Political Analysis:SAARC

Reasons include:  

•Lack of trust between the two major countries India and Pakistan, due to cross -border 

terrorist activities, among others, has further weakened SAARC. 

•SAARC does not have any arrangement for resolving disputes or mediating conflicts. 

•SAARC’s decision making based on the principle of unanimity has allowed countries to hold back progress of many initiatives e.g. Initiatives such as the SAARC–Motor Vehicle 

Agreement fell through and India’s proposal for SAARC satellite was abandoned following Pakistan’s objections.

•SAARC countries have witnessed internal instability making them less focussed on regional 

issues at various times. 

•Shortage of resources, and countries have been reluctant to increase their 

contributions. 

• Given SAARC’s failures, member countries have turned to bilateralism, which in turn has adversely 

affected the organisation.

#SAARC