Opinion: Forty years on, SAARC struggles to realize its regional vision
Summary
As SAARC marks 40 years, it struggles with political tensions and inactivity despite its vast regional potential, highlighting the need for renewed cooperation and leadership to fulfill its founding vision.
Key Points
- SAARC, established in 1985, aimed to promote regional cooperation for economic and social development across South Asia.
- Political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, and domestic instability have stalled SAARC's progress and prevented summits.
- Technical bodies of SAARC continue to operate, but lack of political consensus and high-level summits hampers coordinated regional action.
- Renewed political will and pragmatism are essential for SAARC to fulfill its vision of a more integrated and prosperous South Asia.
