SAARC: ITS POTENTIAL AND ROLE BEYOND 2015

Abstract

In the three decades of its existence, SAARC has been unable to make the desired impact nor could achieve its underlying objectives. Its report card presents a contrast between rhetoric and action, and ambition and practicality. The region remains the least connected, under - developed and is unable to cash in on its geostrategic and geo-economic potential due to structural and functional issues that are causing inertia in the organization. Pakistan’s geopolitical disposition at the crossroads of regions can offer opportunities to promote intra-regional connectivity and thus leverage this factor for the region’s rapid transformation towards peace and progress. In this context, the study aims to analyze the SAARC potential and role beyond 2015 in light of its report card and current regional and global environment. The paper argues that to make SAARC vibrant, a qualitative change is required among SAARC members to improve the form and content of bilateral relations and to overcome long-standing political issues. Moreover, the expansion of SAARC to include China may benefit the organization.