Emergence of SAARC and India’s Role in

Its Formation

The Situation at the International level is changing very rapidly.

Constant rise in international tensions and continuous fear of nuclear holocaust
has added new dimensions to international relations. Among these one is the
forming of groups at regional levels on the basis of mutuality and cooperation.
Some security pacts like, NATO, SEATO and CENTO and economic
groupings like EEC, ASEAN are the example of such cooperative
organizations. There are two very important factors which led to regionalism:
first was emergence of as bio-polar system of international level and secondly
the emergence of former colonial countries as sovereign nation states. These
new countries are aiming to achieve socio-economic development. These
countries mostly are from Asia, Africa and Latin America. These new states
gave a joint call for New International Economic order (NIEO) because they
think that the existing economic order contributed to the consolidation and
concentration of economic power in a few nations. For this reason they tried to
realize the need of solidarity among themselves.
Regional cooperation is a long process and can not be achieved in a
short time. In Asia the history of regional cooperation is quite long. The need
of regional cooperation in Asia was first felt in 1905 after Japan’s victory over
Russia and the Japanese slogan ‘Asia for Asians’. But in reality Japan was
following the imperialistic policies against Burma, China and Korea. But all
these efforts didn’t bring any fruit.
Secondly, after the World War II, the need for peace plans was realized
again. This time these efforts started in the form of conferences. These
conferences were attended by most of the Asian countries. But there were some
problems which came in the way of cooperation. First among these was the
presence of diplomatic rivalries among these countries during these
conferences. In these conferences neither China nor India were ready to

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concede leadership to the other. Secondly, smaller countries were having
distrust of their more powerful neighbours. Thirdly, Pakistan’s alignment with
South West Asia and Islamic countries was also a hurdle. Fourthly, early aim
of these conferences was decolonization and the economic issues were not the
main concern. Fifthly, these conferences were dominated by Western powers
and they brought the issues of cold war into regional cooperation. Lastly, in the
first phase of Asian regionalism these countries were not clear about the precise
composition of regional cooperation.1
But in this respect the most important role was played by Late President
Zia-ur-Rehman of Bangladesh, who visited Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka during the period of 1977-78 to find out the possibilities of regional
cooperation among the South Asian Countries. In January 1978 President
Rahman visited Nepal and talked to King Birendra on the matter of regional
co-operation.2 In April 1979, he visited India and met the Prime Minister
Morarji Desai for the sake of regional co-operation. 3 Then in November 1979,
he went to Sri Lanka to meet the President Jayewardene on the same topic.4
After the detailed consultations on the topic, he addressed letters to the heads of
these states. Through this letter he invited all the heads for a summit meeting to
find out the potentialities of regional cooperation in South Asia. 5
In the meantime the North-South dialogue failed. In those new
circumstances South Asian leaders were compelled to think of ways and means
to handle the challenges. 6
So the only way out was regional cooperation. Secondly Soviet Union’s
military interventions in Afghanistan forced the leaders of region, to find out a
new source of common concern, anxiety and even security threat. Even US was
also interested in this regional cooperation, particularly with the objective to
check the military activities of Soviet Army. For this purpose US President
Jimmy Carter sent high level emissaries to India and Pakistan to persuade them
for a regional cooperation. US President also sent some officials to Bangladesh,
Nepal and Sri Lanka to advocate the regional approach. In India, Indira Gandhi
replaced Morarji Desai, Sri Lanka, Mrs. Bandaranaike took over as a President

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in place of Jayewardene and in Pakistan General Zia replaced Bhutto. All these
leaders were quite optimistic regarding regional cooperation and started efforts
in this direction. 7
Even then due to some internal problems of countries the announcement
regarding such cooperation was delayed. Bangladesh’s President, Rahman was
under pressure from the rightist forces to make a bold foreign policy.8 Pakistan
was facing legitimacy crisis and Sri Lanka was over shadowed by internal
ethnic crisis. Though India and Pakistan both were having problems with each,
other yet were concerned towards regional cooperation. India was doing so for
its economic and political compulsions. Economically, India wanted to develop
its industrial infrastructure and to expand its trade with South Asian countries.9
Politically, India could not afford to isolate itself from these new
developments of the region because of threats from Pakistan and China. For the
attainment of such goals, regional organization was the best possible
alternative. Pakistan was also aware of India’s dominance in the region. It
thought that such cooperation would provide more strength and it would try to
capture the markets of the region. Pakistan was also of the view that Carter
administration is helping India.10 But ultimately Pakistan had to accept the
proposal because it could not isolate itself in the region. Finally, Bangladesh
was given the responsibility of paper, which could be discussed at the first
meeting of foreign secretaries.11
In November, 1980 Bangladesh prepared ‘‘Working Paper”. In this
working paper eleven areas of cooperation were identified. These were
Telecommunications, meteorology, transport, shipping, tourism, agriculture
and rural sector, joint venture, market promotion in selected commodities,
scientific and technological cooperation, education and technical cooperation
and cultural cooperation. 12 It was also mentioned in the paper this cooperation
should be based on the respect of principles of sovereign equality, territorial
integrity, non-interference in internal affairs of other nations, non-use of force,
peaceful settlement of disputes and mutual benefit.13

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 On the basis of this draft the first meeting of the seven South Asian
Foreign Secretaries was held in Colombo from April 21 to 28, 1981.14 In this
meeting major conflicts arose among South Asian States. These conflicts were
regarding the institution of the regional cooperation. India and Pakistan were
against the institutional arrangement and small countries favoured this view.
Differences regarding areas of cooperation also arose. Pakistan was in favour
of only four areas of cooperation while small countries were in favour of
including maximum possible areas of cooperation. Foreign Secretaries of
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka raised the common apprehensions of all the small
states in the region of any possible dominance by New Delhi and In 1983
where they adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation
(SARC) would function for the common good of all states.15 It was decided in
the meeting that all the decisions will be taken unanimously. Apart from it, five
study groups were set up to examine the prospects of cooperation in
agriculture, rural development, telecommunication meteorology, and health and
population activities. A committee was set up to identify the other areas of
cooperation.16 The second meeting of the foreign secretaries was held at
Kathmandu in November 1981 and endorsed the reports of the five study
groups and converted these study groups into working groups. Their major duty
was to draw a detailed programme of action for regional cooperation in these
areas.17
In second and third meeting Pakistan’s attitude and approach were quite
positive. After the second meeting Pakistan was made a coordinator country for
two selected areas of cooperation.
The third meeting of SARC held in Islamabad in August 1982. In this
meeting two additional areas of cooperation sports, art and culture were added.
Apart from it a committee was formed under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka to
prepare ‘Integrated Programme of Action (IPA)’, in relation to the pre decided
areas of cooperation. In this meeting for the first time Pakistan referred to the
security objectives of regional cooperation and offered to share its experience
in Science and technology.18

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 Fourth Dhaka meeting of foreign secretaries held in March 1983 was a
milestone. It reviewed the work done by committee and adopted the Integrated
Programme of Action (IPA).The standing committee to monitor the
implementation of Integrated programme was set up and for its
implementation, the funds were provided from the member countries. In this
meeting the principle of ‘unanimity rather than consensus’, was adopted.19
The meeting of foreign secretaries of seven countries (India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives) and the work of working
groups set the platform for foreign Minister meeting, which was held in August
1983 in New Delhi. This meeting was over shadowed by the Tamil conflict in
Sri Lanka. The relations of India and Sri Lanka were going through a rough
patch due to the ethnic violence in Sri Lanka in July 1983. India did not like the
way Sri Lankan government treated the Tamils. In Sri Lanka there was wide
spread violence and rioting against the targeted Tamils and other people of
Indian origin.20
Indian Foreign Minister, P.V. Narsimha Rao visited Sri Lanka in the last
week of July 1983 and persuaded its counterpart, A.C.S. Hameed to attend the
SARC meeting in New Delhi.21
As a result of all these efforts Sri Lanka participated in this meeting. In
Delhi meeting, a Standing Committee at the level of Foreign Secretaries for
coordination and monitoring of SAARC was convened. Meeting of this
Standing Committee was held in New Delhi from 27 to 29 February 1984. The
third meeting of Foreign Ministers was held at Thimpu in May 1985. But Sri
Lanka announced to abstain because of India’s involvement in the ethnic
problem of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka considered it India intervention into the
internal affairs of Sri Lanka. But President Zia-ul-Haq and Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi talked to President Jayewardene and persuaded him to attend the
meeting. Finally Sri Lanka modified its stand and participated in the meeting.22
In this meeting, the ministers finalized a charter for consideration at the
Dhaka Summit. Discussion took place regarding the nomenclature of SARC
and it was decided that it would be South Asian Association for Regional

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cooperation (SAARC). Apart from it was decided to establish a SAARC
secretariat, which was to be taken up at the Summit. 23
The first Summit of the SAARC was held at Dhaka on 7-8 December
1985. This was the first over meeting of the heads of the states of seven
nations. 24
Before this meeting Foreign Secretaries met in Dhaka on December 4,
1985 and finalized the declaration on SAARC Charter that was to be adopted
by the Summit leaders. The Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries also
finalized the calendar of activities for 1986-87 and identified 42 projects in the
nine agreed areas of cooperation on December 5, 1985. Foreign Ministers in
this meeting accepted the recommendations of the Standing Committee and
they recommended setting up two expert committees to suggest the measures to
achieve high degree of cooperation in the field of drug trafficking and
terrorism. 25
In Dhaka the very high hopes organization was launched. In the
concluding session of the Summit, President Jayewardene compared the
launching of a ship and hoped that, “There would be no mutiny abroad”. 26
The Charter which was announced in Dhaka, was based on the 1983
SARC declaration. In addition to the nine areas of cooperation already
identified, two more areas, terrorism and drug trafficking, were added. This
Summit also stressed on the need of a Permanent Secretariat. Besides the South
Asian countries, the significance of the SAARC Summit was also appreciated
with varying notes in other parts of the world. Among the major external
powers the US, China and Japan welcomed the formation of SAARC with
greater enthusiasm, while Soviet Union had maintained a low profile.
Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang hailed the Dhaka Summit as an event of
27
great significance in the South Asian region. In a telegram to Bangladesh
President, Ershad, he said,
“China is delighted to see that. Thanks to the joint efforts of the
seven countries, gratifying progress has been made in the South
Asian Regional Cooperation initiated by Bangladesh”.

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 SAARC, was deemed to bring peace in the region. Zhao wished the
summit a splendid success.28
29
China was been making statement in favour of SAARC since 1976,
probably assuming that it would draw India away from the Soviet Union and
thereby reduce Soviet influence in South Asia. China’s attempts to encourage
India’s smaller neighbours to initiate collective bargaining with India on
matters of mutual interests was evident during the various visits exchanged
between China and the South Asian neighbours since 1977. Following the
Soviet military presence in Afghanistan, China was all the more vocal in its
support for the proposal. The Chinese leader Hua Guofeng opined that SAARC
was aimed at opposing “external interference and aggression” and safeguarding
“security in the region”. 30
The US President, Reagan, in his message to the Summit chairman,
expressed his country’s willingness to stand ready ‘to provide appropriate
assistance in launching programmes of regional cooperation’. 31
After the Soviet move in Afghanistan, the United State’s references to
the relationship between security and cooperation in South Asia acquired an
urgent attention. The US subscribed to the Chinese view that regional
cooperation in South Asia would curb Soviet influence and also ‘contain’
India.32 The Soviet Union was concerned about the designs of the US and
China behind the move for SAARC, and responded favourably in line with its
policy towards third world countries. 33
Then the Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuhiro Nakason in a
congratulatory message noted the successful outcome of South Asian Regional
Cooperation movement.34 R.J.L. Hawke, Prime Ministers of Australia, stated
how his country believed in the values of regional cooperation. The UN
Secretary General, Javier Perez de Cuellar wished “every success” to the
regional summit of SAARC in Dhaka. In his message to the Summit chairman,
the UN Secretary General had declared that the Summit would open ‘a new era
of progress’ in South Asia and help reduce regional tensions. 35 The President
of the commission of the European Community, Jacques Delores conveyed

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good wishes of the commission for the success of the newly established
organization. 36
The communique issued at the Vancouver Summit meeting of the
Commonwealth heads of state or Government referred to the establishment of
the SAARC and said that the emergence of the SAARC was an evidence of
continuing appeal of regionalism. It hoped that association would contribute to
the regions peace, stability and progress of the region. 37
There are two main differences between the SARC declaration 1983 and
SAARC Charter. Firstly, the principles of “non-use of force” and ‘peaceful
settlement of all disputes” were missing in SARC declaration and added in
SAARC Charter. Secondly, the SAARC charter 1985 provides structure of the
regional arrangements. It established a Council of Ministers and a ‘Secretariat
of the Association’. In 2005, the only major breakthrough it could achieve was
on the issue of Afghanistan’s admission into the grouping as a full member and
the acceptance of China and Japan as observers. India finally dropped its
demand that SAARC must first develop the terms of references for observer
status before inviting China.
However, since all other states were in favour of admitting Afghanistan
as full member and China as an observer, with Nepal having threatened to veto
Afghanistan’s entry unless China was granted observer status, India was in
danger of being labeled a spoiler if the Summit had concluded without
agreement on the issue of expansion.
India had also taken the position if China was brought in, SAARC
should also consider Japan and the US as observers. The deal that was finally
clinched also brought Japan in, which had already earlier applied to SAARC
for observer status. “This is the first time SAARC has expanded,” Mr. Aziz
said. “The entry of Japan and China will have a positive impact on the working
of the grouping.” 38
However, matters took a different turn when Nepal’s King Gyandra,
who was increasingly leaning on Beijing for moral and logistical support
against the Maoist insurgents. This led to genesis of the consensus on Kabul’s

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entry. Under the SAARC Charter, new admissions to the regional grouping
require consensus of member states. 39
India supports Kabul as a member of SAARC as it opened a window of
opportunity to minimize the influence of Pakistan in the affairs of Afghanistan.
Failing to find much support on China, India cited procedural delays to Beijing
being included, saying these could only be ironed out during a special session
of the standing committee of the organization, which was to be will be
convened in 2006.
To India’s surprise, the reasoning against an immediate inclusion of
China found support only from Bhutan, which does not have any diplomatic
relations with Beijing. Perhaps sensing India’s discomfiture on the issue, the
five other members of SAARC, namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka, made it apparent that they preferred China’s immediate
association.
Today, SAARC is the joint forum of Eight South Asian Governments,
comprising of eight countries, viz., India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan,
Afghanistan and Nepal in Indian Sub-continent, and Sri Lanka and Maldives in
Indian Ocean. The proposal to include Afghanistan was accepted in Dhaka
meeting Nov. 2005. The SAARC was established on 8th December, 1985 after
about four and half year of ground work by foreign secretaries and ministers.
The basic aim of the association was to accelerate the process of economic and
social development among member countries through joint action in the agreed
areas of co-operation. The region of SARRC lies in the South of Himalayas
surrounded by Hindukush Mountains.
The SAARC countries, are of different sizes both geographically and
population wise, and have different resource endowments. They are the among
the less developed countries of the world. The region accounts about 21 % of
the world population and only 3.5 % of total land area and also it is the most
densely populated part of the world with about 26 people for every square
kilometer. However, its share in world output is a mere 1.3 percent. Further, its
share in world merchandise trade is about 1% only. About half of the world’s

80
poor inhabit this part of the world. The region is characterized by large income
disparities, with 43 % of its population living below the poverty line.

South Asia’s economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern

agriculture, handicrafts, wide range of modern industries and a multitude of
support services. SAARC, tragically, is the world’s only region which has
failed to tap the potential for socio-cultural exchange and economic co-
operation probably because of continuation conflict between Indian and
Pakistan. Intra-SAARC trade is dismally as low as 4 percent and the collective
share of the region in world trade was just 1 percent.40
In the Dhaka Declaration, states or governments felt the need to
cooperate regionally to work together towards finding solutions to their
common problems in a spirit of friendship, trust and mutual understanding and
towards the creation of an order based on mutual respect, equity and shared
benefits. By taking this decision, the heads of state or government of

81
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives and Bhutan have been
meeting every year in the summits of the head of states or governments.
The main focus of the SAARC governments was to accelerate the
process of economic and social development in their respective countries. In
South Asia, its deteriorating economic and social conditions had seriously
retarded development prospects. It was formed amidst great hopes and
aspirations of the people of the region. South Asian Association for Regional
Co-operation (SAARC) is the only regional organization that South Asia
possesses. It is the undoubtedly a key forum for economic progress and
advancement of our region. 41According to Nancy Jetly,
“The South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC)
marked the first regional effort to rise above a positive framework of
cooperative economic development to promote the welfare of the
peoples of South Asia.” 42

The Scope of South Asian Association for Regional co-operation

(SAARC) that are laid down in charter are:-
1. The promotion of the welfare of the people of South Asia for the
improvement of the equality of life.
2. The acceleration of economic growth, Socio- cultural development
of the region and providing the opportunity to live in dignity.
3. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the
countries of South Asia.
4. The contribution of mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of
one another’s problems.
5. The encouragement of active collaboration and mutual assistance in
economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.
6. To strengthen co-operation with international and regional
organizations with identical aims and purposes.
7. The encouragement of co-operation among themselves in
international forums on issues of common interest.

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 8. The co-operation with international and regional organization with
similar aims and purposes.

Principles :

Cooperation within the framework of the association is based on respect
for the principles of sovereign equality territorial integrity, political
independence, non-interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and
mutual benefits.

Such cooperation is to complement and not to substitute bilateral or
multilateral cooperation.

Such cooperation should be consistent with bilateral and multilateral
obligations of the member states.

General provisions :

Decisions at all levels in SAARC are taken on the basis of unanimity.

Bilateral and contentious issues are excluded from its deliberations.

The SAARC Charter mentions that among the objectives of the

Association there shall be an acceleration of economic growth, social progress
and cultural development in the region, promotion of active collaboration and
mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific
fields and strengthening of cooperation among the member states. In
international forums on matters of common interest, regional co-operation
agreements in the other parts of the world identified economic cooperation as
constituting the very heart, as it were, of co-operation among the countries,
without which the extent and accurant benefits may be severely constrained.
However, within the SAARC region a fundamental asymmetry among the
member states, their varied levels of development, including administrative
procedures and rules, suggested that economic co-operation, while important,
was likely to be complex and gradual process. 43

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 Accordingly, the first SAARC summit in Dhaka (1985) primarily
focused on regional co-operation in areas such as health, population activities
and child welfare, culture and sports. This does not imply that the association
had decided to leave out economic co-operation. In fact, in 1986, the first
Ministerial Meeting on international economic issues was held in Islamabad
(31 March – 3 April). The Declaration of this Ministerial meeting stressed the
need for intensifying economic co-operation among SAARC countries. It also
stressed that SAARC countries should co-ordinate their positions in various
headquarters of regional and international organizations, as well as in relevant
international conferences to further the common objectives of member
countries. In 1987, the representative of the national planning organizations
met for the second time in Islamabad (11-14 October) and recommended that in
view of the adverse international economic situation facing the region, there
was a need to poor in resources for long term regional co-operation recognizing
asymmetries at the development levels and the fact that share of SAARC in
world trade was relatively small, the meeting recommended that analytical
studies need to be earned out in the first instance to facilitate identification of
priority areas for economic co-operation.44
As a result of this recommendation, a consultant was commissioned to
carry out a study on trade, manufacture and service (TMS) in the South Asian
region. Meanwhile, the national series of initiatives which would intensify the
consultative process, particularly in basic needs programmes and poverty
alleviation. The TMS study, which was completed in 1991, considered
economic co-operation among the countries of SAARC region as an inevitable
imperative for promoting all round development of the region.
The SAARC is a cultural, economic and commercial association, aimed
at creating a free zone, which may ultimately turn into a unified geographical
zone, like European Union but some subjects such as trade, industry, transfer of
technology, investment and monetary co-operation have so far not been
included with in the scope of SAARC activities. SARRC members particularly
Pakistan, have remained wary of the inclusion of core economic areas in the

84
SAARC activities on the ground that such a course would lead to greater
dependence on India. Nevertheless, the Islamabad SAARC summit succeeded
in making a break through in softening of stands on the issue from both India
and Pakistan. The Indians on their part sought to allay Pakistan fears of
economic dominance when Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi declared in
Islamabad that India was fully conscious of its special responsibilities and that
it would not seek to secure any unfair advantage at the expense of any other
partner. Accordingly, Pakistan responding positively to the issue, emphasised
that the study already being conducted in the areas of trade, manufacture and
service would lend itself to enhance economic exchanges and harmonization of
economic efforts towards the socio-economic progress of the peoples of the
region.
Thus, in the successive summits after the Islamabad SAARC summit, an
inclination to include core economic areas within SAARC domain has been
distinctly observed. Keeping in view this desire, the SAARC members began
by promoting co-operation in regional schemes in less controversial, areas.
These can include, for instance, schemes for transfer of technology,
establishment of joint ventures, besides expanding bilateral trade relations. 45
Though, there exist a certain lack of complementies, the scope of trade
can be expanded considerably if the misgivings of the smaller states and their
problems in achieving reasonable balance with potentially advanced members
can be overcome.
SAARC needs, indeed, to integrate the economic resources of the region
to increase the level of growth of intra-regional trade. In this direction, a series
of gradual steps need to be taken to stimulate the trade within the region,
starting with trade agreements, followed by measures to keep the bilateral
arrangements equitable and to present excessive benefits to the more advanced
economies. These measures would not only be in association with the SAARC
objectives but also in keeping with the spirit of south-south co-operation.46
President Zia-ur-Rahman of Bangladesh had expressed that the countries
of South Asia share many common values that are rooted in their social, ethnic,

85
cultural and historical traditions. Perception about certain specific events or
political situations of the world may differ, but such differences don’t seem to
create a gulf between them that can’t be ridged. In fact, the beginning of co-
operation on a regional basis may be a positive force in generating a climate of
harmony conducive to a better perception of what the countries in the region
have in common and value of this shared heritage. 47
The SAARC, representing more than one fifth of humanity and hence
the largest regional grouping in terms of human resources has hardly made any
progress towards achieving the common goal of raising the living standards of
the region’s feeming millions who are condemned to object poverty. ‘Whatever
the SAARC has achieved so far is far less than the full potential of the region.
Areas of co-operation are many, but no real benefits have trickled down to the
grass roots level or made any impact on the day-to-day life of South Asians.
Let alone for much talked about South Asian free trade area, even the agreed
on South Asian preferential trade agreement is not being fully implemented so
that the stark poverty of the people of the South Asia could be some what
mitigated.’ 48
Even after about in 27 years, the South Asian Association for Regional
Co-operation (SAARC), which presents a combined population of more than
150 crores, half of them living below the poverty line, is not free from mutual
conflicts and tensions. It is well known that the organization has not been able
to fulfill the aspirations of the founders mainly because of the India-Pakistan
disputes. The functioning of the SAARC has suffered because of political and
other differences among its seven members, it is suggested that the SAARC
Charter is based on the principle of consensus, all member states have to grant
their assent before a summit can be held and this is main cause of its ability to
work smoothly. The SAARC also forbids bringing bilateral disputes to the
forum.49

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Four phases of progress:
The two decades in the history of SAARC can be classified into four
phases, as follows:
Phase I : The period of 1985-89: phase of festering mental
preparedness for greater integration and co-
operation in the region.
Phase II : The period of 1989-93: phase induction of
economic areas for practical co-operation.
Phase III : The period of 1993-2000: Phase of some action
with regard to the different dimensions of regional
integration.
Phase IV : The period of 2000-12: The period of crisis of
leadership, conflicts of perceptions and erosion of
faith in the SAARC process 50
The Indian national movement during its final phase of struggle for
independence from the British imperialism articulated a vision for free India’s
regional and foreign policy. The basic objective of this policy was to forge an
Eastern Federation on the plank of anti-imperialism. The ultimate goal was
freedom of Asia and peace in the world. India’s efforts during the period
immediately after independence were to organize Asia and other regions which
were colonized by Western powers. The basic idea was to come together
politically for a just, secure and peaceful international order and to rebuild the
nations ravaged by colonialism. For the fulfillment of this objective, the heads
of the states/governments of seven South Asian countries – Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – formally established
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in their first
summit meeting held in Dhaka on 7-8 December, 1985.51
The ultimate goal of SAARC is to overcome the problems of
backwardness and underdevelopment. India’s role in the genesis of South
Asian Association for Regional co-operation was significant. India got central
position in the resurgence of Aisa due to its geographical and historical factors.

87
All major countries of South Asian Association i.e., Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have common borders with India and Maldives
is a small island in South Asia. They are also related to India separately and
individually in terms of their cultural identities, economic patterns,
philosophical trends and historical experiences. 52
India is also called big brother among countries of South Asia in terms
of size, populations, resource, and potential for economic growth, military
strength and capability of the constitutional and political system. India’s
neighbours expect her to play down the ‘big-brotherly’ attitude and keep a low-
key but positive profile in SAARC. India, the core country of South Asia
accounts for 72 percent of the region and 77 percent of the population and
generates 78 percent of region’s GNP. Some 85 percent of land under
permanent cultivation and nearly 70 percent of the irrigated land of the region
is in India. 53
As India is only one of the countries of South Asia, the term ‘Indian
sub-continent’ is entirely inappropriate as a description for the whole region. Its
use betrays India’s long cherished dream of exercising hegemony in the region,
a dream that India has failed to realize and it will never succeed in achieving.
Firstly Indian policy makers thought that this regional co-operation would
enable the South Asians countries to remain free from outside influences and
internal tensions. Among its one of the most important complication in the path
of Indian initiatives for regional cooperation, especially cooperation with
Pakistan, Is perpetual conflict of interest with almost all South Asian countries.
Due to Indian dominance in the region South Asian countries feel feared from
it. They try to organize themselves to counter Indian dominance. Indian
neighbours feel themselves that internal threat from India is greater than the
external threat. India is the key power of South Asia. It has strongest and most
dynamic leadership and most versatile elite. 54
The other objective laid down by India is that it is only regional
cooperation in South Asia which can turn the region into a region of peace and
free from tensions. It can put an end to poverty, economic backwardness and

88
can lead to technological advancement. It is presumed that the main cause of
tension in South Asia manifest in the form of the influence of ‘External
Powers’ and friction between India and her neighbours. 55
The leaders of Indian independence movement had asked for wanted
support from other Asian countries for mobilizing their own freedom and also
to build a movement for their own freedom and also for Asian resurgence. To
attain this objective a Congress for Peace held at the Beirville (Paris) in 1926.
The representative of the Asian countries participated in it and it was resolved
that let China, India and the rest of Asia be free. Then a family of free people,
willing to live together in cooperation can be built up and more than that it
would eliminate the most potent cause of war.56 From time to time Indian
National Congress also expressed its idea of wider Asian Federation of
Regional Grouping in some form or the other. In 1944 Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
also made references to the possibility of large federation or group of nations
emerging in Europe. He stated,
“I stand for a South Asia Federation of India, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan
and Burma.”57
A month later in September 1945, the All India Congress Committee in
a resolution said that ‘India will seek close and friendly association with her
neighbouring countries and would especially seek to develop common policies
for defence, trade, economic and cultural development with China, Burma,
Malaya, Indonesia and Ceylon as well as countries of the Middle East.’58
All these thoughts were helpful for the promotion of regional
cooperation in South Asia. India also initiated the other important steps towards
Asian cooperation, following Dutch invasion of Indonesia on 18 Dec, 1948.
There was a conference on Indonesia held at India’s instance in New Delhi on
20th January, 1949. Many countries from Asia including, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Australia and New-Zealand attend the conference. The Primary objective of the
conference was to frame and submit reasonable proposals for the settlement of
the Indonesian question. In this conference, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru made an
appeal for exploring the method of close cooperation.

89
 He again stated that the cooperation should not be alliance with this or
that nation. Alliances usually involves military and other commitments and
they are more binding. Other forms of association which do not bind in this
manner, but which help in bringing together nations for the purpose of
consolidation and necessary for cooperation which is more desirable.59 He
wanted cooperation of independent states free from binding convents,
organization for consultation and cooperation that is based on common
interests. India became a regional power during the period of 1971-72 after the
creation of Bangladesh. Pakistan’s acceptance of this position came out at
Shimla conference in 1972 held to solve the problems created by war. 60 In the
mean time India and Nepal had decided to increase joint collaboration in
economic sphere. Yet another positive factor was the growing support and
understanding between India and Sri Lanka since 1971 which led to the
resolution of the long standing issue of the ownership of kachchativer in 1974.
Many high level visits took place in South Asia in 1977 and 1978 for the
improvement of regional cooperation. The major stress in this period was on
mutual bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the region. The Janta
Government, of India described its policy towards the South Asian neighbours
as that of ‘beneficial bilateralism.’ The Indian government, in view of the state
of its relations with its neighbours was apprehensive about the formation of a
61
group which could provide them an opportunity to gang up against India.
Relations between Mrs. Gandhi’s government and that of two Zias (Pakistan
and Bangladesh) were not very cordial. So, in this position, India was of the
view that all these neighbouring countries would try to isolate India on global
issues and collectively they would put pressure on India for their own interests
in the region. In spite of this, India’s response to the proposed summit level
meeting, which was the first step for initiating regional cooperation, was
positive. 62
In order to give concrete shape to the concepts of regional cooperation,
the foreign secretaries of the Seven South Asian countries met in Colombo for
the first time from April 21 to 23, 1981. It was decided in this meeting that the

90
decisions should be taken on the basis of unanimity and that the bilateral and
63
contentious issue were to be excluded from deliberations. Other countries
like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives were in favour of
setting up of an institutional framework for the organization, but India and
Pakistan did not favour the creation of any such type of arrangement at this
stage. R.D. Sathe, the Foreign Minister of India stated that till detailed
examination had taken place, it would be premature to consider the
institutionalism of regional cooperation through the establishment of a
secretariat, etc. He further said that the meeting would identity positive factors
for the promotion of regional cooperation. It must not be a sum total of existing
bilateral arrangements but care should be taken to identify problem areas to
remove the handicaps and disadvantages being faced in these areas. 64 The main
out come of the Colombo conference was the separation of political and
economic issues. However the Foreign secretaries did succeed in arriving at a
consensus on certain issues. It was agreed at the end that as an initial step, five
study groups be set up to determine the potential and scope for regional co-
operation in several fields like agriculture (Bangladesh), Rural development
(Sri Lanka), Telecommunication (Pakistan), Meteorology (India), and Health
and Populations Activities (Nepal) 65
A three day conference of Seven South Asian states held in Kathmandu
from November 2 to 4, 1987 to review the progress in the area of regional
cooperation since the Colombo meeting. The foreign secretaries of seven
countries approved the reports of the committee of the whole which had been
prepared by the officials in the Colombo meeting. The recommendations of the
five study groups were also approved for implementation. Three additional
areas were also identified, which were transport, postal services and scientific
and technical cooperation. The new study groups were to be coordinated by
Maldives, Bhutan and Pakistan.66
The representatives of all seven countries gave their positive response to
these efforts. But India and Pakistan again advised for a cautious approach to
the formal institutionalization of the concepts and convening a meeting at the

91
Foreign Ministers level. It was stated at the meeting that the terms of references
which were agreed in Colombo, particularly those relating to arrangements for
implementing and monitoring the work programme and the overall benefits of
cost of such cooperation to the countries of the region. It is not possible to take
any definite decisions on these matters now. But we can exchange views for the
solutions to the questions.67 The third meeting of South Asian Foreign
Secretaries took place in Islamabad at the Foreign office, from 7th to 9th August
1982. Many recommendations were made like setting up of another study
group for sports, art and culture. But the Indian Foreign Secretary M.K.
Rasgotra, while speaking at the first working session called for greater
cooperation among South Asian nations in the field of trade, negotiations on
international economic matters, tourism, culture, sports and games. He also
offered to share India’s experience on oceanography. He said,
“India has been conducting oceanic surveys for the past few years
with the intension to utilize living and non-living marine resources. It
has also succeeded in lifting poly metallic nodules from the deep sea
bed of the Indian Ocean and organized a research expedition to
Antarctica. In the process some expertise in various fields of ocean
sciences have been built up. We would be happy to share our
experience concerning the use of the sea within the limits of our
national jurisdiction with other countries of the region on a basis of
reciprocity”68
India also agreed upon the recommendations of eight study groups five
of which were set up in the Colombo meeting and remaining three in the
Kathmandu meeting. In the field of trade, he said that it should be possible for
developing countries to consider limited cooperation based on a regional
system of trade agencies, trade related institutions and cooperation in
marketing and processing of commodities of interest to countries of the
region.69
India also suggested to its neighbouring countries to exchange
information and coordinate activities of the South Asian States on the basis of

92
North-South dialogue because these countries were facing the identical
economic problems. It was suggested by the Foreign Secretary of India, that it
was good to initiate preliminary action in some areas where appropriate
modalities and facilities are already available and which were agreed upon in
the last meeting that is exchange information, exchange of experts training
facilities, scholarships and organization of seminar, workshops on a regional
basis’ 70 For this purpose the committee firstly met in Colombo in January 1983
and after that in Dhaka, which was the fourth meeting of the series. In this
meeting India played a very constructive role. The Foreign Secretary M.K.
Rasgotra heartily welcomed to the unanimous suggestion for India to host the
first Foreign Minister meeting in early August 1983 M.K. Rasgotra while
addressing the planning session in Dhaka emphasized that the type of regional
cooperation we have in mind is neither inward looking nor exclusive. Besides,
in his view bilateral differences among Asian States need not obstruct, any
regional cooperation could go side by side with international cooperation.71
All these meetings prepared the structural framework at the regional
cooperation. But all the member countries specially India and Pakistan had
their contradictory views about the organized arrangement and the Foreign
Secretaries of all the seven countries had prepared plan for ministerial meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of the region which was the first political level step of
Seven countries of South Asia in this direction. They all approved a
programme of economic cooperation and accepted the suggestion for holding
summit of the South Asian leaders but they were not able to set a proper
timetable for it. The Bangladesh delegation was quite eager about an early
summit. But India and Pakistan were more cautions in their approach and
favoured a gradual approach to a summit.72
The then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Gandhi also gave stress on the
usefulness of a collective approach by the countries of the region. She also said
that the task before the conference is not aimed against any one, is not
ideologically motivated, is not a military grouping and does not better the
judgement of any of the participants. It is a forum of the seven non-aligned

93
countries of the region designed to promote economic cooperation for closer
friendship and greater stability.73
Due to the India’s influence on SAARC, Pakistan press made initial
comments on it. Pakistan times suggested that the attitude of hesitancy is
probably induced by the state of India’s relations with its neighbours. It advised
India that more positive approach to SAARC should be adopted. It added, that
the list of areas identified for cooperation was cautioned and sanitized against
political overtones, but it was a good first step towards an ultimate cohesion.74
The above meeting highlighted the need for the creation of the
organization, its objectives for the formation of the technical, action and
standing committees. The declaration underlined two important principles-
decision at all levels are to be taken on the basis of unanimity, bilateral and
contentious issues are to be excluded from the deliberation.75
At the conclusion of their meeting, the foreign ministers signed the
declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation setting out the objectives and
principles of such cooperation and incorporating provisions regarding
institutional and financial arrangements. They expressed their confidence that
the adoption of this declaration would promote the welfare of the people of
South Asia, improved their quality of life and strengthen collective self-
reliance among the countries of the region.76
Before the next foreign minister meeting which was held in Male in July
1984, the foreign secretaries of the seven South Asian countries met in New
Delhi on February 27-28, 1984, for their first meeting as the Standing
Committee of SAARC. The Standing Committee reviewed the world economic
situation and established complete support and approved the framework of
ideas and proposals formulated by a member country.77 ‘India and Pakistan
agreed to run one training course each for the transport planners of the regions,
while a workshop on local planning for the rural poor was to be organized by
Sri Lanka.’78 The second ministerial conference took place at Villingill in the
Maldives in July 10-11, 1984 to review their work and plan for the future. The
current world economic situation was considered at the meeting and ministers

94
expressed their concern over the deteriorating economic and social conditions
in the developing countries.79 In this meeting India did not play any important
role and then the Indian External Affair Minister, Narsimha Rao had said that,
friendly political relations must go hand in hand with cooperation in the
economic, social and cultural fields. The two are mutually reinforcing.80 Again,
Foreign Secretaries of the South Asian countries met in Male during the first
week of February which was the third meeting of Standing Committee. In this
meeting a suggestion was given for the adoption of a new declaration a charter,
at the SAARC summit. The India’s foreign secretary, Romesh Bhandari,
supported the first proposal but cautioned against drafting an entirely new
declaration, saying that only minimum amendment for institutional or other
changes required in the 1982 declaration of SAARC Foreign Ministers should
be considered.81
In this period the SAARC faced an ethnic crisis between Sri Lanka and
India on the matter of Tamil minorities. Several charges and counter charges
exchanged between India and Sri Lanka. Colombo blamed on India of
interfering in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs. The Indo-Sri Lankan differences
over the Tamil issue seriously impeded the convening of the fourth meeting of
the Standing Committee during May 1985 in Thimpu. Sri Lanka raised the
objection against the statement made by then Indian Minister of State for
external affairs. Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Tyrone Fernando, while referring
to the Indian Ministers statement, said in his country’s parliament that the
government had not decided to pull out of SAARC, but to review future
participation in it since it wanted to satisfy itself that the biggest member is not
the biggest bully.82 Sri Lanka threatened to boycott the meeting but Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi persuaded President J.R. Jayewardene to review his
decision to boycott the Thimpu meeting which was by way of a preclude to a
summit between the heads of government of the countries of the region in
Dhaka in December.83 In that meeting seven nations of South Asia decided to
institutionalize the co-operational framework by formally launching at a
summit meeting in Dhaka on 7th and 8th December in 1985. A new

95
organization to be called the - South Asian Association for Regional Co-
operation was formally propounded (SAARC).84 The fourth meeting of the
foreign Ministers of SAARC held on December 5, 1985, was a preparatory
meeting for the summit of the heads of states or governments. The standing
committee was asked to make its recommendations on the basis of technical
opinion.85 The Foreign Ministers also decided to submit to the Summit the
Charter of the South Asian Association for external cooperation so that full
potentialities of regional cooperation could be realized. It was further resolved
that time had come when possibilities of cooperation in such sectors as trade,
industry, energy and environment should be explored through technical
assistance.86
These are the main efforts which were taken by India for the creation of
SAARC. India made huge efforts for the creation of SAARC. No idea of
regional cooperation in this part of the world was able to be materialized
without the active cooperation of the two powerful actors (India and Pakistan)
in the South Asia. 87 India has large industrial base, the abundant human and
material resources, established economic infrastructure but all these resources
could be utilized beyond its national frontiers by its regional partners. Right
from beginning India had a great faith in regional co-operation. Nehru’s belief
in India’s responsibility to bring Asian countries together was firmly
entrenched in India’s foreign policy approach. Because of this in the emerging
post second war international situation and in view of the Korean War, India in
early fifties was interested in an Asia Free from cold war and military
alignments. India wanted Asia to become an area of peace. For the existence of
peace, India gave five principles which were later known as Panchsheel;
mutual respect for each others territorial integrity and sovereignty must, a
mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s affairs, equality
88
and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. In 1955 the Bandung
conference, took place which was considered to be the high point of Afro-
Asian attempt to develop common policies and approach to their problems by
the five Colombo conference participants, i.e., Burma, Ceylon (Sri Lanka),

96
India, Indonesia and Pakistan. The conference was attended by 29 Asian and
African nations included almost all nations which had gained freedom from
colonial rule. This conference played an important part in regional cooperation.
Main objectives of this conference were to promote goodwill and cooperation
among the nations of Asia and Africa to explore and advance their mutual as
well as common interests and to establish and further friendliness and
neighbourly relations and to view the position of Asia and Africa and their
peoples in the world of today and the contribution they can make to the
promotion of world peace and cooperation. The final Bandung communique
stressed on the desire for economic cooperation among participating countries
and recommended the early establishment of a special United National fund for
economic development. It asked for the allocation of a greater part of its
resources by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation to promote
equity investment. The apprehension about India’s long term objectives among
her South Asian neighbours was also a serious impediment in the emergence of
regionalism in Asia. Indian policy orientation to Worlds Regional Cooperation
in Asia got a new lease of life in the larger context of non-aligned movement
and North-South polarization of the world during 1960s and 1970s. The United
Nations also continued its supportive efforts to promote regionalism in Asia
under the concept of Economic Commission for Asia and Far East. The efforts
of the United Nations to promote economic cooperation in the region through
the mechanism of ECAFE were again more in the realism of possibility rather
than reality. Indian policy during the period developed linkages with non-
aligned movement and consequent pursuit of regional economic interests
through the struggle for a new international economic order. To sum up, India
inspired by the anti-colonial sentiment and resurgence of Asia, wanted to forge
the unity of newly independent nations of Asia and Africa for reconstruction of
the nations ravaged by western imperialism. Inherent in Indian policy
pronouncement and efforts was a strong desire to play a large political role for
world peace and a secure international order. In the starting India’s initial
efforts failed to unify Asia and she suffered the rude shocks of wars with China

97
(1962) and Pakistan (1965). These initial efforts to promote regionalism also
lacked economic content and were inspired primarily by grand world view of
Jawaharlal Nehru who wanted to pursue the higher ideals of world peace
through the ideology of non-alignment. India was willing to collaborate with
the countries of the region in economic sphere. A beginning was also made in
the form of Colombo plan as a result of the initiative taken earlier by the
Commonwealth Foreign Ministers. However, the Colombo plan idea on
economic cooperation, did not make much headway in the absence of a central
organization, a headquarter or a permanent secretariat.89

SAARC SUMMITS

Table 3.1(a) SAARC Summits and Its Main Agenda

S.No. Year Place Main Agenda
1st 1985 Dhaka Accepted the objectives of SAARC
2nd 1986 Bangalore Women’s participation and development
3rd 1987 Kathmandu South Asia Nuclear Free Zone
4th 1988 Islamabad To stress on basic needs in SAARC region

98
5th 1990 Male Promote peace unity and progress in the
region.
6th 1991 Colombo SAPTA (South Asian Professional Trade
Agreement)
7th 1993 Dhaka Eradication of poverty and Un-
employment.
8th 1995 New Delhi Literacy Environment issue and Terrorism
9th 1997 Male Formation of South Asian Free Trade Area
(SAFTA)
10th 1998 Colombo The promotion of mutual trust and under-
standing.
11th 2002 Kathmandu Pledged to make collective efforts to stamp
out terrorism.
12th 2004 Islamabad 1. All the nations agreed to establish and
adopted SAFTA.
2. Resolution against Terrorism.
13th 2005 Dhaka Terrorism and regarding members of
Afghanistan.
14 th 2007 New Delhi India allows Zero duty access to some
SAARC states.
15 th 2008 Colombo SAARC nations resolve to unite in fighting
terror.
16 th 2010 Thimpu Towards a Green and Happy South Asia
17 th 2011 Addu Building Bridges-to bridge the gaps created
by uneven economic development and
income distribution
18 th 2013 Kathmandu -------------------
Source: WWW. Wikkipedia.Org

99
Table 3.1(b) SAARC SUMMITS

No Date Country Host Host leader

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

16–17
2nd November India Bangalore Rajiv Gandhi
1986

2–4 November Marich Man Singh

3rd Nepal Kathmandu
1987 Shrestha

29–31
4th December Pakistan Islamabad Benazir Bhutto
1988

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

21 December Sri Dingiri Banda

6th Colombo
1991 Lanka Wijetunge

10-11 April
7th Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia
1993

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

12–14 May Maumoon Abdul

9th Maldives Male
1997 Gayoom

29–31 July Sri Sirimavo Ratwatte

10th Colombo
1998 Lanka Dias Bandaranaike

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

2–6 Zafarullah Khan

12th Pakistan Islamabad
January2004 Jamali

100
 12–13
13th November Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia
2005

14th 3–4 April 2007 India New Delhi Man Mohan Singh

1–3 August Sri Ratnasiri

15th Colombo
2008 Lanka Wickremanayake

28–29 April
16th Bhutan Thimphu Jigme Thinley
2010

November
17th Maldives Addu Mohamed Nasheed
2011

18th 2013 Nepal Kathmandu Baburam Bhattarai

Source: WWW.Wikkipedia.Org

DHAKA SUMMIT (1985)

The first meeting of the South Asian Foreign Minister took place in
December 7-8, 1985. In this summit a proposal for new name as South Asian
Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) was accepted by all the
members of South Asian countries. It finalized the charter of SAARC and
adopted the same objectives and principles as projected in the previous meeting
which was held at the New Delhi in August 1983 that was attended by the
foreign Ministers of South Asian countries. The heads of states or Governments
accepted the preamble of the Declaration and it recognized that ‘regional
cooperation among countries of South Asia is mutually beneficial, desirable
and necessary for promoting the welfare and improving the quality of life of
the people of the region; . . . Economic, social and technical co-operation
among the countries of the region would contribute significantly the national
and collective self reliance . . . increased co-operation, contacts and exchanges
among the countries of the region will contribute to the promotion of friendship
and understanding among their peoples.’90

101
 The charter stipulated that SAARC countries would meet once a year. It
also announced to formulate a council of Ministers of the Association to
achieve the following objectives.
1. To formulate SAARC’s policies and programmes for the
development of concerned states.
2. To review the other matters of general interest.
3. To take decision on new areas and fields of co-operation.
4. To establish any additional mechanism under SAARC as deemed
necessary.
5. To review the progress of co-operation under Association.

The Charter also listed the following functions for the technical
Standing Committee:
1. To search and determine the potential and scope of regional co-
operation in agreed areas.
2. To make the programmes and preparation of projects.
3. Determination of financial implications of sectorial programmes.
4. Monitoring of progress in implementation.
5. Implementation and coordination of sectorial programmes.
6. Formulation of recommendations regarding appointment of costs.
7. Identification of new areas of cooperation based on appropriate
studies.
8. Mobilization of regional and external resources.
9. Determination of inter-sectorial priorities.
10. Approval of project and programmes as well as modalities of their
financing.
The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi at the Dhaka Summit
expressed that SAARC symbolizes the most populous regional grouping in the
world, and further he stated that ‘SAARC’s success would depend on
involvement of our people in their Hundreds of Millions.’ And in the course of
such an involvement India knows that the dependence of several countries of

102
the region on outside powers would be reduced reinforcing thereby collective
self reliance on the prime objectives of SAARC. Mr. Gandhi further stressed
for the unique nature of the SAARC experiment distinct from other regional
groupings like ASEAN and EEC.
At the end of the Dhaka summit, a joint press release issued by all
members of South Asian countries informed that the Standing Committees of
foreign secretaries had been directed to setup two study groups. Thus, first
function of standing committee was examine the problems of terrorism in the
South Asian region and the second to probe into the disastrous consequences of
drug trafficking and abuse. It further stressed that two Ministerial level
meeting-one to be hosted by India and other by Pakistan to discuss
international economic issues and to increase the participation of women in
regional activities with in SAARC framework. 91

BANGALORE SUMMIT (1986)

The second summit of SAARC was held at Bangalore in November 17,
1986. The heads of state governments of seven South Asian countries who
attended this summit, committed themselves to devise common policies and
approaches for finding common solutions to the shared problems. At this
summit they institutionalized SAARC by establishing a permanent secretariat
to co-ordinate the implementation of the SAARC programmes. The main
agenda of this Summit was women’s participation and development. It also
decided to set up technical committees on women’s participation in the
development activities and in the implementation of the measures to end drug
trafficking. The summit agreed in principle to extend co-operation among
members in five additional fields viz., launching of South Asian broadcasting
programme covering both radio and television; promotion of tourism;
provisions of facilities to students and academicians; and harnessing of
idealism of youth. Above all the summit called upon the member states not to
allow their territories to be used for terrorist activities against another state. The

103
leaders agreed to co-operate in combating and eliminating terrorism from the
region.92

KATHMANDU SUMMIT (1987)

The third Summit of the SAARC states was organized on November 2
to 4, 1987 in Kathmandu. This summit was chaired by King Birendra Bir
Bikram Shah of Nepal. The Summit Meeting witnessed signing of two
important agreement- one on establishing the SAARC Food Security Reserve
and Second for a Suppression of Terrorism. He called for a spirit of give and
take among the member nations and asked them to oppose all efforts at
Balkanisation of region. Pakistani Prime Minister, Mohammad Khan and King
Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan suggested that the summit meeting should
impose ‘comprehensive ban’ on nuclear tests in region. While King Wangchuk
of Bhutan also expressed the same views on nuclear proliferation in region is a
great danger for us and stressed for global disarmament. The Bangladesh
President, M.H.M. Ershad put a proposal to evolve ‘a multidimensional
Himalayan water resources development plan to mitigate the sufferings of the
people in view of the frequent occurrence of natural disasters in the South
Asian Region’. Mr. Ershad also expressed the view that the main achievement
of the summit was that ‘the Mistrust and fear of each other should be reduced
substantially.’93
At this summit, Mr. Gandhi described that seven member states had an
equal sense of sharing. He further expressed that ‘the multifaceted co-operation
we have involved under SAARC continue and shape into a tradition’. The
Maldives President Mr. Mohammad Abdul Ghayoom expressed grave concern
at the tension in the gulf and he hoped the problems would be solved soon. He
also said that the global economic and political situation was more than
discouraging one side, and the super powers involvement in internal affairs in
the South Asian region have been becoming more harmful for all, on the
another side.

104
 At the end of this summit, the leader of the SAARC hoped that
Kathmandu declaration would bring about a qualitative improvement in the
general atmosphere of the region contributing to peace, friendship and co-
operation in the area. Even they hoped the coming summit would bring a
renewed thrust and direction to the future course of regional co-operation for
the people’s needs and aspirations.94

Islamabad Summit (1988)

The fourth Summit was held on December 29 to 31, 1988 in Islamabad
calling for decisive steps towards economic co-operations in various fields
among their nations. In this Summit Mrs. Benazir Bhutto was elected SAARC
chairperson. She told in her inaugural session of the conference. We should
consider ways of limiting our arms expenditures and seek regional solution for
curbing the arms race and the danger of nuclear proliferations and war. In this
session she also indicated that some of members of South Asia are spending
too great a proportion our national resources on defence in maintaining large
military forces that are faced against each other. She added that although
SAARC cooperation had evolved an action oriented programme; the gap
between the promises and reality of accomplishment remained large. The
Islamabad summit favourably considered the suggestions put forth by the
members for the evolution of a various fields for economic, social and cultural
co-operation. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, regretted that the
SAARC nations- “Have not taken even one full step down the road towards
regional co-operation of a kind which interfaces with our people on
development issues at the grass roots. If we play with shadows and allow
ourselves to be overwhelmed by apprehensions, co-operation in development
will remain a mirage.” 95
The foreign minister of the SAARC countries decided to observe 1990
as ‘The year of SAARC girl child’ and unanimously adopted the report of the
Standing Committee comprised of the foreign secretaries which also dwelt on a
number of issues including the question of SAARC travel voucher system, the

105
SAARC audio visual exchange (SAVE) programme, the convention on
suppression of terrorism, food security reserve and the draft declaration of the
summit. Adopting the Islamabad declaration, the leaders of India, Nepal,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan stressed the need for an all out
war against the drug menace which posed a grave threat to political and social
stability of the region They also pledged to meet the basic needs of life i.e.
food, clothing and shelter, of the people through a recognizable plan ‘SAARC
2000’ with specific targets. 96

MALE SUMMIT (1990)

The fifth SAARC summit concluded on Nov. 2 to 23, 1990 with the
seven South Asian members countries reaffirming their faith in the fledging
association and singing conversions to combat drug trafficking in the region.
They called on agreement on restructuring the SAARC activity and extending
it to core area of economic co-operation, biotechnology, environment and
tourism, besides setting up three new regional institutions. Speaking at the
inauguration of the fifth SAARC summit, Prime Minister, Mr. Chandra
Shekhar put a proposal for creating a fund for regional projects and exchange
of expertise in genetic conservation. The nine pages SAARC declaration
expressed serious concern over the growing linkages among drug trafficking,
International arms trade and terrorist activities. He also added that“he was
happy that at that summit they had laid a firm foundation of co-operation that
was being expended to bio-technology, the core economic areas and to
environment related issues.” Ending his speech on a personal note he said, “I
would like to say that my first participation in this regional summit has not
been an exercise in diplomacy but an opportunity for a meeting of minds.” 97
The chairman of summit, the Maldivian President Mr. Maumoon Abdul
Gayoom told in a press conference that the SAARC leaders favoured functional
approach and he welcomed the proposal for institutionalised cooperation
among the tourist from outside the region. In the Summit, three important
institutions were approved by the leaders at the different places. The fifth

106
summit agreed to observe 1991 as “SAARC- Year of Shelter”1992 as “SAARC
- Year of Environment” and 1993 as “SAARC -Year of Disabled Persons.” The
Male declaration which was adopted at the summit reflected the desire of the
seven heads of the states and government to promote peace, stability, amity and
progress in the region through-strict adherence to the principles of United
Nations Charter and the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly respect for the
principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence,
non use of force, non-interference in the internal affairs of other stages and
peaceful settlement of disputes.98
The Summit authorized the SAARC secretariat to share information and
exchange reports, studies and publication. With European community and the
Association of South East Asian Nations, to begin with, in the identified area of
co-operation. Even SAARC Members accepted India’s proposal to hold the
second Ministerial meeting on international economic issues in New Delhi next
year. At the end of this Summit, the SAARC leaders accepted the offer of Sri
Lanka to host the sixth SAARC Summit in Colombo in 1991.

Colombo Summit (1991)

Sixth SAARC Summit was scheduled in Colombo on 7th November,
1991. However, the Summit had to be postponed because the heads of state of
the seven member countries failed to reach a unanimous decision on the
question whether the conference could be held in the absence of king of
Bhutan, who had expressed his inability to attend the summit on account of
sensitive security situation in his country. While India, Nepal and Bhutan
favoured postponement of the Summit, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
insisted on holding the Summit. Ultimately the Summit was cancelled. It is
noteworthy that it was for the first time that SAARC Summit was cancelled
after pre-Summit deliberations had taken place. Despite the cancellation of the
Summit the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Bangladesh reached Colombo and
had a mini-Summit with the Presidents of Sri Lanka and Maldives. After about
a month and a half the seven leaders of SAARC met at Colombo on 21

107
December 1991 for one day.99The main agenda of this Summit was the
economic development of South-South co-operation. Chairman of the Summit
Begum Khaleda Zia told in her inaugural address that the mutual co-operation
is necessary for the further development of economy. Regional self-reliance
could only be achieved by promoting the closer co-operation among the
countries of association. Some political issues were also discussed in the
Summit which included Palestine problem, Apartheid in South Africa,
violation of civil and political rights in different parts of South Asia,
elimination of poverty, suppression of terrorism, drug trafficking and other
international crimes. The main proposal accepted by all was the adoption of the
plan of action for 1991-2000 AD. as the “SAARC Decade of Girl Child”. The
heads of state or government welcomed the setting up of a SAARC fund for
regional projects (SFRP) for identification and development of regional
projects.100

Dhaka Summit (1993)

Seventh SAARC Summit was held at Dhaka in April 1993 after being
postponed twice in December 1992 and January 1993, on account of disturbed
conditions in Bangladesh in the wake of demolition of Babri Masjid at
Ayodhya. The Summit adopted a declaration which sought to pull down trade
barriers in the region. It also endorsed the South Asian preferential trade
agreement (SAPTA) for the liberalization of trade among the seven member
nations of the Association. The Summit leaders agreed that the time was now
opportune to provide a dynamic impetus to activities in the core of economic,
social and cultural co-operation in the SAARC regions. The Summit endorsed
an Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) on eradication of poverty in South
Asia. The heads of states or governments reiterated their commitment to
continue to accord a high priority to its eradication of poverty from the region
in the shortest possible time. They pledged to overcome this challenge through
the implementation of appropriate pro-poor development strategies at Macro
and Micro levels.

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 They recognized that the completion of the regional study on the
“Greenhouse Effect” and its impact on the region was a significant step
forward in promoting regional co-operation. They emphasized that co-
operation in the field of science and technology was of utmost importance in
order to accelerate the process of development in South Asia. They reiterated
their grave concern at the growing menace of drug trafficking in the region and
the aggravation of the problem of drug abuse among the South Asian
population, particularly the youth. The heads of states or governments stressed
the need to further promote people-to-people contact in order to ensure
increased involvement of people of South Asia in the process of regional co-
operation.101

New Delhi Summit (1995)

The Eighth SAARC Summit was held in New Delhi in May 1995. It
accepted the recommendation of sub-continent foreign ministers meeting of
April 1995 which had proposed the launching of the South Asian Preferential
Trading Arrangement (SAPTA), which was supposed to take SAARC closer on
economic front. The member agreed to operationalise SAPTA by 8 December,
1995. The Summit also decided to establish a South Asian Free Trade Area to
promote intra-regional trade. The other important decisions taken by the
leaders of SAARC countries included designation of 1995 as the ‘SAARC-
Year of Poverty Eradication’. The Delhi declaration unequivocally condemned
all acts, method and practices of terrorism as criminal activities and stressed
that the highest priority be accorded to enactment of legislation at the national
level to implement the SAARC Regional Convention on suppression of
Terrorism.102
The declaration also urged the member state to implement the 1993
SAARC convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances. The
member committed themselves to the global objectives of ‘shelter for all’ by
2000 A.D. The Summit stressed the importance of international co-operation
for building up national capabilities, transfer of technology and promotion of

109
multilateral project and research efforts in minimizing natural disasters.
Protection of environment through concerted action was also emphasized. The
Summit reiterated and reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen the UN as the central
instrument of peace, security, disarmament, development and co-operation in
the world. With regard to nuclear disarmament, the summit urged the
conference on disarmament to negotiate an international convention barring the
use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. 103
They noted with satisfaction that subsequent to the signing of the
framework agreement on SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA)
during their 7th Summit in Dhaka in April 1993, the first round trade
negotiations to exchange trade concessions among member states has been
completed. They noted the progress made through the integrated programme of
acting covering a number of crucial area and activities. The leaders also
welcomed the establishment of the SAARC documentation centre (SDC) in
New Delhi in May 1994 and SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC)
at Dhaka in January 1995. The Head of states or governments expressed
satisfaction that the annual reviews of the situation of children in SAARC
countries for year 1993 and 1994 had been completed which indicated
reduction in infant mortality and significant progress in the immunization
programme for children in the region. The heads of states noted that illiteracy is
one of the major causes of poverty, backwardness and social injustices and
called on the member state to initiate more concrete programmes aimed at
eradicating illiteracy in the region preferably by the year 2000 A.D. They
decided to observe 1996 as the “SAARC- Year of Literacy”. They expressed
serious concern on the spread of terrorism in and outside the region and
reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods and practice of
terrorism as criminal. They deplored all such acts for their ruinous impact on
life, property, socio-economic development and political stability as well as on
regional and international peace and co-operation. 104

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MALE SUMMIT (1997)
Ninth SAARC Summit was held in Male from 12-14 May 1997, and
was attended by the leaders of all the seven member countries. At this Summit
the members unanimously adopted a declaration asserting that the region
should be transformed into a free trade area by 2001 by removing all the trade
barriers and structural impediments.
The leaders of all the seven member countries recalled their
commitment to the promotion of mutual trust and understanding and
recognizing that the aims of promoting peace, stability and amity and
accelerated socio-economic co-operation may best be achieved by fostering
good neighbourly relations. They decided to designate 1997 as the “SAARC-
Year of Participatory Governance”. They noted with satisfaction the entry into
force of the agreement on SAARC preferential trading arrangement (SAPTA)
on 7 December 1995. They recognized the importance of achieving a free trade
area by the year 2001 A.D. and reiterated that steps towards trade liberalization
must take into account the special needs of the smaller and the least developed
countries and that the benefits must be distributed equitably.
They also emphasized the urgency to effectively implement the
recommendations of the “Dhaka Resolution on Women”, issued at the
conclusion of the SAARC Ministerial conference on women and presented to
the fourth world conference on women. The heads of states also expressed
satisfaction that the annual review of the situation of children in SAARC
countries for the year 1995. They welcomed the decision to designate 7th
December, 1997 and 18th January, 1998 as “SAARC- Polio Immunization
Days.” The declaration asserted that the sub-regional co-operations instead of
being abandoned should be further extended. The members agreed to hold
informal political consultations to reduce tensions in the region. They also
vowed to combat terrorism and drug trafficking in the region and to launch a
war against poverty. 105

111
SRI LANKA SUMMIT (1998)
The tenth Summit of the heads of the Governments of SAARC countries
was held in Colombo, in July 1998. The leaders of SAARC countries reiterated
their commitment to the promotion of mutual trust and understanding as a
means for solving bilateral and multilateral problems. The summit criticized
major nuclear powers for maintaining huge arsenals of nuclear weapons and
urged the Geneva based conference on disarmament to start negotiations for
prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons and eliminations of such weapons in the
existing arsenals. In the economic field the SAARC leaders agreed to
accelerate the process for the conclusion of the South Asian Preference Trading
Agreement (SAPTA). The other economic measures recommended by the
Summit included extension of tariff concessions to products actively traded;
removal of discriminatory practices and non-tariff barriers on the items covered
by the tariff concessions; drafting of a treaty to create a free trade area;
coordinations of SAARC position before the WTO; and encouragement of sub-
regional co-operation.
The meeting of the SAARC Foreign Ministers was held at Nuwara
Eliya, a hill station of Sri Lanka in the third week of March 1999. The
conference discussed wide range of common issues like the steps leading to
SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) and vital development and social
issues concerning the region. The conference also lauded the efforts made by
India and Pakistan to sort outstanding bilateral problems in the spirit of mutual
understanding as wider from the Lahore Declaration. The conference also
discussed and finalized the agenda for the next SAARC Summit to be held in
Kathmandu. 106

KATHMANDU SUMMIT (2002)

Eleventh SAARC Summit, which was initially scheduled to be held in
November 1999, was postponed indefinitely after military takeover in Pakistan
in October, 1999. The Summit was ultimately held in January 2002. It ended on
7th January, 2002 with the 11-page SAARC declaration. The Summit was

112
attended by the Heads of states and Governments of the seven member
countries. These included A.B. Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, President
Pervez Musharaf of Pakistan; President Ms. Chandrika of Sri Lanka; Sher
Bahadur Deuba, the Prime Minister of Nepal; Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of
Bangladesh; President M.A.Gayoom of Maldives; and Prime Minister Lyonpo
Wangchuk of Bhutan.
The Summit reiterated its support to the UN Security Council
Resolution 1373 (adopted in the wake of September 11, 2001 attacks in United
States). The member emphasized that international cooperation to combat
terrorism should be conducted in conformity with UN Charter, International
law and relevant international conventions. The members agreed to take speedy
measures to ‘suppress the financing of terrorists, eliminate the supply of
weapons to terrorists, halt cynical abuse of refugee and asylum status, and
enact domestic legislation to deal with extensive international terrorist
networks.’ The SAARC members reaffirmed their commitment to SAARC
Regional convention on suppression of terrorism which recognized the
seriousness of the problem of terrorism as it was associated to affects the
security, stability and development of the region. The declaration emphasised
the need of regional co-operation in economic field to move quickly towards a
South Asian Free Trade Area. The council of Ministers was directed to finalize
the text of the Draft Treaty Framework by the end of 2002. The other principles
and issues emphasized by the declaration related to poverty alleviation,
cooperation in social and cultural sectors, women and children, education,
international political and economic environment. While emphasizing this, the
leaders acknowledgement that as an organization, SAARC has failed in
eradicating the poverty which was being forced by the 1.3 billion people living
in this world’s poorest region. 107

Islamabad Summit (2004)

The twelfth SAARC Summit was held at Islamabad in January 4-6,
2004. The head of states and Governments of Seven South Asian countries

113
attended this summit. The summit of the South Asian Association for Regional
Co-operation started on a very high note. The agreement was reached on three
key issues including South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) even prior to the
Summit. This certainly was a dramatic development considering the two
nuclear powers hostility that brought them on the brink of a war about two
years back. The agreements on SAFTA, anti terrorism and a social charter-
ready for singing by the heads of governments finally got through the Summit.
The region will have achieved more than it has done ever before. The
Islamabad Summit was expected to go down in the history of South Asia a
milestone one.
This summit helped in lifting the profound veil of pessimism that had
engulfed the prospects of SAARC. The singing of a framework free trade
agreement had launched a new era of co-operation in hard areas of commerce
and trade. This Summit had also opened the doors for thinking about trans-
border energy co-operation and even bolder concepts such as common
currency. It had also talked about engaging other regional groupings and
nations to widen the ambit of regional and trans-regional economic integration.
Beside political, economic and some social issues also discussed in this
summit, the members hailed the singing of the SAARC social charter as a
historic development, which would have a far-reaching impact on the lives of
millions of South Asians. Issues covered under the Charter, such as poverty
alleviation, population stabilization, empowerment of women, youth
mobilization, human resources development promotion of health and nutrition
and protection of children were identified crucial to the welfare and well being
of all South Asians. The Heads of states and governments also engaged in
discussion regarding poverty alleviation; financial co-operation; and energy,
environment issues. They approved plans for action in some of these areas.
Ministers also approved the nomination of Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji of Bhutan
as the next SAARC Secretary-General. 108

114
Dhaka Summit (2005)
The Thirteen SAARC summit was held at Dhaka in November 2005.
The heads of states and Governments of Seven South Asian countries attend
this Summit. The main agenda of this summit was terrorism and awarding
membership to Afghanistan. Twenty thousand law enforcers are being
mobilized in Dhaka for peaceful holding of the SAARC summit. By taking
important economic decisions on the eve of the SAARC Summit, India assured
the member states that it was fully committed to the South Asian Free Trade
Agreement (SAFTA). India was willing to open its economy and import more
from countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.
Man Mohan Singh argued that ‘our neighbours should acquire a greater
stake in India’s economic growth by benefiting from it. India must be willing to
import more from our neighbours, especially the less develop economies. India
said that it would sign a series of free trade agreements with countries of the
region spanning the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Straits apart from encouraging
more imports from neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Steps would also
be taken to reduce trade deficit with other less-developed countries like Bhutan,
Maldives and Nepal. But the fact remained that SAARC has so far achieved
little or nothing to benefit the people of the region. President Zia-ur-Rahman
aroused SAARC as a mere talking club. Indeed, the common belief is that if
SAARC has benefited anyone, it is the politicians and bureaucrats who have
been attending glamorous meetings, eating in posh hotels and going to pleasant
retreats or joyous river cruises at the cost of poor tax payers. It was with this in
mind that the 13th SAARC Summit expressed its resolve to make our activities
more result oriented, cohesive and forward –looking. 109
The focus of the Summit was poverty alleviation. The Kathmandu
Summit also reiterated the commitment of the member countries to confronting
the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and intensifying
cooperation to strengthen the existing mechanisms to deal with the changing
nature and spread of terrorism.

115
 For the first time, SAARC came out with a long term vision of
progressively moving towards the ultimate goal of an economic union. The
meeting of the commerce secretaries gave further impetus to the economic and
commercial cooperation in the region. Some steps were taken to accelerate
SAPTA and SAFTA. On the social front, we had signed two important
conventions expressing our commitment to uplift the status of women and
children. Progress in these areas depend largely on how we dealt with these
issues in the days ahead. Effective implementation of SAARC decisions was
the test of our commitment and faith in the Association. 110

Delhi Summit (2007)

The fourteen SAARC summit was held at New Delhi in April 2007.
Setting the tone for the 14th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(SAARC) summit Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India would
allow “Zero duty access,” to goods from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal,
Maldives and Bhutan before the end of the year and would further reduce the
sensitive lists in respect for these countries. India is ready to accept
asymmetrical responsibilities opening its markets to its South Asian neighbours
without insisting on reciprocity, Mr. Singh stated at the Vigyan Bhavan on
Tuesday when Afghanistan formally joined SAARC as the eighth member of
association. In an effort to advance the dream of full regional connectivity the
Prime Minister announced the unilateral liberalization of visas for students,
teachers, professors, journalists and patients from SAARC nations. He also
proposed linking all SAARC capitals with direct flights. All the seven other
heads of state/governments who spoke at the opening session, agreed on the
need to take the group towards greater economic integration. Observers from
China, Japan, United States, South Korea and the European Union were present
for the first time at the SAARC Summit. Referring to the agreement on setting
up a South Asian University and a regional food bank, Mr. Singh said that he
had a vision of a rapidly developing South Asia playing its role in an
interdependent world’s economic development and peaceful evolution.

116
Expressing happiness at the presence of the five observes, Mr. Singh said that
in the coming years SAARC will learn to work with our partners from out-side
the region, evolving ways of involving them in our progress. He further stated
that the South Asia is in the midst of an unprecedented political and economic
transformation. The political transitions, painful as they may be, are something
that each of us had to work out for ourselves, within our countries and between
our governments. Mr. Singh’s announcement on duty free access to some
SAARC nations was responded by Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Fakruddin
Ahmed in his speech in which he said that the larger and better resourced
among us had a greater responsibility to extend support to those lower down
the scale of development. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that
SAARC badly needed to be action oriented rather than remain dependent on
rhetoric. Merely saying good things about each other and ignoring the reality
will take us nowhere, the President felt. He added that it was high times that
SAARC should adopt a single currency. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai
said all SAARC members had to play role in tackling the problem of terrorism.
The summit ended with members resolving to enhance trade and economic
cooperation including services in the ambit of SAFTA and expediting an
investment promotion and protection agreement.111

Colombo Summit (2008)

The fifteen Summit of the Eight members South Asian Regional forum,
the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation, was held in Colombo
on August 2-3, 2008. The ‘partnership for growth for our people’ was the
theme of this Summit. The declaration issued at the concluding session on
August 3, strongly emphasized on the people-centric approach and focus of
SAARC despite tremendous pressures for aligning with a handful of powerful
global entities. At the two days Summit, the Prime Minister handed over the
baton to Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa, the new chairman of the
association. Other leaders who attended the summit were President Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom. Maldives, Nepal’s Caretaker Prime Minister G.P. Koirala,

117
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, Pakistan Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani, Bhutan Prime Minister Jigme Jhinley and Afghanistan
President Hamid Karzai. External affairs ministry spokesman said
representatives of the US, the EU, China, South Korea, Japan and Iran attended
the summit as observers. Australia and Myanmar had also shown interest in
becoming observers at the SAARC meetings and a decision on the issue was
taken at the Colombo summit. In the 15th SAARC Summit, all the leaders had
focused on the terrorism and expected to highlighted on the issue that how
terrorism had affected the progress of the SAARC nations and call upon the
member states to untidily fight the scourge.
India maintained that a crime free atmosphere was essential for
economic development and prosperity of South Asia. New Delhi was of the
view that the proposed agreement for the SAARC mutual legal assistance in
criminal matters would be effective in dealing with crimes in the region. The
Union cabinet had authorized the external affairs ministry to negotiate and
finalise the text of the convention during the coming SAARC meet. Leaders of
the SAARC countries also sought to enhance cooperation in various other
fields like food security, energy security, connectivity, healthcare and
education.112
The ‘Partnership for growth for our people’ was not a new thing for
SAARC. It was in 2005 that the decade 2006-2015 was declared as the
“SAARC- Decade of Poverty Alleviation”. Besides, the advocacy group of
poverty, independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation worked
out details of the SAARC Development goals on the lines of the Millennium
Development Goals. 113

Thimpu Summit (2010)

The sixteenth summit was held in Thimpu, Bhutan on 28–29 April 2010.
Bhutan hosted the SAARC summit for the first time. This was marked the
silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in
December 1985. Climate change was the central issue of the summit with

118
summit's theme "Towards a Green and Happy South Asia". Outcome of
Thimpu Summit regarding climate change issue: SAARC leaders signed a
SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment to tackle the problem of
climate change. The SAARC nations also pledged to plant 10 million trees over
the next 5 years. India proposed setting up of climate innovation centres in
South Asia to develop sustainable energy technologies. India offered services
of India's mission on sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem to the SAARC
member states saying that the initiative could serve as a nucleus for regional
cooperation in this vital area. India announced "India endowment for climate
change" in South Asia to help member states meet their urgent adaption and
capacity building needs posed by the climate change. The seven-page
‘Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration-Towards a Green and Happy South Asia’
emphasised the importance of reducing dependence on high-carbon
technologies for economic growth and hoped promotion of climate resilience
will promote both development and poverty eradication in a sustainable
manner. 114

Addu Summit (2011)

The Seventeenth Summit was held from 10-11 of November 2011 in Addu
City, Maldives. The Meeting, which was held at the Equatorial Convention
Centre, Addu City was opened by the outgoing Chair of SAARC, Prime
Minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoezer
Thinley. H.E. Mohamed Nasheed was elected as the Chairperson of the 17th
SAARC Summit. In his inaugural address President Nasheed highlighted three
areas of cooperation in which progress should be made; trade, transport and
economic integration; security issues such piracy and climate change; and good
governance. President also called on the Member States to establish a
commission to address issues of gender inequalities in South Asia. The Head of
States of all the SAARC Member States addressed the Meeting. The inaugural
meeting was attended by Foreign/External Ministers of SAARC Member
States, the Secretary General of SAARC, the Heads of Observer Delegation,

119
Cabinet Ministers of the Maldives, Ministers in the visiting delegations and
other state dignitaries. In her address Secretary General stated that the Summit
being held under the theme of “Building Bridges” provides further impetus and
momentum to build the many bridges that needs to be built: from bridging the
gaps created by uneven economic development and income distribution, the
gaps in recognizing and respecting the equality of men and women, the closing
of space between intent and implementation. In this Meeting, the Foreign
Ministers of the respective Member States signed four agreements; SAARC
Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters SAARC Agreement on
Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment SAARC
Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards SAARC Seed Bank
Agreement In addition, the Addu Declaration of the Seventeenth SAARC
Summit was also adopted. 115
Finally it can be stated that the SAARC is resting on a firmer foundation
as elaborated by the Indian Prime Minister that economic cooperation,
connectivity and integration will be the corner stone of SAARC in the years
ahead. SAARC is not a political entity. It is meant to provide economic
cooperation. However – Pakistan may feel that it is cooperating with SAARC
without the settlement on Kashmir, it has to go with the rest of the members.
Economics not politics is the criterion to court gains. SAARC is a good idea to
develop the entire region with the help of member states. The vast market of
India should come in handy to all the countries. The problem is that of India
and Pakistan’ both will have to be cajoled into orderly behaviour. So, all these
matters have affected the progress of the SAARC nations.

120
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30. Beijing Review, Vol. XXIII, No.31, 1980, pp.7-8.

122
31. Times of India, 8 December, 1985, p.11.
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44. Ibid, p.104
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46. Ibid, p.117.
47. Supra Note 3 at, pp.10-11.
48. Indra Nath Mukerji, “SAARC: Today Regional Co-operation taking
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49. Kalim Bahadur, “The Politics of SAARC,” World Focus, Vol. XXV,
No.6, June 2004, p.28.

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53. Supra Note 18 at p.113.
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56. Supra Note 4 at p.10.
57. Ibid. p.12.
58. I.N. Mukherji, “India and Regional Cooperation”, in Akhtar Majeed
(ed.), Indian Ocean – conflict and Regional Cooperation, New Delhi,
Radiant Publishers, 1986, p.158.
59. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s Foreign Policy: Selected Speeches,
September 1946 – April 1961, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Government of India, 1971, p.38.
60. Supra Note 4 at p.11.
61. Foreign Affairs Record, Vol. XVII, July 1972, pp.192-193.
62. Supra Note 4 at p.20.
63. Ibid., p.27.
64. Supra Note 19 at p.3.
65. Supra Note 4 at p.32.
66. Statement by R.D. Sathe, Foreign Secretary of India at first meeting
Colombo, 21-23 April, 1981 as cited in Supra Note 4 at p.113.
67. Pramod Kumar Mishra, South Asia in International Politics, New
Delhi, UDH Publication, 1984, p.51.
68. Supra Note 19 at p.8.

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69. Statement by R.D. Sathe, Foreign Secretary of India at the second
meeting, Kathmandu, November 2, 1981, as cited in Supra Note 4 at
p.113.
70. Statement by M.Resgotra, Foreign Secretary of India at the third
meeting, Islamabad, August 7-9, 1982, as cited in Supra Note 4 at
p.115-119.
71. Ibid., p.120.
72. Supra Note 67 at p.64.
73. The Times of India, August 2, 1983, p.12.
74. The National Herald, August 2, 1983, p.10.
75. The Times of India, August 5, 1985, p.9.
76. Supra Note 19 at p.3.
77. SAARC Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi, 1998, p.64.
78. The India Express, March 1, 1984, p.10.
79. Supra Note 19 at p.10.
80. SAARC Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi, 1996, p.6.
81. The Times of India, 13th July, 1984, p.8.
82. The Indian Express, 6th February, 1985, p.11.
83. Supra Note 19 at p.12.
84. The Patriot, 14th May, 1985, p.2.
85. The Indian Express, 16th May, 1985, p.1.
86. The Hindustan Times, 6th December, 1985, p.8.
87. Ibid. p.9.
88. Pramod Kumar Mishra, “Politics of Regional Cooperation in South
Asia,” The Patriot, June 24, 1982, p.36.
89. M.S. Rajan, Indian in world Affairs, 1954-56, New Delhi, ICWA
Publication, 1964, pp.52-57.
90. Dhaka Declaration, Declaration of SAARC Summits, 1985-1995,
SAARC Secretariat Kathmandu, March, 1993, pp.1-6.
91. Indian Foreign Review, Vol. XXIV, No.12, November 15, 1986,
p.12-13.

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92. Indian Express, December 1st, 1986, p.7.
93. Harsh Kumar Sinha, India’s Role in SAARC, New Delhi, Rahul
Publication, 1994, pp.36-38.
94. Ibid., pp 39-41.
95. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Dhaka Summit and SAARC, New Delhi,
UDH Publication, 1986, pp. 12-14.
96. The Tribune, Chandigarh, December 29, 1989, pp. 7-9.
97. Vandana Asthana, India’s Foreign Policy and Sub continental
Politics, New Delhi, Kanishka Publication, 1999, pp.248-249.
98. Ibid, p.251.
99. Prem Arora, Indian Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Book Hive
Publication, 2003, p.217.
100. The Tribune, Chandigarh, November 10, 1991, p.7.
101. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, February 10, 1993, p.5.
102. Supra Note 98 at p.219.
103. V.N. Khanna, Foreign Policy of India, New Delhi, Vikas Publication,
1997, p.218.
104. Ibid., 219.
105. The Tribune, Chandigarh, May 15, 1997, p.6.
106. Supra Note 98 at p.221.
107. Vandana Asthana, India’s Foreign Policy and Sub Continental
Policies, New Delhi, Kanishka Publication, 1999, p.125.
108. Indian Express, Chandigarh, January 14, 2004, pp.5-6.
109. Supra Note 106 at pp. 128-129.
110. The Tribune, Chandigarh, November 20, 2005, p.9.
111. The Hindu, Delhi, April 4, 2007, p.1.
112. The Tribune, Chandigarh, August 1, 2008, p.20.
113. The Tribune, Chandigarh, August 8, 2008, p.13.
114. Website: www.wikipedia.org.
115. Ibid.

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