:South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

The idea of co-operation among South Asian Countries was discussed in three conferences: the Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in April 1947; the Baguio Conference in the Philippines in May 1950; and the Colombo Powers Conference held in Sri Lanka in April 1954.{{cite web |url=http://jang.com.pk/important_events/saarc_2004/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064044/http://jang.com.pk/important_events/saarc_2004/history.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead |title=12th SAARC Summit Islamabad: History and Evolution of SAARC}}

{{Supranational Asian Bodies|align=left|size=310px}}

In the ending years of the 1970s, the seven inner South Asian nations that included Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc and to provide a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust, and understanding. President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh later wrote official letters to the leaders of the countries of South Asia, presenting his vision for the future of the region and compelling arguments for co-operation.{{cite news |date=1 August 2008 |title=History and mission of SAARC |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/08/01/saarc02.asp |location=Colombo |newspaper=Daily News |access-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110182400/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/08/01/saarc02.asp |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=live}} During his visit to India in December 1977, Rahman discussed the issue of regional cooperation with the Indian Prime Minister, Morarji Desai. In the inaugural speech to the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee which met in Kathmandu also in 1977, King Birendra of Nepal gave a call for close regional cooperation among South Asian countries in sharing river waters.{{cite web |last=Muhammad |first=Jamshed Iqbal |title=SAARC: Origin, Growth, Potential and Achievements |url=http://www.nihcr.edu.pk/Latest_English_Journal/SAARC_Jamshed_Iqbal.pdf |work=National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research in Islamabad |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111092347/http://www.nihcr.edu.pk/Latest_English_Journal/SAARC_Jamshed_Iqbal.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}}

After the USSR's intervention in Afghanistan, efforts to establish the union were accelerated in 1979 amid the resulting rapid deterioration of the South Asian security situation. Responding to Rahman and Birendra's convention, officials of the foreign ministries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. The Bangladeshi proposal was promptly endorsed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives, however India and Pakistan were sceptical initially. The Indian concern was the proposal's reference to the security matters in South Asia and feared that Rahman's proposal for a regional organisation might provide an opportunity for new smaller neighbours to re-internationalize all bilateral issues and to join with each other to form an opposition against India. Pakistan assumed that it might be an Indian strategy to organize the other South Asian countries against Pakistan and ensure a regional market for Indian products, thereby consolidating and further strengthening India's economic dominance in the region.

However, after a series of diplomatic consultations headed by Bangladesh between South Asian UN representatives at the UN headquarters in New York, from September 1979 to 1980, it was agreed that Bangladesh would prepare the draft of a working paper for discussion among the foreign secretaries of South Asian countries. The foreign secretaries of the inner seven countries again delegated a Committee of the Whole in Colombo in September 1981, which identified five broad areas for regional cooperation. New areas of co-operation were added in the following years.

[http://saarc-sec.org/main.php?id=76 "A Brief on SAARC." South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202114138/http://saarc-sec.org/main.php?id=76 |date=2 December 2008 }} No date. See for a complete historical account of SAARC e.g. Michael, Arndt (2013). India's Foreign Policy and Regional Multilateralism (Palgrave Macmillan), pp. 57–112.

In 1983, at the international conference held in Dhaka by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of the inner seven countries adopted the Declaration on South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and formally launched the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas of cooperation, namely, Agriculture; Rural Development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Health and Population Activities.{{cite web |url=http://jang.com.pk/important_events/saarc_2004/history.html |title=History and Evolution of SAARC |work=Jang Media Research Unit |access-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111092417/http://jang.com.pk/important_events/saarc_2004/history.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}{{cite web|title=South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) {{!}} Treaties & Regimes {{!}} NTI|url=https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/south-asian-association-regional-cooperation-saarc/|access-date=13 September 2020|website=www.nti.org|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327195017/https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/south-asian-association-regional-cooperation-saarc/|url-status=live}}

Officially, the union was established in Dhaka with Kathmandu being the union's secretariat-general.{{cite web |url=http://www.mohe.gov.af/saarc.afg/about%20us.html |title=About SAARC |website=SAARC Secretariat |access-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111090614/http://www.mohe.gov.af/saarc.afg/about%20us.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 }} The first SAARC summit was held in Dhaka on 7–8 December 1985 and hosted by the President of Bangladesh Hussain Ershad.{{cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/userfiles/01-Dhaka-1stSummit1985.pdf |title=1st Summit Declaration |work=SAARC Secretariat |access-date=10 November 2013 |archive-date=7 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607131812/http://www.saarc-sec.org/userfiles/01-Dhaka-1stSummit1985.pdf |url-status=dead }} The declaration was signed by, namely, King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk; President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq; Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi; King of Nepal Birendra Shah; President of Sri Lanka JR Jayewardene; and President of Maldives Maumoon Gayoom.

Economic data is sourced from the International Monetary Fund, current as of November 2024 unless stated otherwise, and is given in US dollars.{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=54&pr.y=16&sy=2013&ey=2015&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512,556,513,514,558,564,524,534&s=NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPGDP,PPPPC,LUR,LP,GGX&grp=0&a=|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects|work=World Economic Outlook Database|date=April 2015|publisher=International Monetary Fund|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702045214/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=54&pr.y=16&sy=2013&ey=2015&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512,556,513,514,558,564,524,534&s=NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPGDP,PPPPC,LUR,LP,GGX&grp=0&a=|url-status=dead }}

The member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.{{cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/ |title=South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation |website=SAARC Secretariat |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228044459/http://www.saarc-sec.org/ |url-status=live }}

SAARC was founded by seven states in 1985. In 2005, Afghanistan began negotiating their accession to SAARC and formally applied for membership in the same year.{{cite news |date=28 August 2005 |title=Afghanistan keen to join SAARC |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/28afghan3.htm |newspaper=rediff web services |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111112752/http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/28afghan3.htm |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=4 April 2004 |title=Afghanistan inducted as 8th member: 14th Saarc summit begins |url=http://dawn.com/news/240651/afghanistan-inducted-as-8th-member-14th-saarc-summit-begins |newspaper=Dawn |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111114051/http://dawn.com/news/240651/afghanistan-inducted-as-8th-member-14th-saarc-summit-begins |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}} The issue of Afghanistan joining SAARC generated a great deal of debate in each member state, including concerns about the definition of South Asian identity{{cite book |last=Sáez |first=Lawrence |date=2012 |title=The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): An emerging collaboration architecture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yTzKWI42uR4C&pg=PT58 |publisher=Routledge |location=Abingdon, Oxon |pages=58– |isbn=978-1-136-67108-1}} because Afghanistan is considered a Central Asian country, while it is neither accepted as a Middle Eastern country, nor as a Central Asian country, or as part of the Indian subcontinent, other than being only in part of South Asia.{{cite book |author1=Ewan W. Anderson |author2=Liam D. Anderson |title=An Atlas of Middle Eastern Affairs |date=4 December 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n-VJAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA5 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-64862-5 |page=5}}, Quote: "To the east, Iran, as a Gulf state, offers a generally accepted limit to the Middle East. However, Afghanistan, also a Muslim state, is then left in isolation. It is not accepted as a part of Central Asia and it is clearly not part of the Indian subcontinent".

SAARC member states imposed a stipulation for Afghanistan to hold a general election; the non-partisan elections were held in late 2005. Despite initial reluctance and internal debates, Afghanistan joined SAARC as its eighth member state in April 2007.O'Rourke, Breffni. "[https://www.rferl.org/a/1075660.html South Asia: Afghanistan Joins World's Largest Regional Grouping] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031082350/https://www.rferl.org/a/1075660.html |date=31 October 2020 }}." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 3 April 2007.

Despite the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021, Afghanistan is still a member of SAARC, despite calls for their suspension and none of the other SAARC members recognizing the Taliban government.{{cite web |title=Making a case for suspending Afghanistan from SAARC to prevent the crippling of the organisation |url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/suspending-afghanistan-from-saarc-and-international-law/ |website=Observer Research Foundation |access-date=5 October 2023 |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126160230/https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/suspending-afghanistan-from-saarc-and-international-law |url-status=live }} The issue was further exasperated as it was Afghanistan's turn to select a Secretary General for SAARC in 2023. All other members decided to skip Afghanistan and award the selection to Bangladesh, with Nepali foreign secretary, Bharat Raj Paudyal, stating that "When the term of the Bangladeshi secretary general ends, if the problems in Afghanistan are resolved, the new secretary general will be from Afghanistan, not from Bhutan."{{cite web |title=SAARC Secretary General Position not awarded to Afghanistan |url=https://theprint.in/world/saarc-secretary-general-position-not-awarded-to-afghanistan/1437279/ |website=ThePrint |access-date=5 October 2023 |date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603070012/https://theprint.in/world/saarc-secretary-general-position-not-awarded-to-afghanistan/1437279/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bangladesh will get to pick new Saarc secretary general |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/02/19/bangladesh-will-get-to-pick-new-saarc-secretary-general |website=kathmandu post |access-date=5 October 2023 |language=English |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322225954/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/02/19/bangladesh-will-get-to-pick-new-saarc-secretary-general |url-status=live }}

States with observer status include{{cite web |url=http://saarc-sec.org/Cooperation-with-Observers/13/ |title=Cooperation with Observers |website=SAARC Secretariat |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-date=25 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225211433/http://www.saarc-sec.org/Cooperation-with-Observers/13/ |url-status=dead }} Australia,{{cite web |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/July3042729CH.html |title=Sri Lanka, 7 - 30 - 2008: Australia and Myanmar to admit as SAARC observers - Sri Lanka official |work=ColomboPage |access-date=31 July 2008 |archive-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602171703/http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/July3042729CH.html |url-status=dead }} China, the European Union, Iran, Japan,{{cite news |url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a6Za3za.9amal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20060802 |title=SAARC To Grant Observer Status To US, S Korea, EU |access-date=2 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209052654/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a6Za3za.9amal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20060802 |work=The Himalayan Times |archive-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead}} Mauritius,{{cite news |url=http://www.island.lk/2008/07/23/news2.html |title=Australia, Myanmar seek SAARC observer status |work=The Island |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710212555/http://www.island.lk/2008/07/23/news2.html |archive-date=10 July 2020}} Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/Cooperation-with-Observers/13/ |title=Cooperation with Observers |website=SAARC Secretariat |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-date=25 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225211433/http://www.saarc-sec.org/Cooperation-with-Observers/13/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://saarc-sec.org/external_relations/details/relations-with-observers |title=SAARC SECRETARIAT |website=saarc-sec.org |access-date=11 April 2020 |archive-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411062527/http://saarc-sec.org/external_relations/details/relations-with-observers |url-status=dead }}

China's 2007 application for observer status received strong support from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan.{{Cite book |last=Kelegama |first=Saman |url= |title=The new great game : China and South and Central Asia in the era of reform |date=2016 |publisher=Stanford University Press |others=Thomas Fingar |isbn=978-0-8047-9764-1 |location=Stanford, California |pages=192 |chapter=China as a Balancer in South Asia |oclc=939553543 |author-link=Saman Kelegama}} Other South Asian members of SAARC agreed to support China's observer status, but were not as strongly in favor.

On 2 August 2006, the foreign ministers of SAARC countries agreed in principle to grant observer status to three applicants;

[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=68654965-9d60-4718-ae85-82acf647aa45 "SAARC to grant observer status to US, S Korea, EU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210145826/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=68654965-9d60-4718-ae85-82acf647aa45 |date=10 December 2008 }} ." Hindustan Times. 2 August 2006.

the US and South Korea (both made requests in April 2006), as well as the European Union (requested in July 2006).

[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4900498.stm Waliur Rahman. "US and S Korea to observe SAARC." BBC News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412181955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4900498.stm |date=12 April 2006 }}, 11 April 2008.

On 4 March 2007, Iran requested observer status,{{cite news |date=4 March 2007 |title=Iran requests for observer status in SAARC |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-03/04/content_818998.htm |newspaper=China Daily |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924213057/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-03/04/content_818998.htm |url-status=live }} followed shortly by Mauritius.

Myanmar has expressed interest in upgrading its status from an observer to a full member of SAARC.{{cite web |url=http://www.orfonline.org/cms/sites/orfonline/modules/analysis/AnalysisDetail.html?cmaid=14854&mmacmaid=14855 |title=SAARC and Myanmar: Observer Research Foundation |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212141859/http://www.orfonline.org/cms/sites/orfonline/modules/analysis/AnalysisDetail.html?cmaid=14854&mmacmaid=14855 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead}} China has requested joining SAARC.{{Cite journal |last=Kumar |first=S. Y. Surendra |date=December 2015 |title=China's SAARC membership: The debate |url=https://icsum.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IJCSV6N3-FULL-ISSUE-1.pdf |journal=International Journal of China Studies |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=299–311 |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718161618/https://icsum.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IJCSV6N3-FULL-ISSUE-1.pdf |url-status=live }} Russia has applied for observer status membership of SAARC.{{cite news |date=16 February 2014 |title=Russia, Turkey seek observer status in SAARC |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/russia-turkey-seek-observer-status-in-saarc/articleshow/30517011.cms |work=The Economic Times |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623012720/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/russia-turkey-seek-observer-status-in-saarc/articleshow/30517011.cms |archive-date=23 June 2017}}

[http://www.cris.unu.edu/fileadmin/workingpapers/W-2008-8_01.pdf SAARC The Changing Dimensions: UNU-CRIS Working Papers United Nations University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020123535/http://www.cris.unu.edu/fileadmin/workingpapers/W-2008-8_01.pdf |date=20 October 2013 }} , Comparative Regional Integration Studies

[http://news.oneindia.in/2006/11/22/russia-keen-to-join-saarc-as-observer-1164200695.html Russia keen to join SAARC as observer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424213547/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/11/22/russia-keen-to-join-saarc-as-observer-1164200695.html |date=24 April 2013 }}, Oneindia News

Turkey applied for observer status membership of SAARC in 2012. South Africa has participated in meetings.{{cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/saarc-nations-call-for-transparency-in-social-sector_10024810.html |title=SAARC nations call for transparency in social sector |work=thaindian.com |access-date=7 March 2008 |archive-date=4 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404230053/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/saarc-nations-call-for-transparency-in-social-sector_10024810.html |url-status=dead }} Indonesia, Jordan, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Yemen have expressed interest.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

File:SAARC Secretariat at Kathmandu.JPG, Nepal]]

The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987 and was inaugurated by the late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal.{{cite news |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/07/26/fea01.asp |title=SAARC: Towards greater integration in South Asia |work=Daily News |access-date=5 June 2017 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807010226/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/07/26/fea01.asp |url-status=live }}

SAARC member states have created the following specialized bodies of SAARC in the member states which have special mandates and structures different from the regional centers. These bodies are managed by their respective governing boards composed of representatives from all the member states, the representative of H.E. secretary-general of SAARC and the ministry of foreign/external affairs of the host government. The heads of these bodies act as member secretary to the governing board which reports to the programming committee of SAARC.

The SAARC Secretariat is supported by following Regional Centres established in the Member States to promote regional co-operation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising representatives from all the Member States, SAARC Secretary-General and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the Host Government. The Director of the Centre acts as Member Secretary to the Governing Board which reports to the Programming Committee. After 31 December 2015, there 6 regional centers were stopped by unanimous decision. These are SMRC, SFC, SDC, SCZMC, SIC, SHRDC.{{cite web |url=http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-regional-centres |title=Saarc Secretariat |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809040239/http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-regional-centres |archive-date=9 August 2017 |url-status=live}}

Source:http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-regional-centres {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809040239/http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-regional-centres |date=9 August 2017 }}

SAARC does not have an official anthem as yet like some other regional organizations (e.g. ASEAN).

[http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/will-saarc-have-an-anthem-like-asean/article1-1281988.aspx#sthash.PjRuwc4J.dpuf Will SAARC have an anthem-like ASEAN?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104203101/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/will-saarc-have-an-anthem-like-asean/article1-1281988.aspx#sthash.PjRuwc4J.dpuf |date=4 November 2014 }} Hindustan Times, 3 November 2014

SAARC has six Apex Bodies,{{cite web|url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/14/|title=South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation — Apex and Recognised Bodies|work=saarc-sec.org|access-date=28 May 2013|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530142634/http://saarc-sec.org/Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/14/|url-status=dead}} they are:

• SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI),
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law (SAARCLAW),{{cite web|url=http://www.saarclaw.org/index.php|title=SAARCLAW — South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law|work=saarclaw.org|access-date=9 June 2013|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806201822/http://www.saarclaw.org/index.php|url-status=live}}
• South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA),
• South Asia Foundation (SAF),
• South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC),
• Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)

SAARC also has about 18 recognized bodies.{{cite web |url=http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-recognized-bodies |title=SAARC Recognized Bodies |website=SAARC Secretariat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403192809/http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-recognized-bodies |archive-date=3 April 2017}}

The SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) is a regional organization established to enhance disaster risk management and response within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states. Its primary objective is to provide policy advice, technical support, capacity building, and training for comprehensive disaster risk management in the region.

SAARC SDMC

Key Functions:

• Policy Advice and Technical Support: SDMC offers guidance on disaster management policies and assists in developing systems to improve disaster resilience.
• Capacity Building and Training: The center conducts training programs and workshops to strengthen the disaster management capabilities of member states.
• Information Exchange: Facilitates the sharing of information and expertise among member countries to enhance collaborative disaster risk management efforts.

Initiatives:

• South Asian Disaster Knowledge Network: A platform for sharing disaster-related information and best practices across the region.
• South Asia Digital Vulnerability Atlas (SADVA): An initiative aimed at mapping and analyzing disaster vulnerabilities in South Asia.

Lasting peace and prosperity in South Asia has been elusive because of the various ongoing conflicts in the region. Political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings which have refrained from interfering in the internal matters of its member states.See for this aspect Michael, Arndt (2013). Sovereignty vs. Security: SAARC and its Role in the Regional Security Architecture in South Asia. Harvard Asia Quarterly Summer 2013, Vol. VX, No.2: 37-45 During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extreme emphasis was laid upon greater cooperation between SAARC members to fight terrorism.{{cite book |last=Jhawar |first=Shiv |date=2004 |title=Building a Noble World |page=44 |publisher=Noble World Foundation |isbn=978-0-9749197-0-6}}{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/|title=The Nobel Peace Prize for 2012|access-date=12 October 2012|archive-date=5 April 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405023917/http://nobelprize.org/|url-status=live}}

The 19th SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan was called off as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan decided to boycott it due to a terrorist attack on an army camp in Uri.{{cite web |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/116144-SAARC-conference-in-Pakistan-postponed-confirm-official-sources |title=SAARC conference in Pakistan postponed |access-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210001802/https://www.geo.tv/latest/116144-SAARC-conference-in-Pakistan-postponed-confirm-official-sources |archive-date=10 February 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/dhaka-kabul-thimphu-too-blame-islamabad-saarc-summit-to-be-called-off-3054953/ |title=SAARC summit to be called off as Dhaka, Kabul and Thimphu too slam Islamabad |work=The Indian Express |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226165027/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/dhaka-kabul-thimphu-too-blame-islamabad-saarc-summit-to-be-called-off-3054953/ |archive-date=26 December 2016 |url-status=live }} It was the first time that four countries boycotted a SAARC summit, leading to its cancellation.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/saarc-summit-collapses-after-india-and-3-other-members-pull-out/story-kIMWfSqirGLzB6MEfuS3CN.html |title=Saarc summit collapses after India and three other members pull out |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028090857/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/saarc-summit-collapses-after-india-and-3-other-members-pull-out/story-kIMWfSqirGLzB6MEfuS3CN.html |archive-date=28 October 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1286684 |title=Saarc summit in Pakistan postponed after member states pull out |work=Dawn |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201081742/http://www.dawn.com/news/1286684 |archive-date=1 February 2017 |url-status=live }}

SAARC has generally been ineffective at achieving enhanced regionalism.{{Cite book |last=Kelegama |first=Saman |url= |title=The new great game : China and South and Central Asia in the era of reform |date=2016 |publisher=Stanford University Press |others=Thomas Fingar |isbn=978-0-8047-9764-1 |location=Stanford, California |pages=191 |chapter=China as a Balancer in South Asia |oclc=939553543 |author-link=Saman Kelegama}}

File:SAARC.PNG{{See also|South Asian Free Trade Area}}

The SAFTA was envisaged primarily as the first step towards the transition to a South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) leading subsequently towards a Customs Union, Common Market and the Economic Union. In 1995, Sixteenth session of the Council of Ministers (New Delhi, 18–19 December 1995) agreed on the need to strive for the realization of SAFTA and to this end, an Inter-Governmental Expert Group (IGEG) was set up in 1996 to identify the necessary steps for progressing to a free trade area. The Tenth SAARC Summit (Colombo, 29–31 July 1998) decided to set up a Committee of Experts (COE) to draft a comprehensive treaty framework for creating a free trade area within the region, taking into consideration the asymmetries in development within the region and bearing in mind the need to fix realistic and achievable targets.

The SAFTA Agreement was signed on 6 January 2004 during Twelfth SAARC Summit held in Islamabad, Pakistan.{{cite web |url=https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/download/2977.pdf |title=Challenges and opportunities for Pakistan under SAFTA |first1=Asif |last1=Maqbool |first2=Muhammad Waqas Alam |last2=Chattha |first3=Masood |last3=Azeem |access-date=27 January 2022 |archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109165035/https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/download/2977.pdf |url-status=live }} The Agreement entered into force on 1 January 2006, and the Trade Liberalization Programme commenced from 1 July 2006.{{cite web |url=https://commerce.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/safta.pdf |title=Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) |website=Department of Commerce |access-date=9 January 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408062712/https://commerce.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/safta.pdf |url-status=live }} Under this agreement, SAARC members will bring their duties down to 20 percent by 2009. Following the Agreement coming into force the SAFTA Ministerial Council (SMC) has been established comprising the Commerce Ministers of the Member States.{{cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/areaofcooperation/detail.php?activity_id=5 |title=South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation — Area of Cooperation |work=saarc-sec.org |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408103413/http://www.saarc-sec.org/areaofcooperation/detail.php?activity_id=5 |url-status=dead }} In 2012 SAARC exports increased substantially to $354.6 billion from $206.7 billion in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.eximbankindia.in/Assets/Dynamic/PDF/Publication-Resources/ResearchPapers/43file.pdf |title=Potential for Enhancing Intra-SAARC Trade: A Brief Analysis |website=Export-Import Bank of India |access-date=9 January 2022 |archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109165036/https://www.eximbankindia.in/Assets/Dynamic/PDF/Publication-Resources/ResearchPapers/43file.pdf |url-status=live }} Imports too increased from $330 billion to $602 billion over the same period. But the intra-SAARC trade amounts to just a little over 1% of SAARC's GDP. In contrast to SAARC, in ASEAN (which is actually smaller than SAARC in terms of the size of the economy) the intra-bloc trade stands at 10% of its GDP.

The SAFTA was envisaged to gradually move towards the South Asian Economic Union, but the current intra-regional trade and investment relation are not encouraging and it may be difficult to achieve this target. SAARC intra-regional trade stands at just five percent on the share of intra-regional trade in overall trade in South Asia. Similarly, foreign direct investment is also dismal. The intra-regional FDI flow stands at around four percent of the total foreign investment.{{cite news |url=http://thehimalayantimes.com/business/safta-meet-likely-next-month/ |title=SAFTA meet likely next month |work=The Himalayan Times |date=25 March 2016 |access-date=22 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202035248/http://thehimalayantimes.com/business/safta-meet-likely-next-month/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live }}

The Asian Development Bank has estimated that inter-regional trade in SAARC region possessed the potential of shooting up agricultural exports by $14 billion per year from existing level of $8 billion to $22 billion. The study by Asian Development Bank states that against the potential average SAARC intra-regional trade of $22 billion per year, the actual trade in South Asia has been only around $8 billion. The uncaptured potential for intra-regional trade is therefore $14 billion per year, i.e., 68%.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/142861-ADB-urges-Safta-to-exploit-rich-trade-potential-of-member-countries |title=ADB urges Safta to exploit rich trade potential of member countries |work=The News International |access-date=22 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004901/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/142861-ADB-urges-Safta-to-exploit-rich-trade-potential-of-member-countries |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Coming-closer-together-for-trade/article14628676.ece |title=Coming closer together for trade |newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 September 2016 |last1=Ranjan |first1=Prabhash |access-date=22 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203104015/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Coming-closer-together-for-trade/article14628676.ece |archive-date=3 December 2016 |url-status=live }}

The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 1992. The leaders at the Fourth Summit (Islamabad, 29–31 December 1988), realizing the importance of people-to-people contact among SAARC countries, decided that certain categories of dignitaries should be entitled to a Special Travel document. The document would exempt them from visas within the region. As directed by the Summit, the Council of Ministers regularly kept under review the list of entitled categories.

Currently, the list included 24 categories of entitled persons, which include dignitaries, judges of higher courts, parliamentarians, senior officials, entrepreneurs, journalists, and athletes.

The Visa Stickers are issued by the respective Member States to the entitled categories of that particular country. The validity of the Visa Sticker is generally for one year. The implementation is reviewed regularly by the Immigration Authorities of SAARC Member States.{{cite web|url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Visa-Exemption-Scheme/100/|title=South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation — SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme|work=saarc-sec.org|access-date=18 November 2012|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806231500/http://www.saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Visa-Exemption-Scheme/100/|url-status=dead}}

The Twelfth (12th) Summit approved the SAARC Award to support individuals and organizations within the region. The main aims of the SAARC Award are:

• To encourage individuals and organizations based in South Asia to undertake programmes and activities that complement the efforts of SAARC.
• To encourage individuals and organizations in South Asia contributing to bettering the conditions of women and children.
• To honour outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals and organizations within the region in the fields of peace, development, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and regional cooperation.
• To honour any other contributions and achievement not covered above of individuals and organizations in the region.

The SAARC Award consists of a gold medal, a letter of citation, and cash prize of $25,000. Since the institution of the SAARC Award in 2004, it has been awarded only once and the Award was posthumously conferred upon the late President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Award/70/|title=South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation — SAARC Award|work=saarc-sec.org|access-date=18 November 2012|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807065120/http://www.saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Award/70/|url-status=dead}}

File:Recipants of SAARC Literary Award 2013.jpg

The SAARC Literary Award is an annual award conferred by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) since 2001{{cite web |url=http://www.foundationsaarcwriters.com/literature/saarc-literary-awards |title=SAARC Literary Awards |access-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103223413/http://www.foundationsaarcwriters.com/literature/saarc-literary-awards |archive-date=3 November 2013 |website=Foundation Of SAARC Writers And Literature}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/books/five-writers-honoured-at-saarc-literature-festival/article1-1024426.aspx |title=Five writers honoured at SAARC Literature Festival |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110215810/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/books/five-writers-honoured-at-saarc-literature-festival/article1-1024426.aspx |archive-date=10 November 2013}} Five Writers honoured at SAARC Litearure Festival, Hindustan Times 11 March 2013 which is an apex SAARC body.{{cite web |url=http://www.saarc-sec.org/Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/14/ |title=Apex and Recognised Bodies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530142634/http://saarc-sec.org/Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/14/ |archive-date=30 May 2013 |website=SAARC}} Some of the prominent recipients of this award include Shamshur Rahman, Mahasweta Devi, Jayanta Mahapatra, Abhi Subedi, Mark Tully, Sitakant Mahapatra, Uday Prakash, Suman Pokhrel, and Abhay K.

[http://news.oneindia.in/2007/03/30/mahashweta-devi-to-get-saarc-literary-award-1175266266.html Mahasweta Devi to get SAARC Literary Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104051442/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/03/30/mahashweta-devi-to-get-saarc-literary-award-1175266266.html |date=4 November 2013 }} Oneindia.in 30 March 2007

Nepali poet, lyricist, and translator Suman Pokhrel is the only poet/writer to be awarded twice.Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Saturday, 14 February 2015

The SAARC Youth Award is awarded to outstanding individuals from the SAARC region. The award is notable because of the recognition it gives to the Award winner in the SAARC region. The award is based on specific themes which apply to each year. The award recognizes and promotes the commitment and talent of the youth who give back to the world at large through various initiatives such as Inventions, Protection of the Environment and Disaster relief. The recipients who receive this award are ones who have dedicated their lives to their individual causes to improve situations in their own countries as well as paving a path for the SAARC region to follow.

The Committee for the SAARC Youth Award selects the best candidate based on his/her merits and their decision is final.{{cite web |url=http://saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Youth-Award/71/ |title=SAARC Youth Award |access-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202222019/http://www.saarc-sec.org/SAARC-Youth-Award/71/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}

Previous Winners:

• 1992: World Population Issue and Welfare - Painting; - Devang Soparkar (India)
• 1997: Outstanding Social Service in Community Welfare – Sukur Salek (Bangladesh)
• 1998: New Inventions and Shanu — Najmul Hasnain Shah (Pakistan)
• 2001: Creative Photography: South Asian Diversity – Mushfiqul Alam (Bangladesh)
• 2002: Outstanding contribution to protect the Environment – Masil Khan (Pakistan)
• 2003: Invention in the Field of Traditional Medicine – Hassan Sher (Pakistan)
• 2004: Outstanding contribution to raising awareness of TB and/or HIV/AIDS – Ajij Prasad Poudyal (Nepal)
• 2006: Promotion of Tourism in South Asia – Syed Zafar Abbas Naqvi (Pakistan)
• 2008: Protecting the Environment in South Asia – Deepani Jayantha (Sri Lanka)
• 2009: Outstanding contribution to humanitarian works in the aftermath of Natural Disasters – Ravikant Singh (India)
• 2010: Outstanding contribution for the Protection of Environment and mitigation of Climate Change – Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne (Sri Lanka)
• 2011: Youth leadership in the fight against social ills - Mr. Mohamed Faseen Rafiu (The Maldives){{Cite web |title=SAARC Youth Awards |url=https://www.saarc-sec.org/index.php/resources/announcement/saarc-youth-awards |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=saarc-sec.org |date=3 September 2020 |language=en-gb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019063411/https://www.saarc-sec.org/index.php/resources/announcement/saarc-youth-awards |archive-date=19 October 2021}}

{{Main|List of SAARC summits}}

Leaders are either heads of state or heads of government, depending on which is constitutionally the chief executive of the nation's government.

{{gallery|align=center|whitebg=no|width=150|height=200|noborder=yes|File:Hibatullah Akhundzada OCS wordmark.png|{{flag|Afghanistan|2013}}
Hibatullah Akhundzada
Supreme Leader of Afghanistan
{{resize|(de facto)}}

|File:Muhammad Yunus at the UNGA79 - 2024 (cropped).jpg|{{flag|Bangladesh|name=People's Republic of Bangladesh}}
Muhammad Yunus
Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh

|File:Dasho Tshering Tobgay.jpg|{{flag|Bhutan|name=Kingdom of Bhutan}}
Tshering Tobgay
Prime Minister of Bhutan

|File:Official Photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Potrait.png|{{flag|Republic of India}}
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India

|File:Dr Mohamed Muizzu portrait.jpg|{{flag|Maldives|name=Republic of Maldives}}
Mohamed Muizzu
President of the Maldives

|File:The Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri KP Sharma Oli at Bangkok, in Thailand on April 04, 2025 (crop).jpg|{{flag|Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal}}
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Prime Minister of Nepal

|File:Shehbaz Sharif 2023 (cropped).jpg|{{flag|Islamic Republic of Pakistan}}
Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister of Pakistan

|File:President of Sri Lanka Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayak, Official portrait (December 2024).jpg|{{flag|Sri Lanka|name=Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka}}
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President of Sri Lanka

}}

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