South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation

Committee Overview

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is an organization of South Asian nations which aims to maintain and promote cooperation and development within the region. Since its inception in 1985, SAARC has worked toward establishing economic and cultural ties among South Asian nations. Unlike other regional blocs, SAARC has no political mandate and does not influence or disrupt the sovereignty of its individual member states. It primarily focuses on streamlining development and fostering better multinational relations within the region and with the rest of the world. Although political tensions between India and Pakistan have hampered SAARC’s progress at times, it has still been considerably successful over the last two decades in putting differences aside and promoting unity among South Asian countries. Challenges ahead for SAARC are to tackle the ongoing threat of climate change, establishing a charter that encourages democracy, and renewing the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement, the trade agreement of SAARC.

Mini-Guide

Background Guide