980s, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of the issues and challenges facing the organization. The research begins by examining the historical context of SAARC establishment, analyzing how shared development challenges and regional security concerns motivated the creation of this regional forum. The analysis explores economic cooperation initiatives, assessing progress in trade liberalization through SAPTA, industrial collaboration projects, and regional development programs addressing common challenges. The article investigates social development cooperation, examining initiatives in education, health, women's development, and poverty alleviation that address the human development needs of South Asia's population. The study examines environmental cooperation, analyzing regional responses to shared ecological challenges including water management, climate change impacts, and natural disaster preparedness. The research evaluates the impact of bilateral political tensions on multilateral cooperation, assessing how India-Pakistan relations and other bilateral disputes affect SAARC summit dynamics and implementation of regional decisions. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both achievements and limitations in SAARC cooperation and proposes strategic directions for enhancing regional integration. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of regional cooperation in contexts of significant asymmetry and political tension and contribute to understanding the potential for functional cooperation to build regional community.