SAARC summit diplomacy an appraisal

Abstract

Among the physically and well defined regions, South Asia has been amongst the few that has been very tardy in reorganising the benefits of a regional system of co-operation. Until recently South Asia saw very little action regarding regionalism, although there has been plenty of articulation about what regional co-operation, can achieve. The reason is simple and well known. The region is confronted with historical animosities, territorial disputes and political diversity. They reflectively knocked out the possibility of true regional harmony for a long time. newlineSouth Asia, today, present an immensely interesting, even if at times baffling and irritating scenario. It presents an intriguing paradox, for it is a region of great racial diversity with innumerable cultures, languages, and regions. Yet, as a region it has distinctive and unmistakable identity. SAARC represents more than one-fifth of humanity and have common problems of hunger, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and under development. SAARC countries share common history, strong cultural links and significant economic ties. newlineAt a closer look, however the smaller states were quick in seeing a symbiotic relationship between SAARC countries and their vital national interests. Sometimes there is also a feeling that the regional community envisaged by them will be so interdependent that, the strong may not dominate the weak and the weak do not feel threatened by the preserve of the strong. newline