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SAARC

Made by: Ms. Mandovi Srivastava Ms. Pranoti Bankar

Introduction
I.

II.

III.
IV. V. VI. VII.

VIII.

South Asia I.a)Geographic location I.b)History Evolution SAARC Objectives Members Areas of Cooperation SAPTA Conclusion

South Asia

South Asia or Southern Asia is a southern geopolitical region of the Asian continent It comprises territories on and in proximity to the Indian subcontinent. It is surrounded by (from west to east) Western Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, and Southeastern Asia.

Geographic Location

History

The people of the region possess several distinguishing features that set them apart anthropologically from the rest of Asia The dominant cultures are Indo-Aryan and Dravidian, and have a greater affinity with Europe than with most other regions of Asia, except the Iranian Plateau and the Caucasus South Asia ranks among the world's most densely-populated regions. The region's population density of 305 persons per square kilometre. Ancient civilizations developed in the Dwaraka region and the Indus River Valley The region was at its most prosperous before the 18th century,when the Mughal Empire held sway in the north European colonialism led by Portugal,Holland(current The Netherlands),Britain and France led to a new conquering of the region Most of the region gained independence from Europe in the late 1940s.

Evolution
The idea of regional cooperation was first mooted in November, 1980 by Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka,Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan promptly endorsed the Bangladeshs proposal

India and Pakistan were initially sceptical.

India had serious apprehensions that Bangladesh may have been pursuing US policy to counter the former U.S.S.R's influence

This regional forum may be used by the smaller states to gang up against her.

Pakistan was also apprehensive that the regional organization may be used against her by India by providing a regional market for Indian goods, consequentially consolidating India's economic dominance in the region.

After a series of diplomatic consultations, two principles were accepted on Indias insistence the organization would not discuss contentious bilateral issues all decisions would be taken on the basis of unanimity.

The first South Asian Foreign Ministers Conference was held in New Delhi during August, 1983, The integrated programme of Action (IPA) was launched It adopted a Declaration on Regional Cooperation, the formal beginning of South Asia Regional Cooperation(SARC) At the Dhaka Foreign Ministers meeting, decision was made to change the name from SARC to SAARC. Finally, SAARC was established on December 7-8, 1985,at the First SAARC Summit of the heads of seven South Asian States.

SAARC

SAARC provides a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. Cooperation in the SAARC is based on respect for the principles of:sovereign equality territorial integrity political independence non-interference in internal affairs of the Member States mutual benefit

Objectives
1)

2)

3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia. To contribute mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one anothers problems. To promote collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social,cultural, technical and scientific fields. To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries. To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest. To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

Members
CURRENT MEMBERS OBSERVERS POSSIBLE FUTURE MEMBERS

Afghanistan
Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Australia
China European Union Iran Japan Mauritius South Korea United States Of America

Public Republic of China


Indonesia Iran Russia South Africa

Areas of Cooperation
INTEGRATED PROGRAMME OF ACTION Agricultures REGIONAL INTEGRATED OF ACTION Agriculture and Rural Development

Rural development
Telecommunications Meteorology Health and Population Activities

Health and Population Activities


Women,Youth and Children Environment and Forestry Science and Technology and Meteorology

Transport
Postal Services Science and Technology Sports,Arts and Culture

Transport
Human Resource Development

SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement

The basic principles underlying SAPTA are:

overall reciprocity and mutuality of advantages so as to benefit equitably all Contracting States, taking into account their respective level of economic and industrial development, the pattern of their external trade, and trade and tariff policies and systems; negotiation of tariff reform step by step, improved and extended in successive stages through periodic reviews; recognition of the special needs of the Least Developed Contracting States and agreement on concrete preferential measures in their favour; inclusion of all products, manufactures and commodities in their raw, semiprocessed and processed forms.

Conclusion

proved a slow starter among other regional blocks and its performance is generally viewed as far below its potential. The major explanation is that SAARC has been hijacked and remained a political hostage to bilateral disputes between India and Pakistan. This spillover effects of the ethnic and religious conflicts had a serious impact on 16 summits held so far. SAARC provided a unique opportunity for informal bilateral discussions among the leaders and officials of member states on the fringes of summits and council meetings. Other major achievements of SAARC are namely SAPTA,SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry, SAARC Food Security Reserve,SAARC Regional Centres

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