Importance of SAARC

There are several key areas in which the organisation SAARC plays a vital role. By the conclusion of this discussion, a person can be capable of understanding the importance of SAARC and the role of SAARC in creating international relations among the countries situated in the South Asian region. The members engaged in this organisation can be pointed out from this discussion. The historical background of this organisation can be analysed by this discussion. 

Overview of SAARC

SAARC is the short name of ‘South Asian Association Regional Corporation’. It is an intergovernmental foundation or organisation for the improvement of regional integration and economic condition in the year 1985 SAARC was founded by the initiative of seven states. In the year 2005, the country of Afghanistan had requested its accession as a member of SAARC and applied formally for membership. SAARC was established on 8th December in the year 1985 in Dhaka. Potential future members such as Russia and Turkey had also applied for the membership of this organisation. The members that are involved in this organisation are from eight different states and there are nine observer states which are involved in this organisation. The establishment of this organisation has created a chance for creating or building strong internal relations between different countries or states.

Historical Background of SAARC

The idea or concept of establishing regional cooperation in the country of South Asia was first generated in the year 1980. In the month of May of 1980, the first initiative was taken for establishing or forming SAARC. The foreign secretary of the seven-member countries came for the first time to Colombia in the year 1981 in the month of April.  At first five key areas and after that other key areas were added to the list for regional cooperation. This organisation was finally established after the formal adoption of the Charter on 8th December in 1985 in Dhaka by the heads of the governments of Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The areas that were identified as the key areas for the working of this organisation were rural and agricultural improvement, social affairs, development of tourism and human resources, trade, finance and economics and many others. 

Countries as the Members of SAARC

SAARC was established with the initiative for creating South Asian regional cooperation between the countries that are situated in the region of South Asia. The importance of SAARC is related to the building of powerful international relations between the countries which are situated in the region of South Asia. The importance of SAARC can be realised by the countries which are the members of this organisation. There are mainly eight states that can be identified as the members of this organisation and the other nine states are engaged as the observer states in this organisation. The members of this organisation are listed below.

These are the members who are directly engaged within the organisation, SAARC. With the establishment of this organisation these countries have the opportunity for building a strong international relationship.

Role of SAARC

The main role of SAARC is working for the development or growth of the people who live within the region of South Asia by achieving the common or same goal related to cultural, social and economic development. There are several functions of SAARC that are useful for creating strong and powerful international relations between different countries. The functions of SAARC includes

• Promotion of the welfare of the South Asian people and developing their quality of living

• Enhance the power of mutual trust between different countries for understanding and appreciating each other’s problems
• Accelerate social progress, economic development and cultural growth in the region of South Asia by giving every individual an opportunity for living in dignity and realising their potentialities
• Promotion of active collaboration and mutual help in the fields of social, technical, cultural and scientific
• Provide and strengthen the collective self-reliance among the members or countries situated in South Asia

All these functions of SAARC play a vital role in creating a mutual international relation among all the countries situated in South Asia.

Importance of SAARC

The importance of SAARC can be observed in various fields. The importance of SAARC is:

• This organisation plays an important role to prevail peace among the member countries situated in South Asia
• It helps in creating mutual trust and promoting political stability
• To create a chance for friendship among the people of South Asia for working together
• Helps in developing the quality of life of the people of South Asian region

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the establishment of SAARC plays an important role in order to create a friendly international relationship among the countries that are members of SAARC. There are eight states that are members of this organisation. There are nine observer states that are involved in this organisation. The role of SAARC includes the promotion of the welfare of the people who live in the region of South Asia. This organisation plays an important role in having opportunities regarding social, economic, cultural, technical growth and also improving the quality of life.