BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACTS IN SAARC

Author: Mohammad Omair Saqib

DOI Link: DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2004v25n4a7

ABSTRACT

In this era, when the world is being viewed as a global village, there is more and more need of constructive dialogue among the countries of the South Asian region to create greater cooperation and understanding under the auspices of SAARC. The need to exercise collective will of people and leadership and the emphasis on people-to-people contacts have become more and more imperative for fostering friendship and promoting natural understanding among the states of South Asia. Introducing a visa-free regime, facilitating intra-regional tourism, improving communication infrastructure and transport, developing effective telecommunication network, cooperating in the education sector and exchange of sports and culture would contribute significantly in promoting people-to-people contacts in this region. SAARC is often viewed as an organization, which facilitates the meeting of the Government officials, policy makers, political leaders and experts. The regional members have somewhat failed in bringing SAARC closer to the people of the region, but the impoverished, In this era, when the world is being viewed as a global village, there is more and more need of constructive dialogue among the countries of the South Asian region to create greater cooperation and understanding under the auspices of SAARC. The need to exercise collective will of people and leadership and the emphasis on people-to-people contacts have become more and more imperative for fostering friendship and promoting natural understanding among the states of South Asia. Introducing a visa-free regime, facilitating intra-regional tourism, improving communication infrastructure and transport, developing effective telecommunication network, cooperating in the education sector and exchange of sports and culture would contribute significantly in promoting people-to-people contacts in this region. SAARC is often viewed as an organization, which facilitates the meeting of the Government officials, policy makers, political leaders and experts. The regional members have somewhat failed in bringing SAARC closer to the people of the region, but the impoverished.\