South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

South Africa has participated in meetings.

Perspective from a world bound by a myriad of bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral agreements.

Asia emerging as a major hub in world commerce – Asia emerging as a major hub in world commerce – indicated by rising indicated by rising share of merchandise and services tradeshare of merchandise and services trade

The concept of SAARC was first adopted by The concept of SAARC was first adopted by Bangladesh during 1977, under  during 1977, under the administration of the administration of President Ziaur Rahman..

In the late 1970s, SAARC nations agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc In the late 1970s, SAARC nations agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc consisting of South Asian countries. The idea of regional cooperation in South consisting of South Asian countries. The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was again mooted in May 1980. The foreign secretaries of the seven Asia was again mooted in May 1980. The foreign secretaries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. The Committee of countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. The Committee of the Whole, which met in Colombo in August 1985, identified five broad areas the Whole, which met in Colombo in August 1985, identified five broad areas for regional cooperation. New areas of cooperation were added in the following for regional cooperation. New areas of cooperation were added in the following yearsyears

The The South Asian Association for Regional CooperationSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ( (SAARCSAARC) is an ) is an organization of organization of South Asian nations, founded in December 1985 by  nations, founded in December 1985 by Ziaur Rahman and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and  and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development emphasising collective self-reliance.cultural development emphasising collective self-reliance.

The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first mooted in May The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first mooted in May 1980. After consultations, the Foreign Secretaries of the seven countries 1980. After consultations, the Foreign Secretaries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. This was followed by a met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. This was followed by a meeting of the Committee of the Whole in Colombo in August-September meeting of the Committee of the Whole in Colombo in August-September 1981, which identified five broad areas for regional cooperation. 1981, which identified five broad areas for regional cooperation.

The Foreign Ministers of South Asia, at their first meeting in New Delhi in The Foreign Ministers of South Asia, at their first meeting in New Delhi in August 1983, adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional August 1983, adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation (SARC) and formally launched the Integrated Programme of Cooperation (SARC) and formally launched the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas of cooperation namely, Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas of cooperation namely, Agriculture; Rural Development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Agriculture; Rural Development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Health and Population Activities.Health and Population Activities.

Abul Ahsan

Kant Kishore Bhargava

Ibrahim Hussain Zaki

Yadav Kant Silwal

Naeem U. Hasan

Nihal Rodrigo

January 16, 1987 to 15 October 1989

October 17, 1989 to December 31, 1991

January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1993

January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1995

January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998

January 1, 1999 to January 10, 2002

Q.A.M.A. Rahim

Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji

January 11, 2002 to February 28, 2005

March 1, 2005 to February 29, 2008

Sheel Kant Sharma March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2011

Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed March 1, 2005 to February 29, 2008

To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;their quality of life;

To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential;to live in dignity and to realize their full potential;

To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;of South Asia;

To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems;another’s problems;

To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;

To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries; To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on

matters of common interests; andmatters of common interests; and To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar

aims and purposes.aims and purposes.

Cooperation within the framework of the Association is based on respect Cooperation within the framework of the Association is based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, noninterference in the internal affairs of other States and independence, noninterference in the internal affairs of other States and mutual benefit;mutual benefit;

Such cooperation is to complement and not to substitute bilateral or Such cooperation is to complement and not to substitute bilateral or multilateral cooperation; andmultilateral cooperation; and

Such cooperation should be consistent with bilateral and multilateral Such cooperation should be consistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations of Member States.obligations of Member States.

General ProvisionsGeneral Provisions Decisions at all levels in SAARC are to be taken on the basis of Decisions at all levels in SAARC are to be taken on the basis of

unanimity; andunanimity; and Bilateral and contentious issues are to be excluded from the deliberations Bilateral and contentious issues are to be excluded from the deliberations

of the Association.of the Association.

The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987 and The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987 and was inaugurated by Late King was inaugurated by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal..

It is headed by a Secretary General appointed by the Council of Ministers from It is headed by a Secretary General appointed by the Council of Ministers from Member Countries in alphabetical order for a three-year term.Member Countries in alphabetical order for a three-year term. He is assisted by He is assisted by the Professional and the General Services Staff, and also an appropriate number the Professional and the General Services Staff, and also an appropriate number of functional units called Divisions assigned to Directors on deputation from of functional units called Divisions assigned to Directors on deputation from Member States.Member States. The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of activities, prepares for and services meetings, and serves as a channel of activities, prepares for and services meetings, and serves as a channel of communication between the Association and its Member States as well as other communication between the Association and its Member States as well as other regional organizations.regional organizations.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the SecretariatThe Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Secretariat

which was signed by Foreign Ministers of member countries on 17 November which was signed by Foreign Ministers of member countries on 17 November 1986 at Bangalore, India contains various clauses concerning the role, structure 1986 at Bangalore, India contains various clauses concerning the role, structure and administration of the SAARC Secretariat as well as the powers of the and administration of the SAARC Secretariat as well as the powers of the Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General.

Motivation for greater integration in S Asia – economic and non-economic gains (strategic, dynamic, ecological)

SAARC economies have been pursuing liberalization & looking towards SAARC economies have been pursuing liberalization & looking towards greater Asia through bilateral FTAsgreater Asia through bilateral FTAs

Over the years, the SAARC members have expressed their unwillingness Over the years, the SAARC members have expressed their unwillingness on signing a free trade agreement. Though India has several trade pacts on signing a free trade agreement. Though India has several trade pacts with Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, similar trade agreements with Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, similar trade agreements with Pakistan and Bangladesh have been stalled due to political and with Pakistan and Bangladesh have been stalled due to political and economic concerns on both sides. In 1993, SAARC countries signed an economic concerns on both sides. In 1993, SAARC countries signed an agreement to gradually lower tariffs within the region, in agreement to gradually lower tariffs within the region, in Dhaka. Eleven . Eleven years later, at the 12th SAARC Summit at years later, at the 12th SAARC Summit at Islamabad, SAARC countries , SAARC countries devised the devised the South Asia Free Trade Agreement which created a  which created a framework for the establishment of a framework for the establishment of a free trade area covering 1.6 billion  covering 1.6 billion people. This agreement went into force on January 1, 2006. Under this people. This agreement went into force on January 1, 2006. Under this agreement, SAARC members will bring their duties down to 20 per cent agreement, SAARC members will bring their duties down to 20 per cent by 2009.by 2009.

SAARC has intentionally laid more stress on "core issues" mentioned SAARC has intentionally laid more stress on "core issues" mentioned above rather than more decisive political issues like the Kashmir above rather than more decisive political issues like the Kashmir dispute and the Sri Lankan civil war. However, political dialogue is often dispute and the Sri Lankan civil war. However, political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings. SAARC has also conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings. SAARC has also refrained itself from interfering in the internal matters of its member refrained itself from interfering in the internal matters of its member states. During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extreme emphasis states. During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extreme emphasis was laid upon greater cooperation between the SAARC members to was laid upon greater cooperation between the SAARC members to fight terrorism.fight terrorism.

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

Previous Winners:Previous Winners:

1997: Outstanding Social Service in Community Welfare - Mr. Md. Sukur Salek 1997: Outstanding Social Service in Community Welfare - Mr. Md. Sukur Salek (Bangladesh)(Bangladesh)

1998: New Inventions and Discoveries - Dr. Najmul Hasnain Shah (Pakistan)1998: New Inventions and Discoveries - Dr. Najmul Hasnain Shah (Pakistan)

2001: Creative Photography: South Asian Diversity - Mr. Mushfiqul Alam (Bangladesh)2001: Creative Photography: South Asian Diversity - Mr. Mushfiqul Alam (Bangladesh)

2002: Outstanding contribution to protect the Environment - Dr. Masil Khan (Pakistan)2002: Outstanding contribution to protect the Environment - Dr. Masil Khan (Pakistan)

2003: Invention in the Field of Traditional Medicine - Mr. Hassan Sher (Pakistan)2003: Invention in the Field of Traditional Medicine - Mr. Hassan Sher (Pakistan)

2004: Outstanding contribution to raising awareness for TB and/or HIV/AIDS - Mr. Ajij 2004: Outstanding contribution to raising awareness for TB and/or HIV/AIDS - Mr. Ajij Prasad Poudyal (Nepal)Prasad Poudyal (Nepal)

2006: Promotion of Tourism in South Asia - Mr. Syed Zafar Abbas Naqvi (Pakistan)2006: Promotion of Tourism in South Asia - Mr. Syed Zafar Abbas Naqvi (Pakistan)

2008: From Himalayan glaciers to verdant plains to coral reefs – protecting the Environment 2008: From Himalayan glaciers to verdant plains to coral reefs – protecting the Environment in South Asia - Ms. Uswatta Liyanage Deepani Jayantha (Sri Lanka)in South Asia - Ms. Uswatta Liyanage Deepani Jayantha (Sri Lanka)

2009: Outstanding contribution to humanitarian works in the aftermath of Natural Disasters 2009: Outstanding contribution to humanitarian works in the aftermath of Natural Disasters - Dr. Ravikant Singh (India)- Dr. Ravikant Singh (India)

2010: Outstanding contribution for the Protection of Environment and mitigation of Climate 2010: Outstanding contribution for the Protection of Environment and mitigation of Climate Change - Ms. Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne (Sri Lanka)Change - Ms. Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne (Sri Lanka)

No Date Country Host Host leader

1st 7–8 December 1985  Bangladesh Dhaka Ataur Rahman Khan

2nd 16–17 November 1986  India Bangalore Rajiv Gandhi

3rd 2–4 November 1987  Nepal Kathmandu Marich Man Singh Shrestha

4th 29–31 December 1988  Pakistan Islamabad Benazir Bhutto

5th 21–23 November 1990  Maldives Malé Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

6th 21 December 1991  Sri Lanka Colombo Ranasinghe Premadasa

7th 10-11 April 1993  Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia

8th 2–4 May 1995  India New Delhi P. V. Narasimha Rao

9th 12–14 May 1997  Maldives Malé Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

10th 29–31 July 1998  Sri Lanka ColomboSirimavo Ratwatte Dias

Bandaranaike

11th 4–6 January 2002  Nepal Kathmandu Sher Bahadur Deuba

12th 2–6 January 2004  Pakistan Islamabad Zafarullah Khan Jamali

13th 12–13 November 2005  Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia

14th 3–4 April 2007  India New Delhi Manmohan Singh

15th 1–3 August 2008  Sri Lanka Colombo Ratnasiri Wickremanayake

16th 28–29 April 2010  Bhutan Thimphu Jigme Thinley

17th 10-11 November 2011[9]  Maldives Addu Mohamed Nasheed

18th 2013 [10]  Nepal Kathmandu Baburam Bhattarai

•Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his address to the 17th SAARC Summit has stressed on better economic cooperation in South Asia.

•Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (right) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani after a meeting during the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Addu.

•Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bows in front of a flag of India and Maldives during a guard of honor after his arrival in Addu, Maldives