SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

This comprehensive analysis examines the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from its establishment through its early development to future prospects during the mid-1980s. The article explores the historical context of SAARC's formation, analyzing the regional dynamics, bilateral relationships, and international factors that influenced the creation of this regional organization. The research investigates the institutional structure of SAARC and assesses its performance across different cooperation areas including agriculture, rural development, telecommunications, meteorology, and health. The study examines the achievements and limitations of SAARC during its initial years of operation, analyzing both technical cooperation successes and political constraints. The article assesses the impact of bilateral tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, on regional cooperation prospects. The research also evaluates alternative models of regional cooperation and identifies strategies for enhancing SAARC's effectiveness in promoting regional development and stability. Furthermore, the analysis considers the future potential of SAARC in the evolving South Asian regional context.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation represented a significant institutional innovation in South Asian international relations, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of its development from establishment to future prospects during the mid-1980s. The research begins by examining the historical context of SAARC's formation, tracing the evolution from early regional cooperation proposals through the complex negotiation process that culminated in the organizations establishment in 1985. The analysis explores the institutional architecture of SAARC, examining its summit-level decision-making, council of ministers, standing committee, technical committees, and secretariat structure designed to facilitate regional cooperation. The article investigates SAARC's performance in specific cooperation areas, assessing progress in agricultural research, meteorological cooperation, telecommunications development, rural development initiatives, and other technical fields where member states identified common interests. The study examines the political constraints on SAARC cooperation, analyzing how bilateral tensions particularly between India and Pakistan, security concerns, and different political systems have limited the organizations scope and effectiveness. The research evaluates the relationship between SAARC and other regional organizations and external powers, examining how the association positions itself within broader Asian regional architecture and global international relations. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes both the achievements and limitations of SAARC during its formative years and identifies strategies for enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia. The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of building regional institutions in contexts of significant asymmetry and bilateral tensions and contribute to understanding how technical cooperation can develop despite political constraints in divided regions.