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South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation(SAARC)

  

SAARC is a regional organization for economic,political, cultural,social and technical co-operation among South Asian countries, include;

• Republic of India
• Islamic republic of Pakistan
• People's Republic of Bangladesh
• Afghanistan
• Kingdom of Nepal
• Kingdom of Bohtan
• Republic of Maldives
• Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka       

Flags of eight SAARC Countries

Seven countries except Afghanistan are primarily South Asian. 

• Established                8 December 1985
•  Secretariat                Khatmando(Nepal)
• Collective GDP          $ 9.05trillian
• nominal GDP             $2.599trillian
• 3rd largest economy in terms of GDP
• 8th largest nominal GDP
• SAARC countries cover 3% area of the world
• 21% population reside in this area. 
• Ethnically most diversed region  

Idea of SAARC Organization   

President of Bangladesh gave idea of a regional organization for political and economic co-operation among South Asian Countries in May 2,1980 however this idea had been discussed in different conferences . In following three conferences this idea of regional organization was discussed.

1.  In Asian Relations conference held in Dehli on April,1947. It was hosted by Pandat Johar Lal Nehro. This conference was attended by many asian countries . Attendee of this conference laid emphasis on unity of asia connecting all countries in social,cultural,political and economic common interests.
2. In Bogiou Conference held in Philpine on May 1950. Bogiou conference was conceived by President of Phil-pine to discuss formulation of regional organization.
3. In Colombo Power Conference held in Sri-Lanka in April,1954 . This conference was attended by Indonesia,Burma,Inadia and Pakistan. Attendees of this conference are known as colombo powers, conference was not met for any particular issue but to discuss matters related with common interests of these countries.

In latter 1970s, seven inner South Asian countries agreed upon the creation of trade block so thet the people of these countries countries could work with mutual understanding and spirit. President of Bangladesh Zia-Ur-Rehman addressed letters to these countries and expressed his vision that an organization for mutual co-operation was utmost and in greater interest of the region.During his visit to India He discussed it with Indian then Prime minister Morarji  Desai.
King Birendra of Nepal gave a call for close regional cooperation, when he was giving inaugural speech to Colombo Plan Consultative Committee, which held  in Kathmando in 1977.

Efforts towards creation of SAARC
USSRs growing intervention in Afghanistan compelled South Asian Countries to do some efforts to safeguard the region. These efforts accelerated in  1979 as security situation of region was deteriorating. Responding to Zia-ur-Rehman and King Birendra,officials of seven countries met in Colombo in April, 1981. All the countries endorsed proposal of Bangladesh but Pakistan and India were remained sceptical in the begining.Diplomatic consultations started between South Asian countries at UN headquarter in NewYark In august 1980.It was agreed that Bangladesh will prepare draft for discussion. In this regard foreign secretaries met in Colombo in September 1981 where Delegations of The committee of whole was convened.
In this meeting five broad areas of cooperation were agreed.In 1983 international conference was held in New Dehli, India by Indian foreign ministry. In which ministers of seven countries met and adopted the declaration of SAARC. Five major areas of cooperation were agreed in Integrated Plan Action of SAARC, following;

• Agriculture 
• Rural Development
• Telecommunication 
• Meteorology
• Health and Population activities     

These five areas of co-operation were initially agreed in 1983.

Official Establishment of SAARC  
 Officially, association was established in Dahaka, with Kathmando being its Secretariat. First summit of association was held in Decca on 8-9 December 1985 which was hosted by President of Bangladesh Hussain Ershad. Declaration was signed by representatives of SAARC countries;

1. President of Pakistan  Zia-ul-Haq 
2. Prime minister of India  Rajive Gandhi
3. King of  Bohtan Jygme Sygea
4. King of Nepal Birendra Shah
5. President of Sri-Lanka JP javerdene
6. President of Maldives Mamoon Gayoom 

  Accession of Afghanistan to SAARC
Afghanistan is not a South Asian country. In 2005 Afghanistan started negotiating her accession with SAARC this generated great deal of discussions among  other member countries. Because Afghanistan is not South Asian Country so there was discussions about the definition of South Asia because it is a Central Asian country . Afghanistan formally applied for membership in 2006 which was accepted with consent of Members.  
 Introduction of Member States

• Bangladesh is founding member of SAARC with an area of  147,570sqkm and
  156,594,962 population.It is 8th largest populous  country.She got independence from Pakistan in 1971 as result of Bangladesh Liberation war.It is eleventh emerging economy.Bangladesh hosted SAARC's 1st and 13th summit.
• Bhutan is happiest country in south Asia and eighth happiest in the world located at Hamalyas with an area of 38,394sqkm and population is 742737.It hosted SAARC's sixteenth summit.Nepal is kingdom and constitutional monarchy is her political system.
• India is seventh largest country in terms of area and second most populous country with 1.2billion population also world's most populous democracy. Its area is 3,287,590sqkm.Its nominal GDP is world's 10th.Four religions originated from here and four other arrived here.It is federal constitutional republic which got independence from British in 1974.
• Meldives is an island located in Indian Ocean.Its area is 298sqkm and  393,500 is population.lowest high country from sea level.Became independent in 1965 from UK.
• Nepal has eight high mountains with altitude more than 8000m. It has an area of 147,181sqkm and 27million population. In 2008 Nepal converted from monarchy to democracy.It is now Federal democratic Republic and aims to become developed nation by 2022.
•  Islamic Republic of Pakistan got independence from British in 1947. It is sixth most populous country with 180million population. It has an area of 7,96,096sqkm. It is home to Indus Vally Civilization.It is leading Muslim country,nuclear power and founding member of OIC. 
• Sri-Lanka is an island in Indian Ocean. Until 1972 it was known as Cyloon. It is famous in terms of Human Development. She got independence from British in 1948. It has large number of coastal forests and biodiversity.
• Islmic Republic of Afghanistan is landlocked country in South Asia. It covers 652,000sqkm area and its population is 31millions. Afghanistan is home to many dynasties like mughal, khilgi, duranni so on and so forth.Its strategic location has caught attention of many powers like Russia and now America. Cold  war has devastated the country. 

        Observer Members

In 2006 foreign ministers of seven SAARC countries agreed on principal to grant observer status to three applicants, include; US,South Korea and EU.Now observer styatus has been granted to many countries and has almost more than ten observers, following;

1. US(united nations)
2. EU(Europiun union)
3. South Korea
4. Australia
5. Burma
6. Iraq
7. Iran
8. Japan
9. China
10. Mauritius

 Russia and Turkey has have also applied for observer membership while South Africa has also participated in meetings.Fifteenth SAARC summit has decided to impose moratorium on further admission of observer members.
SAARC Secretariat and Regional Centers 
SAARC Secretariat was established in January 1987 and was inaugurated by King of Nepal King Birendra Shah.However regional centers have been established in all member States to promote regional co-operation.Centers are managed by governing boards comprising of Representatives from all  member states,secretary general and foreign ministry of host country. Director of Regional center serves as Member Secretary to the Governing board.following Regional centers are established in member State     

•  SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC), Dhaka, Bangladesh
• SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh
• SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC), Kathmandu, Nepal
• SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC), New Delhi, India
• SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC), Islamabad, Pakistan
• SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (SCZMC), Maldives
• SAARC Information Centre (SIC), Nepal
• SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Pakistan
• SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), India
• SAARC Forestry Centre (SFC), Bhutan
• SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Sri Lanka
• SAARC Development Fund(SDF), Bohtan

SAARC has almost seventeen recognized bodies here I name few of them. 

1.SAARC Chamber of commerce and industry

2.SAARC Law association for co-operation in law
3.South Asian Federation for accounts
4.South Asian Foundation
5.Foundation of SAARC writers and litrature.
AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS 
1.Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area
During the sixteenth meeting of the council of ministers in 1995 it was decided that there should be Free Trade agreement among SAARC states for better trade relations. On 6 January 2004, 12th SAARC summit held in Islamabad where SAFTA was signed by all countries. Agreement came into action in 2009, It envisaged that twenty percent custom will be reduced for Trade in SAARC region.
2.SAARC Visa exemption scheme  
During the twelfth summit held in Islamabad It was realized by all states that people to people contacts should be boosted. One year visa exception scheme was launched which is available for Lawyers,Sportsmen and Journalists etc.  
3.SAARC Framework agreement For Energy Co-operation       

This agreement was signed during the 18th SAARC summit held in Khatmando Nepal. It was agreed that buyers and sellers,Power producers would be allowed to trade electricity  within the SAARC boundry. They can negotiate taxes and scope with concerned states.They can seek any sort of help  from state as well.

4.SAARC Arbiration council 

During the thirteenth SAARC summit that held in Decca(Bangladesh) all the member states agreed on establishment of SAARC Arbirtration Council headed by Director General who would be chosen from member states in alphabetical order and members of council would be experts from all member states. Council would be given full legal authority for the settlement of disputes and conflicts among states and interacting entities.Disputes may include commercial,investment etc.
5. Convention on Preventing and Combating trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution 
The purpose of the convention is to promote co-operation amongst member states  so that they may effectively deal in various aspects of prevention,interdiction and suppersion in traffecting of women and children and to prevent the use of women and children in international prostitution. 
                                   There has been many other agreements and conventions like:Promotion of Children walfare,convention on crime matters,conventions on nocotic drugs,convention on suppression of terrorism,agreements on establishing slandered regional organizations and establishment of south Asian university is also under discussion   
Areas of Co-operation
In 1985 on five areas of co-opertaion were agreed but now SAARC countries are co-operating with each other in sixteen different ares of co-operation,following;

• Agriculture and rural development
• Biotechnology
• Culture
• Economic and trade
• Education 
• Energy
• Environment
• Finance
• Funding mechanism
• Information,Communication and Media
• People to people contacts 
• Poverty Alleviation 
• Science ans technology
• Security Aspects
• Social Development
• Tourism

Secretaries Generals of SAARC

First Secretary General was Abdul Hassan from Bangladesh. Secretary Generals are selected in alphabetical order from member states.Naeem Ul Islam from Pakistan served as secretary from 1996 to 1998. Secretary General is elected for the tenure of three years.Current Secretary General is Arjun Bahadur Thapa from Nepal.

SAARC Summits 

First SAARC summit was held in Decca, Bangladesh in December 1985.Pakistan hosted two summits, Fourth summit held in Islamabad in December,1988 presides over by Bainzeer Botto and twelfth summit held in Islamabad in January 2004 which was presided over by Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali. Last summit was held in Khatmando,Nepal and next summit will be held in Islamabad,Pakistan.