SAARC Full Form

The full form of SAARC is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, it is an intergovernmental body of South Asia. It was founded in Dhaka on December 8th, in the year 1985, almost 38 years ago. The SAARC secretariat is located in Kathmandu in the capital city of Nepal. This organization encourages regional integration as well as economic growth among its member nations. It established the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006 to serve this purpose. SAARC maintains diplomatic ties with the UN in its capacity as an observer. It has also strengthened ties between multilateral organizations and the European Union.

SAARC has eight member states. They are: Nepal, Afghanistan(2005), Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 
Besides this SAARC has nine observer countries, such as: Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, United States.

Background of SAARC

• In the late 1970s, Ziaur Rahman, a former president of Bangladesh, first suggested the idea of forming a regional organization for South Asian nations. 
• The establishment of the organization was spurred on by the demand for greater regional cooperation and integration, particularly in the economic, social, and cultural spheres, as well as by the need to advance peace and stability in the region. The participating nations came to understand that they had a great deal in common, including a long history of cultural exchange and a comparable geopolitical setting, and that closer collaboration could benefit the area significantly. 

Function of SAARC

• Efforts have been made by SAARC to increase member-country transportation connectivity. In order to accomplish this, the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and the SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Agreement were established. According to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Member States must obtain permits from other Member States for the transportation of passengers and cargo in accordance with the procedure and protocols outlined in the Agreement. This Agreement also allows Member States to allow the vehicles of other Member States to operate on their territory under certain conditions. On November 26–27, 2014, in Kathmandu, the SAARC summit was scheduled to sign the Agreement. 
• SAARC has launched a number of initiatives to promote investment and trade among its member nations. The group founded the SAARC Investment Area as well as the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). These two organizations examine issues relating to trade and investment.
• Promoting regional agricultural cooperation has been the organization’s main goal. The SAARC Food Bank and the SAARC Seed Bank were established by the organization with this objective in mind.
• The President of India approved the establishment of the SAARC Food Bank on April 17, 2007. According to the terms of the agreement, the SAARC Food Bank shall have a reserve of foodgrains consisting of either wheat or rice or a combination of the two, as determined by the assessed share of each member state.
• A request by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for India to sign the Agreement on Establishing a SAARC Regional Seed Bank was approved by the Cabinet in November 2011. 
• By giving people the chance to live honorably and reach their full potential, the SAARC seed bank aims to promote regional economic growth, social advancement, and cultural development. It will encourage and fortify the South Asian nations’ shared independence.
• The establishment of the SAARC Film Festival and the SAARC Cultural Center by SAARC are both efforts to advance cultural cooperation among its member nations.
• SAARC has made efforts to enhance the region’s public health. SAARC established the SAARC HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Centers with this objective in mind. To combat natural disasters, the organization also established the SAARC Disaster Management Center.

Key Achievement of SAARC

• SAARC has worked on poverty alleviation. For this purpose, it established SAARC Development Fund in the year 2010.
• To better coordinate disaster response and mitigation efforts, SAARC member states established the SAARC Disaster Management Centre in India in 2011.
• To promote energy trade and connectivity in the region, SAARC Energy Ministers decided to establish the SAARC Energy Ring in 2014.
• SAARC has established the SAARC Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka, promoting cultural exchange between member countries.
• To advance economic cooperation and regional trade SAARC member states signed SAFTA in 2004.

Challenges of SAARC

• In terms of regional integration, SAARC has not been able to make much progress. It is as a result of the member states’ lack of political will. Making choices and moving forward has been challenging because many member states have been reluctant to give up sovereignty or make concessions on crucial issues.
• The long-standing bilateral disputes between some of SAARC’s member states have been one of its biggest obstacles. For instance, the relationship between India and Pakistan has been tense for many years. Their involvement in SAARC has been affected. Other member states, like Bangladesh and Myanmar and India, and Nepal, have also experienced tensions over issues like border disputes and water sharing.
• Different SAARC members have developed their economies to different degrees. The establishment of fair conditions for regional economic cooperation has become difficult. While Bhutan and Nepal are relatively small and less developed, countries like India have large economies and sizable markets.
• Geopolitical factors, such as the influence of outside powers in the area, have also had an impact on SAARC. As an illustration, China has recently increased its presence in South Asia, which has caused some member states to worry about Beijing’s intentions and influence.