Saarc

[easha]

aslam oalikum friend here is my poor attempt which i want to share.
SAARC
SAARC is South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation .The countries of south Asia,one-fifth of the entire humanity ,are: India,Pakistan,Sri Lanka ,Bhutan Nepal,Maldives and Bangladesh .Afghanistan became it member on the occasion of 14th summit,April 2007.Its observers are China,E.U,Iran,Japan ,Korea and America.Its headquarter is in Kathmandu, Nepal.SAARC covers the area of 5,130,746 km.Its population according to 2004 estimate is 1,467,255,669.Economically G.D.P per captia income range between 700$ to 3190$.
Background
SAARC was formed in 1983,but it was not until 1985 that it started secking conceret results .The idea of SAARC was given by president Zial-ur-Rehman of Bangladesh .The response of Pakistan and India to the proposal was not very encouraging .India feared that her smaller neighbours might gange up against her in bilateral problems and Pakistan thought that India being the biggest country in region ,would dominate that organisation .However,on second thought both the countries joined it.

Organisational Structure
SAARC performs its function through following organisational bodied.
1-SAARC Summit Conference
SAARC summit conference helds once a year ,attended by head of states .This is the highest decision making body of SAARC.
2-Council of Ministers
It meets twice a year .It appoints secretary general of SAARC among member states on rotation bases.Council is responsible for formulation of policies of association.
3-Standing Council of SAARC
It comparises of foreign secteries of all member states.This committee give approval to the projects and progress of SAARC.
4- Secretariat
It is located at Kathmandu.It co-ordinates work of all organisation and agencies of SAARC.It is headed by secretary general .The presant secretary general is Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji.
Areas of co-operation :
Members of SAARC agreed on five areas of co-operation .
· -Agriculture and Rural Development.
· -Telecommunication,Science,Technology and Metrology .
· Health and Population Activities.
Transport.
· -Human Resource Development.
Summits
14 summits of SAARC have been held now.
Achievements of SAARC
SAARC has opened new horizon for South Asia .It has played its signified role:
1-In developing understanding among the member states which has led to the reduction of tension in the region .The achievements of this organisation must be seen in the light of its modest agenda with which it started functioning in 1985.
2-The SAARC Regional Convention of Suppression of Terriorism signed by foreign ministers during the Kathmandu Summit came in to force in August 1998.
3-In the same year the SAARC Food Security Reserve became operational.
4-The SAVE(SAARC Audio Video Exchange )programme has also successfully compelted more than 4 years of telecasting and broadcasting of items of popular interest.
5-The working of regional document centre has also made considerable head way.
6-Substantial progress has been made for the launching of SAARC tourism scheme.
7-The member countries have devised modalities for confronting many important issues such as poverty,terrorism drug-trafficking etc.
8-Institutional arrangements such as South Asian Development Bank ,South Asian Development Fund etc ,have been initiated.
9-There is a general trend to co-operate at functional level ,ignoring political differences.
10-SAARC Agricultural Information Center (SAIC) has been set up at Dhaka to promote co-operation in the field of agriculture .
11-A Center for Human Resource Development (CHRD) has also been established .This is satisfactory achievement for a regional co-operation with such a diverse population and economic,political and cultural differences .
12-The SAARC Preferential Trade Agrement (SAPTA) adopted in seventh summit in 1993 and SAFTA agreement ,signed during the 12th SAARC summit in January 2004 are the more feathers in the crown of the organization.
Hurdles in the way of SAARC
Lack of convergence of political security of the member states as also an absence of perceived threat to their vital interest from a common enemy factors which contribute towards the viability of other regional grouping such as European Union and ASEAN.

The problem in South Asia intrinsically is India and how it has treated its neighbours.Pakistan is right to say that normalisation of relations with India entirely depends on latter agreeing to sattle the Kashmir question on the basis of self-determination to which India is solemnly committed ,India on the other hand openly repudiates the UN stand and hold on kashmir as integral part of India and therefore non-negotiable .Through the SAARC and bilaterlly,India is only interested intrade and tourist facilities.There is little hope of SAARC succeeding so long as India clings to its hegemonic ambitions and refuses to treat its neighbours with respect.

Long standing mutual disputes and Irritants exist between a good number of seven SAARC nations with no sign of their being resolved in the near future which is weakning the case of a regional format of co-operation. Some of these bilateral issues are:
· India is not willing to grant full-fledge freedom to Bangladesh. The principle issue is the sharing of the Ganges river waters. Millions of farmers have been reduced to penury by India’s unreasonable step to build Farrakha barrage depriving Bangladesh of much needed irrigation water.
· Nepal is unhappy with an equal trade treaty forced on it by India in 1950’s.
· Being landlocked it has to accept Delhi’s hegemonic hold.
· The unending woes of Srilanka are due to initial help to Jafna Tamils from India.
· Pakistan had to fight three wars since independence. The forceable occupation of Kashmir continues. India has let loose a reign of brutal terror in held Kashmir for the past many years with more than 50000 freedom fighters martyred.



Little have been achieved
In the field of social development ,in each summit ,wide ranging programmes of action were adopted .The proposals regarding tourism providing for convertibility of curriencies for tourists commision on natural disasters,SAARC awards to individuals for outstanding work in the fields of peace ,development and poverty allevation .these projects have largely remained on the drawing boards.
Role of Pakistan
Pakistan never shows relectance to attend any SAARC summit rather it always shows its willingness.Pakistan shows positive response towards SAFTA.Pakistan always tries to improve bilateral relations with India ,and tries to reduce tension in the region.
In 2005 summit Pakistan first time reversed its policy of economic co-operation with India.It has not discussed any controversial issue i.e.,Kashmir.
Recommendations
· -Charter should be reviewed and ammended ,must be strickly followed ,in case of any violation organization must impose restrication on member states.
· -Must resolve the intrinsic disputes among the SAARC.
· -India has to behave like a family elder .
· -It is important to decrease tension among two nuclear gaints of the region Pakistan and India.
· -India has to finish her hegemonic hold on Bangladesh and Nepal.
· -India should stop supporting Tamils in Sir Lanka.
· Big obstacles should be removed first and the small irritants will fade away soon.


· There are reasons for being optimistic about the future prospect of SAARC .The first is the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan are now set for improvement .Second ,the SAARC leaders for the first time ,have succeeded in adopting a framework agreement for SAFTA containing specific schedule for the lowering of tariffs.Third,the genuine concerns of he least development countries of SAARC ___Bangladesh,Nepal and Bhutan ___ have been adequately met .It is for the first time that SAARC members have strongly realized the importance of regional economic integration in a world where bilateral and regional trade pacts have become economic necessity.Once all the major disputes between the two rivals are resolved ,we can expect a successful future for the SAARC in the impending economic battle of globalization.

[Engr.Aftab]

@easha
it covers all about saarc so how can u say poor attempt............?

[samighumro]

i had little knowledge about SAARc but now i hav touched its every corner through this completely successful Essay . it would be an underestimation by calling it a poor attempt.