TENSIONS WITHIN REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: A STUDY OF SAARC

In: The Indian journal of political science, Band 50, Heft 1, S. 18-27

Abstract

REGIONAL COOPERATION AMONG SOUTH ASIAN NATIONS WAS INSTITUTIONALIZED WITH THE FORMATION OF SAARC ON DECEMBER 8, 1985. THE HEADS OF THE SEVEN SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES AGREED THAT SAARC WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACCELERATING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTING NATIONAL AND COLLECTIVE SELF-RELIANCE, AND FURTHERING THE CAUSE OF PEACE, PROGRESS, AND STABILITY IN THE REGION AND THE WORLD. BUT SINCE THE BEGINNING SAARC HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY TENSIONS FROM WITHIN. POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, RELIGIOUS, AND ETHNIC FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THESE TENSIONS.