JSPES, Vol. 45, No. 1-2 (Spring-Summer 2020)
pp. 113-130

Is Revitalising SAARC Possible and Rational?

Rajeesh Kumar
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,
New Delhi

Fragile structure, weak mandate, mistrust, misperceptions, and conflict among member countries have impeded South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from fostering regional socio-economic and cultural cooperation and from achieving its political objective of creating a durable, stable, and peaceful regional order in South Asia. This article explores, as a regional organisation, how SAARC has failed to promote cooperation in the region. Against the backdrop of the structural fragility of SAARC and conflict among member states, this article examines the possibility and pragmatism of revitalising SAARC and argues that even if reinvigorated through structural reforms, the organisation will not be able to contribute to regional cooperation and development.