South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a group of eight South Asian countries that came together to promote regional integration and cooperation. The founder members include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The idea behind SAARC was to create a platform where these countries could come together and discuss issues of regional importance, such as economic and social development, poverty alleviation, and disaster management. However, like most regional organizations, it has faced its fair share of challenges.

One of the major issues that SAARC has faced is the ongoing rivalry between India and Pakistan. These two countries have had a long-standing conflict over issues such as Kashmir, which has led to tensions within the organization. In fact, SAARC’s 2016 summit was canceled due to escalating tensions between the two countries.

Another challenge SAARC has faced is the lack of progress on regional integration. Despite the creation of the South Asian Free Trade Area, trade amongst the member nations is still limited. This is largely due to non-tariff barriers, which make it difficult for businesses to trade within the region.

Despite these challenges, SAARC has had some successes. For instance, in 2014, SAARC agreed to establish a regional electricity grid. This initiative aims to connect the energy grids of all SAARC countries, allowing them to share excess electricity and address energy shortages.

In conclusion, while SAARC may not have achieved all its goals, it has certainly had its entertaining moments. From cricket diplomacy to Bollywood showdowns, the organization has provided ample entertainment to South Asia and beyond. Who needs Netflix, when you have SAARC?