A Research Guide on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Author Topic: A Research Guide on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)  (Read 1399 times)

Offline abduarif

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 251
  • Test
    • View Profile
Abdullah Al Arif, Md Ershadul Karim


Introduction
The regional organization South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985.There were initially seven member states that are mainly located in South Asia, i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In April 2007, at the Association's 14th summit, Afghanistan became its eighth member. The Headquarter of SAARC is in Kathmandu, Nepal. His Excellency Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa of Bhutan is the present Secretary General of the organization (From March 1, 2014 to present).
 
History
In the late 1970's, the then Presidentof Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman proposed the creation of a trade bloc consisting of South Asian countries and with this end in view, he wrote communicated with the heads of governments of South Asian countries. The proposal was accepted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka during a meeting held in Colombo in 1981. In August 1983, the leaders adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation at a meeting which was held in New Delhi, India.
 
During the next two years the South Asian nations committed themselves to form this South Asian alliance and the process culminated in the First SAARC Summit held on 7-8 December, 1985 in Dhaka where the Heads of State or Government of the initial seven countries adopted the Charter establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

 
Membership
·        Afghanistan
·        Bangladesh
·        Bhutan
·        India
·        Maldives
·        Nepal
·        Pakistan
·        Sri Lanka

 
Objectives of SAARC
According to Article I of the SAARC Charter, the Association has the following objectives:
 
·        To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
·        To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential.
·        To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
·        To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciations of one another problem.
·        To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.
·        To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
·        To strengthen cooperation among themselves in International forums on matters of common interest.
·        To cooperate with International and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.
 
SAARC’s Principles
According to Article II of the SAARC Charter, the Association has the following principles:
 
·        Cooperation within the framework of the ASSOCIATION shall be based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and mutual benefit.
·        Such cooperation shall not be a substitute for bilateral and multilateral cooperation but shall complement them.
·        Such cooperation shall not be inconsistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations.

For the full text of the research guide on SAARC, click: http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/SAARC.htm
Abdullah Al Arif
Lecturer
Department of Law
Daffodil International University
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Offline AbdurRahim

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 159
  • Test
    • View Profile
thanks for it

Offline Sonali_Rani

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
  • Test
    • View Profile
 It will helpful for us.

Offline Ferdousi Begum

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 823
  • Don't give up.
    • View Profile
I saw that, it will be helpful for research.