SAARC’s POTENTIAL ROLE IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

This article examines the potential role of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in promoting the economic development and reconstruction of Afghanistan, which became a full member of the organization in 2007. It argues that Afghanistan's integration into the South Asian region is crucial for its long-term stability and that SAARC provides the primary institutional framework for this process. The study explores various potential areas of cooperation. These include facilitating Afghanistan's trade with and transit through other SAARC countries (particularly Pakistan), promoting South Asian investment in Afghanistan, and providing technical assistance and capacity building support in various sectors. The research also acknowledges the significant challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the political tensions within SAARC itself. The paper concludes that a proactive and well-resourced SAARC engagement could play a significant role in anchoring Afghanistan to its South Asian neighborhood and supporting its post-conflict recovery.

The inclusion of Afghanistan as the eighth member of SAARC was a decision of major strategic and symbolic importance. This paper moves beyond the symbolism to explore the potential for a substantive role for the organization in promoting Afghanistan's economic development. The study begins by outlining the immense developmental challenges facing post-conflict Afghanistan, from a shattered infrastructure to a weak state and an economy dominated by the opium trade. The core of the article is an exploration of how regional cooperation through SAARC could help to address these challenges. A key area of focus is trade and transit. The paper argues that SAARC could play a vital role in integrating Afghanistan into the regional economy by facilitating its access to the sea via Pakistan and by connecting it to the larger Indian market. It also discusses the potential for SAARC countries to provide much-needed investment and technical assistance in areas like agriculture and human resource development. The paper also provides a realistic assessment of the formidable obstacles. The primary obstacle identified is the deep-seated mistrust and rivalry between Pakistan and India, which has often been played out on Afghan soil and which could paralyze any meaningful SAARC initiative. Despite these challenges, the paper concludes on a hopeful note. It argues that a successful and stable Afghanistan is a vital interest for the entire region, and that SAARC, as the only regional organization to which all the key neighbors belong, has a unique responsibility and a potential role to play in helping to secure that future.