Is SAARC going to be defunct?

The SOUTH Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the regional inter-governmental organisation and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia is now passing through a crucial period. The last summit of the SAARC was held four years ago in 2014 in Kathmandu. The 2016 Summit (19th summit) which was to be held in Islamabad was called off following a terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir state that left 19 troops dead. After the attack India expressed its unwillingness to attend the summit and it was ultimately cancelled. Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also boycotted the summit.

Important initiatives like Visa exemption scheme, South Asian free trade area project etc. now appear as distant dreams. The possibility of holding the 20th SAARC summit appears remote to say the least. The SAARC is now in this situation because of the growing animosity between two of its most powerful members. Continuation of this deadlock will lead to a premature death of the organisation. We sincerely regret being in a situation like this and hope the organisation that successfully lit up the spirit of regional fraternity, peaceful coexistence, security and cooperation among the countries of South Asia shall continue to exist in the same spirit.

Md. Tarek Aziz Bappi

Department of Political Science,

Dhaka University

[email protected]