I. INTRODUCTION:

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of 7 founded countries in the SAARC Charter at Dhaka (capital city of Bangladesh) on 8^th December 1985. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister of India at that time, has signed above charter on behalf of India republic. The present SAARC comprises of eight member States such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (http://saarc-sec.org, accessed on 16-3-2020). Afghanistan has joined the SAARC in 2007 as an eighth member country during the 14^th SAARC summit held at New Delhi (Nidhi Sharma (2014), p.59).

So, it is an economic and political organization of 8 countries in Southern Asia (Sudhir Kumar Singh (editor) (2011)). Moreover, it is anintergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia (https://www.google.com, accessedon 28-07-2020). The SAARC countries are of different sizes both geographically as well as population wise and have different resource endowments. With its population and area wise, India is the largest country in the SAARC region (R.S. Kher (2012), pages. 33 and 77). Moreover, India being the largest economic power in SAARC will have the greatest impact through its policies (S.D. Muni and Rajshree Jetlychapter in an edited book (2011), p.7). According to the SAARC charter, the basic driving force behind an establishment of the SAARC was the desire of the contracting parties for promoting peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of an United Nations Charter and Non-Alignment (E. Sudhakar (2009), p.27).

The Secretariat of thisassociation was set up at Kathmandu (capital city of Nepal country) on 17^th January 1987 for administration purpose.In this, decisions at all levels are to be taken on the basis of an unanimityas well as bilateral. The contentious issues are excluded from the deliberations in this association (http://saarc-sec.org, accessed on 16-3-2020). Moreover, its role is to co-ordinate and monitor an implementation of SAARC activities (R.S. Kher (2012), p.14).Since its inception, so far India has played the role as SAARC chair for 3 times such as from 16-11-1986 to 1-11- 1987, from 2-5-1995 to 11-5-1997 and from 3-4-2007 to 31-7-2008. The Current Chair is Nepal from the date on 26-11- 2014 to till Date (http://saarc-sec.org, accessed on 16-3-2020). The SAARC is dedicated to improving the welfare of the people of South Asia through economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region (http://www.sdfsec.org, accessed on 17-3-2020).

The SAARC idea was initiated by one of the most inscrutable leaders of the region, General Ziaur Rehman from Bangladesh. He has met many of other leaders personally and dispatched special envoys to the capitals of countries of the region.The last SAARC summit scheduled was suppose to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, but this was postponed after the terrorist attacks at Uri. After this, none has been held since then (Amitabh Mattoo (2020), p.8). So, because of this reason, the 19th SAARC summit was not held so far. However, the significance of the SAARC in the South Asia region has analyzed below.

The SAARC Charter:

At the time of establishing the SAARC in 1985, the SAARC Charter has mentioned the following, which are still exists and applicable to all the 8 SAARC countries.

We, the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka:

1. Desirous of promoting peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and Non- Alignment, particularly respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non-use of force as well as non-interference in an internal affairs of other States and peaceful settlement of all disputes.

2. Conscious that in an increasingly interdependent world, objectives of peace, freedom, social justice and economic prosperity are best achieved in the South Asian region by fostering mutual understanding, good neighbourly relations and meaningful cooperation among the member States which are bound by ties of history and culture (http:// saarc-sec.org/saarc-charter, accessed on 18-3-2020).

3. Aware of the common problems, interests, aspirations of the peoples of South Asia as well as the need for joint action and enhanced cooperation within their respective political, economic systems and cultural traditions.

4. Convinced that regional cooperation among the countries of South Asia is mutually beneficial, desirable as well as necessary for promoting the welfare and improving the quality of life of the peoples of the region.

5. Convinced further that economic, social and technical cooperation among the countries of South Asia would contribute significantly to national and collective self- reliance (http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-charter,accessed on 18-3-2020).

6. Recognising that increased cooperation, contacts and exchanges among the countries of the region will contribute to the promotion of friendship and understanding among their peoples.

7. Recalling the Declaration signed by their Foreign Ministers at New Delhi on 2^nd August, 1983 and noting the progress achieved in regional cooperation.

8. Reaffirming their determination to promote such cooperation within an institutional frame work. Doherebyagree to establish an organisation to be known as South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-charter, accessed on 18-3-2020).

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE SAARC:

The main objectives of this association as outlined in its SAARC charter’s article 1 are as follows:

1. To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.

2. To accelerate economic growth, social progress as well as cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals an opportunity to live in dignity as well as to realize their full potentials.

3. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.

4. To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems.

5. To promote active collaboration as well as mutual assistance in an economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.

6. To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.

7. To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests and

8. To cooperate with international as well as regional organizations with similar aims and purposes (http://saarc-sec.org, accessed on 16-3-2020).

III. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SAARC:

An article 2 of the charter of the SAARC has mentioned the principles as follows:

1. Cooperation within the framework of thisassociation shall be based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in an internal affair of other States and mutual benefit.

2. Such cooperation shall not be a substitute for bilateral and multilateral cooperation but shall complement them.

3. Such cooperation shall not be inconsistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations (http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-charter, accessed on 23-7-2020).

IV. AREAS OF COOPERATION AMONG THE SAARC COUNTRIES:

The basic aim of the SAARC is to an acceleration of the process of economic and social development in its member states through collective action in agreed areas of co-operation (R.S. Kher (2012), p.33). The SAARC has commenced regional cooperation in limited areas in its initial phase. Presently, the SAARC promotes regional collaboration in almost every sphere of human activity having a bearing on the life and livelihood of the people in the region. The main areas of cooperation being pursued under an auspices of this association include such as Agriculture as well as Rural Development, Biotechnology, Blue Economy, Cooperatives, Culture, Trade as well as Economy and Finance, Education, Energy, Environment, Finance, Funding Mechanism, Information as well as Communications Technology, Migration, People-to-People Contacts, Poverty alleviation, Science as well as Technology, Security aspects, Social Development and Tourism (SAARC Development Fund (2016 and 2017), p.12). However, the detailed major areas of cooperation among the SAARC countries are analyzed below.

1. Human Resource Development and Tourism:

As far as the Human Resource Development is concerned, anidea of meeting of SAARC Cabinet Secretaries was suggested by India in the year 2008 to discuss professional issues of common concern such as administrative reform, procedural simplifications and implementation of development programs, which relevant to the SAARC Countries. This was welcomed by the Member States. The Cabinet Secretaries of the SAARC have so far met four times such as New Delhi in November 2009; Dhaka in April 2014; Islamabad in April 2015 and Kathmandu in June 2016. The forum is discussing issues of common concern and also provides a good opportunity for sharing the best practices and lessons learned in the contexts of administrative, economic, and social reforms. The forum also discusses matters relating to rural development, administrative reforms, governance as well as capacity building and performance evaluation. The Nepal country has hosted the fourth meeting of the SAARC Cabinet Secretaries from 9^th to10^th June 2016 at Kathmandu. In this, the delegations of the Member States emphasized on an importance of collective aspiration as well as cooperation for achieving common objectives aimed at prosperityand welfare of the peoples of the region and appreciated initiatives taken by the Member States (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/ human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3., accessed on 19-3-2020).

The SAARC has attaches high priority to the promotion of people-to-people contact in the region and to foster mutual understanding as well as goodwill among the peoples of South Asia. While it is an inter-governmental association, the successive summits have emphasized on an importance of promoting people-to-people contact at all levels outside the State sector. In order to realize this objective, a number of initiatives have taken place. With a view of enriching and supplementing inter-governmental regional efforts in promoting socio-economic and cultural development in the SAARC region, thisassociation encourages interface as well as interaction across the region among professional bodies, private corporate sector, civil society groups and creative artists. To further facilitate and acknowledge their work, thisassociation had grants formal recognition to these bodies under two specific categories such as SAARC Apex Bodies and SAARC Recognized Bodies (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/ human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3., accessedon 19-3-2020).

However, currently, there are six SAARC apex bodies there. These are SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), SAARC Law, South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), South Asia Foundation (SAF), Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) and South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC). Moreover, presently there are eighteen SAARC recognized bodies available. These aresuch as Association of Management and Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects, Federation of State Insurance Organizations (FSIO) of SAARC Countries, SAARC Diploma Engineers Forum (SDEF), Radiological Society of SAARC Countries (RSSC), SAARC Teachers Federation (STF), SAARC Surgical Care Society (SSCS), South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), SAARC Women’s Association (SWA), Hindukush Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resources Management, Federation of Association of Pediatric Surgeons of SAARC (FAPSS) countries, South Asian Federation of Exchanges (SAFE), SAARC Federation of Oncologists (SFO), South Asia Association of National Scout Organization (SAANSO), South Asian Network of Economic Research Institute, SAARC Academy of Ophthalmology (SAO), South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF), and Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3.,accessed on 19-3-2020).

Apart from above, the South Asia Forum was formed after the SAARC leaders at the Sixteenth SAARC Summit (Thimphu, 28-29 April 2010), emphasized on the need to develop a ‘Vision Statement’ and agreed to form a ‘South Asia Forum’ for generation of debate, discussion as well as an exchange of ideas on South Asia and its future development. This consisting of eminent personalities of diverse background including from all SAARC Member States. To this effect, a concept note on an establishment of a South Asia Forum prepared by India was presented at an informal meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers (New York, 28^th September 2010). The first steering committee for the South Asia Forum (New Delhi, 10^th January 2011) was finalized objectives, scope and guidelines for the Forum including the theme, format, agenda and participation for the first meeting of the South Asia Forum. The first meeting of the South Asia Forum was successfully held at New Delhi from 8^th to 9^th September 2011 under an overarching theme of “Integration in South Asia: Moving Towards a South Asian EconomicUnion.” The forum brought together policy makers, eminent personalities, academia, business leaders and representatives of civil society from all Member States. The draft conclusion covers areas of trade as well as investment; connectivity; energy, environment as well as natural resources; people to people movement; culture; development as well as demography; security; strengthening an existing mechanisms and tools of SAARC; structure as well as functioning of the South Asia Forum and next steps (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3.,accessed on 19-3-2020).

An association of SAARC speakers and parliamentarians was formally launched in 1992 at Kathmandu. The heads of State or Government at their Seventh SAARC summit held at Dhaka in April 1993 welcomed this initiative of the speakers of Parliaments of SAARC countries in forming this Association. This association is a forum for exchange of ideas and information on parliamentary practices and procedures. Its main objectives are to strengthen people-to-people contacts with a view to achieving mutual understanding, trust and friendship among the people of SAARC countries as well as also to promote contacts, coordinate and exchange experiences among parliaments and parliamentarians of SAARC countries. This association has met 8 times so far at various places of the SAARC member countries, which includes 2 times at New Delhi) (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3.,accessed on 19-3-2020).

As far as the tourism is concerned, the leaders during the second Summit held at Bangalore in 1986 underlined that concrete steps should be taken to facilitate tourism in the SAARC region. The successive SAARC summits reiterated an importance of tourism. The SAARC Tourism Ministers meet from time to time to make recommendations for promoting tourism in the region. The SAARC Working Group is in place since 2004 to pursue as well as implement plans and decisions under tourism. So far, the Ministers have met three times and the Working Group has met five times. The last Ministers’ meeting was held at Kathmandu in January 2011 preceded the Fourth Working Group Meeting. A SAARC Action Plan onthe promotion of Tourism has been adopted by the second meeting of Tourism Ministers held at Bangladesh in 2006 and pursued since then. An Action Plan includes a joint pro-active marketing or promotional campaign of the SAARC landmass as a composite destination in an international market. An Action plan also emphasize on the role of private sector of the SAARC region for promotion and development of tourism both intra-regionally and internationally. The fifth Working Group on Tourism which was held at New Delhi from 25 to 26 November 2015. Among others have emphasized on implementation of SAARC Action Plan on promotionof Tourism in the region (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/human-resource-development-and-tourism/click-for-details_3.,accessed on 19-3-2020).

2. Agriculture and Rural Development:

Considering the facts and importance of agriculture, the heads of State or Government agreed at the 18^th Summit held at Kathmandu on 25^th November 2014 “to increase investment, promote research as well as development, facilitate technical cooperation andapply innovative, appropriate as well as reliable technologies in the agriculture sector for enhancing productivity to ensure food and nutritional security in the region. They also underscored an importance of promoting sustainable agriculture”. Subsequently, the third meeting of SAARC agriculture Ministers held at Dhaka on 7^th April 2016 noted that “though agriculture’s contribution to national economies is relatively less it holds tremendous importance in terms of meeting the ever growing nutrition and food security goals of a vast population”. As per the rural development of the SAARC countries is concerned, the secretariat is of the view that focused and integrated rural development programme is need of the time (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_ detail/agriculture-and-rural-development/click-for-details_4, accessed on 19-3-2020).

3. Environment, Natural Disasters and Biotechnology:

The heads of State or Government of the Member States of SAARC at the successive summits since 1987 have reiterated the need to strengthen and intensify regional cooperation to preserve, protect and manage the diverse as well as fragile eco-systems of the region including the need to address the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. The leaders noted that the development process and prospects of the Member States were being severely undermined by these challenges.The preservation as well as protection of an environment including disaster risk reduction and management remains a high priority on an agenda of cooperation being pursued by the Member States of SAARC. The numerous directives issued by successive SAARC summits and meetings of the SAARC environment Ministers provided continued impetus for strengthening and intensifying regional cooperation in areas of environment, climate change and natural disasters. The meetings of the SAARC environment Ministers and the technical committee on Environment and Forestry also provide key mechanisms to guide and facilitate an agenda of cooperation. Regional centers have also been established and constituted an important framework of SAARC Institutions, which address the diverse aspects of environment, climate change and natural disasters (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/environment-natural-disasters-and-biotechnology/click-for-details_6, accessed on 19-3-2020).

The need to institutionalize and promote cooperation in an area of Biotechnology has been recognized by the Heads of State or Government at various SAARC summits since 1990. From 1990-2003, cooperation an area of Biotechnology was pursued by the technical committee on Science and Technology. A working group on Biotechnology was established in 2004 as a part of the restructured SAARC Integrated Programme of Action to coordinate regional cooperation in an area of Biotechnology. The Programme for cooperation in the field of Biotechnology provides for cooperation in 16 areas such as Medical Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology etc. Cooperation identified these areas among the Member States of SAARC will be pursued through hosting of conferences and workshops, post-doctoral fellowships, joint research projects and exchange of visits among scientists and specialists from the region (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/environment-natural-disasters-and-biotechnology/click-for-details_6, accessed on 19-3-2020).

4. Economic, Trade and Finance:

At their eighteenth SAARC summit held at Kathmandu from 26^th to 27^th November 2014, the heads of State or Government expressed their strong determination to deepen regional integration for peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia by intensifying cooperation inter alia in trade, investment, finance, energy, security, infrastructure, connectivity as well as culture and implementing projects, programmes and activities in a prioritized, result-oriented and time-bound manner. The leaders renewed their commitment to achieve South Asian Economic Union (SAEU) in a phased and planned manner through a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market, and a Common Economic as well as Monetary Union. They have acknowledged that SAARC Member States, particularly the least Developed as well as landlocked Member States face structural constraints and challenges that result in their weak productive capacity affecting their competitiveness in external trade due to among others, high trade and transit cost. They have committed to enhance support to the least developed and landlocked member States in their development efforts with a view to ensuring equitable benefits of free trade arrangements. In this context, they have agreed to effectively implement an existing preferential facilities under Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) andSAARC Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS) (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/economic-trade-and-finance/click-for-details_7, accessed on 19-3-2020).

5. Social Affairs:

The SAARC charter had envisages acceleration of social progress through active collaboration and mutual assistance amongst Member States. The focus on social issues under the broad heading of health and population activities were one of the five original areas of cooperation identified by Member States during an inception of the SAARC. This association promotes social agenda in the region mainly through cooperation in the following areas such as Health and Population activities, SAARC Social Charter, Children and Youth and Gender related issues. In addition, there are a number of regional projects underway through SAARC Development Fund (SDF) and others to support social development in the region (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/ area_detail/social-affairs/click-for-details_8, accessed on 19-3-2020).

6. Information andPoverty Alleviation:

The working group on Telecommunications and ICT was established by the Council of Ministers during its twenty-fourth session held at Islamabad in January 2004. Following the closure of two Regional Centres of SAARC Information Centre and SAARC Documentation Centre, the working group has included the following areas under its purview: These are:

1. Use of Information and Communication Technology in the fields of education, public health, agriculture, disaster management etc;

2. Communication and Information Policy for SAARC Member States;

3. Contemporary Trends in Communication in SAARC and

4. People to People contact through Communication Tools and Techniques (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/information-and-poverty-alleviation/click-for-details_9, accessed on 19-3-2020).

The SAARC plan of action on poverty alleviation had been developed and implemented. An annual reporting and assessing of the progress is done through Ministerial meeting. The Secretariat has brought out publications called the Regional Poverty Profile (RPP) until 2009-2010. The Member States have decided to replace the publication of the Regional Poverty Profile with the SAARC Development Report from 2017 onwards. The SAARC Ministers on Poverty Alleviation have met four times and recommended several initiatives, including contextualization of 2030 development agenda from regional perspective, funding of SAARC projects on poverty alleviation under social wing of SAARC Development Fund (SDF) etc (http://saarc-sec.org/ areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/information-and-poverty-alleviation/click-for-details_9, accessed on 19-3-2020).

During an eighteenth SAARC summit, the leaders reiterated their strong commitment to free South Asia from poverty and directed the Ministerial and Secretary-level mechanisms on poverty alleviation to review the progress and revisit the SAARC plan of action and its effective implementation, also taking into account the post-2015 development agenda. They recognized the potential of cooperatives in achieving inclusive, broad-based as well as sustainable economic growth and development and called for sharing of experiences, expertise and best practices in this sector. The leaders also recognized that the post-2015 development agenda, following its adoption at an UN, would present opportunities to complement national and regional efforts on sustainable development. They directed to initiate an Inter-Governmental process to appropriately contextualize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level (http://saarc-sec.org/areas _of_cooperation/area_detail/information-and-poverty-alleviation/click-for-details_9, accessed on 19-3-2020).

7. Energy, Transport, Science and Technology:

As far as the mechanisms for energy is concerned, the process of regional cooperation in an energy sector has began in January 2000 with an establishment of a technical committee on energy. The Council of Ministers have recognizing that this vital area requires focused attention, approved the creation of a specialized working group on Energy in January 2004. The working group has met eight times since its establishment. Similarly energy Ministers so far have held five meetings since 2005 in Islamabad, New Delhi, Colombo, Dhaka and New Delhi. Moreover, this energy Ministers meeting held at Colombo in January 2009 decided formation of expert groups for different commodities and services. As a follow up, the working group on energy constituted expert groups on (i) Oil and Gas (ii) Electricity (iii) Renewable Energy and (iv) Technology and Knowledge sharing (including energy efficiency, coal, etc.). The SAARC Framework Agreement was signed at an eighteenth SAARC summit. The leaders welcomed the signing of the SAARC Framework Agreement for energy cooperation (Electricity). The Governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal have ratified this agreement (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/ area_detail/energy-transport-science-and-technology/ click-for-details_10, accessed on 19-3-2020).

If we see the mechanisms related to transport, at the twelfth SAARC summit held at Islamabad from 4 to 6 January 2004, the heads of State or Government haveemphasized that for accelerated and balanced economic growth it is essential to strengthen transportation, transit and communication links across the region.Subsequently, the SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) was conducted with the financial and technical assistance of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to enhance transport connectivity among the Member States of SAARC to promote intra-regional trade and travel. The SRMTShas consisted of two phases. Phase-I was conducted by the National Consultants of each Member State. The regional consultants conducted Phase-II. The thirty-third session of the Standing Committee held at New Delhi from 31 March to 1 April 2007, This inter-alia directed that an Inter-governmental group on transport should identify and develop sub-regional and regional projects based on an important recommendations contained in the report of the SRMTS for approval of higher SAARC bodies and that an Inter-governmental group on transport may develop the draft regional agreements required for implementing the recommendations of the SRMTS. Further, the Standing Committee decided that the SRMTS should be extended to include Afghanistan (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/ energy-transport-science-and-technology/click-for-details_10, accessed on 19-3-2020).

Finally, the Science and Technology mechanisms reveals that the first meeting of the Ministers of Science and Technology held at New Delhi on 16 September 2008 has adopted an action plan on Science and Technology and a number of short term activities have been undertaken as a follow up to an action plan. These activities were aimed to promote cooperation as envisaged in anaction plan on Science and Technology titled as “Themes for Cooperation”. The convening of the Technical Committee meeting on Science and Technology is a regular mechanism in this important area of cooperation. The fifth meeting of the Committee was held at New Delhi in August 2010 (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/energy-transport-science-and-technology/click-for-details_10, accessed on 19-3-2020).

8. Education, Security and Culture:

The leaders of the SAARC member States have given special attention to enhance the level of literacy in the region by promoting the quality of education. During the second SAARC summit held at Bangalore from 16^th to 17^th November 1986, the heads of State or Government reiterated the great importance of an increasing involvement of the people for ensuring the success of regional co-operation. The Member States have emphasized the need for promoting greater contacts among the peoples of the region through such action as regular and frequent interchange of scholars, academics, artists, authors, professionals and businessmen as well as facilitation of tourism. At an eighth summit held at New Delhi from 02^nd to 04^th May 1995, the heads of State or Government noted that illiteracy is one of the major causes of poverty, backwardness and social injustices and called on the Member States to initiate more concrete programs aimed at eradicating illiteracy in the region preferably by the year 2000 A.D. The leaders decided to observe 1996 as the "SAARC Year of Literacy". The heads of State or Government during an eighteenth summit have expressed their resolve to eliminating illiteracy from the region in line with the global goal of education for all and ensuring quality education in all institutions by reforming curricula, teaching methods as well as evaluation systems adequately supported by physical, technical and other facilities. The leaders have directed their respective Education Ministers to develop a regional strategy for enhancing the quality of education in order to raise the standards of South Asian educational institutions in order to better serve the youth in the region. They have established the South Asian University at New Delhi (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/area_detail/ education-security-and-culture/click-for-details_11, accessed on 19-3-2020).

Regarding the security aspects are concerned, the SAARC has implemented many directives to ensure the security from terrorism, drug trafficking, child as well as women trafficking, transnational crimes, which are common social evils within the region. It was emphasized in many SAARC meetings that while condemning terrorism in all its forms as well as manifestations, collective actions in fighting this menace and stressed that terrorists should not escape prosecution. During the second SAARC summit held at Bangalore from 16^th to17^th November 1986, the heads of State or Government agreed that co-operation among SAARC States was vital if terrorism was to be prevented and eliminated from the region. The leaders unequivocally condemned all acts, methods as well as practices of terrorism as criminal and deplored their impact on life and property, social and economic development, political stability, regional as well as international peace and co-operation. The SAARC convention on Mutual Assistance in criminal matters was signed at the fifteenth summit held at Colombo from 02nd to 03rd August 2008 etc. (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/ area_detail/education-security-and-culture/click-for-details_11, accessed on 19-3-2020).

As far as the culture is concerned, the regional cooperation in the field of culture started with the first meeting of the technical committee on Sports, Arts and Culture held at New Delhi in January 1989. Since then, it has been an important area of cooperation among the SAARC countries. At aneighteenth SAARC summit, the leaders “directed to implement the SAARC agenda for culture and agreed to develop a cultural trail linking major Buddhist historical sites in the region. The Member States have also agreed to take measures to preserve and restitute the South Asian cultural property and create a SAARC heritage list together with an operational guidelines. Furthermore, they declared the year 2016 as the SAARC year of cultural heritage and tasked the relevant bodies to develop an action plan for its success. They further agreed to facilitate access of persons visiting prominent and holy sites of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and all other major religions in South Asia” (http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation/ area_detail/education-security-and-culture/click-for-details_11, accessed on 19-3-2020).

V. THE SAARC SUMMITS:

As mentioned earlier, the SAARC’s seven founding members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan has joined this organization in 2007. However, Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea and United States are the Observers to the SAARC. The meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually. The meetings of foreign secretaries use to take place twice annually. It is headquartered at Kathmandu, which is the capital city of Nepal (http://www.sdfsec.org, accessed on 17-3-2020). The meeting of the heads of State or Government of Member States is the highest decision making authority under the SAARC. Thesummits are usually held biennially hosted by a Member State in alphabetical order. The Member State hosting the summit assumes the chair of this association. The key outcome of a SAARC summit is a declaration. The summit declaration contains decisions and directives of the leaders to strengthen and consolidate regional cooperation in different areas being pursued under auspices of SAARC.

The declaration is adopted by the leaders at the concluding session of a summit. The summit also considers and approves reports of the Council of Ministers and Ministerial Meetings. During the summit, policy statements on regional cooperation under the SAARC are made by the leaders. The summit is also addressed by heads of observer delegations and by the Secretary General (http://www.sdfsec.org,accessed on 17-3-2020).

The following table gives the details of the 18 SAARC summits held so far.

S. No.	Location	Date of Summit
1	Dhaka	7-8 December, 1985
2	Bangalore	16-17 November, 1986
3	Kanthmandu	2-4 November, 1987
4	Islamabad	2-31 December, 1988
5	Male'	21-23 November, 1990
6	Colombo	21 December, 1991
7	Dhaka	10-11 April, 1993
8	New Delhi	2-4 May, 1995
9	Male'	12-14 May, 1997
10	Colombo	29-31 July, 1998
11	Kathmandu	4-6 January, 2002
12	Islamabad	2-6 January, 2004
13	Dhaka	12-13 November, 2005
14	New Delhi	3-4 April, 2007
15	Colombo	1-3 August, 2008
16	Thimphu	28-29 April, 2010
17	Addu	10-11 November, 2011
18	Kathmandu	26-27 November 2014

Source: http://saarc-sec.org/saarc-summits, accessed on 18-3-2020

An analysis of above mentioned table reveals that the first summit of this association was held from 7^th to 8^th December, 1985 at Dhaka. The 18^th summit of this association was held from 26^th to 27^th November 2014 at Kathmandu. There were 3 summits held in India. However, the last 19^th summit was supposed to be held at Islamabad, which is capital of Pakistan country from 15^th to 19^th November 2016 but got cancelled due to after aterrorist attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir. The summit was to be attended by the leaders of an eight SAARC member states and representatives of observers and guest states. Following the rising diplomatic tensions after an Uri terrorist attack, India has announced its boycott of the summit, alleging that Pakistan's involvement in this attack. Later, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives were also pulled out of the summit. These reasons were culminating in an indefinite postponement of this summit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 19^th_SAARC_summit, accessed on 18-3-2020).

VI. THE SAARC INITIATIVES FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT:

The SAARC administrative initiatives for the development of its member countries are analyzed below.

A. SAARC Development Goals:

An Independent South Asian Commission for Poverty Alleviation (ISACPA) has developed a comprehensive set of twenty two SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) under four clusters in 2006. These are Livelihood, Health, Education, and Environment. As directed by the leaders, SAARC is making sustained progress to mainstream SDGs in the national process, develop as well as implement regional and sub-regional projects towards an attainment of SAARC development goals (http://www.sdfsec.org,accessed on 17-3-2020).

B. SAARC Development Fund (SDF):

SAARC Development Fund (SDF) was established and inaugurated on 28^th April, 2010 by the heads of States or Governments during the sixteenth SAARC summit held at Thimphu in Bhutancountry.This fund serves as an umbrella financial institution for SAARC projects and programs, which are in fulfillment of objectives of the SAARC charter. It is aimed to contribute to regional cooperation and integration through project collaboration (http://www.sdfsec.org/about-sdf, accessed on 18-3-2020). Moreover, this also aims to promote the welfare of the people of SAARC region, improve their quality of life as well as accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the region (http:// www.sdfsec.org/our_focus, accessed on 18-3-2020). The SDF secretariat is there at Thimphu, which is the capital city of Bhutan Country. The SAARC Development Fund Secretariat operates through the three financing windows such as social, economic and infrastructure (SAARC Development Fund (2016 and 2017), p.5). The SDF mainly focuses on the welfare of the people of SAARC region so that their quality of life can be improved (http://www.sdfsec.org/project-search, accessedon 18-3-2020). However, more about this was analyzed below.

1. The Background of the SDF:

In 1996, a first funding mechanism was created in SAARC called as ‘South Asian Development Fund (SADF), which merging the SAARC Fund for Regional Projects (SFRP) and the SAARC Regional Fund. The SADF objectives were to support industrial development, poverty alleviation, protection of environment, institutional as well as human resource development and promotion of social as well asinfrastructure development projects in the SAARC region. A primary reason for establishing the SDF was that an existing South Asian Development Fund (SADF) was found to be inadequate i.e. in terms of required quantum of funds and its limited scope of work. In order to avoid proliferation of funds, the SAARC financial experts in September 2005 looked at an entire gamut of issues relating to funding of SAARC projects, programmes and, amongst others agreed that in lieu of proliferating sectorial financing mechanisms, the SADF be reconstituted into the SAARC Development Fund (SDF). The thirteenth SAARC Summit, which was held at Dhaka from 12^th to 13^th November 2005, finally decided to reconstitute the SADF into SAARC Development Fund to serve as an “umbrella financial mechanism” for all SAARC projects and programmes (http://www.sdfsec.org/about-sdf, dated on 18-3-2020).

To support its objectives, the SDF has mandate to identify the projects, finance projects, mobilize funds, provide financing and technical assistance including managing of the fund. Moreover, the SDF secretariat’s main activities are as follows in order to support its objectives.

1. Identify, study prospect and approve projects.

2. Finance approved projects in the SAARC Member States.

3. Leverage funding i.e. arranges and mobilizes financing and/or co-financing projects.

4. Provide grants for projects of strategic importance to SAARC.

5. Provide financial and technical assistance and

6. Manage the Fund (http://www.sdfsec.org/project-search, accessed on 18-3-2020).

2. The SDF has the following three Windows:

a. Social Window:

It focuses on funding projects on poverty alleviation, improving health as well as education and so on. More over, social development focusing on education, health and human resources development to support to vulnerable as well as disadvantaged segments of the society; funding needs of communities, micro-enterprises and rural infrastructure development. An action plan for the future for Social Window as follows:

1. Launching of Social Enterprises Development Program in collaboration with the World Bank.

2. Fund mobilization through CSR program.

3. Funding of new projects based on loan and grants combination.

4. Social audit for projects completed.

5. Online monitoring and evaluation.

6. Fund mobilization.

7. Entrepreneurship development and

8. Sustainability of Social Window (SW) projects (http://www.sdfsec.org/project-search, accessedon 18-3-2020).

b. Economic Window:

This economic window funds non-infrastructural project related to trade and industry development, agriculture, service sector, scienceand technology and other non-infrastructure areas. Under the Economic Window, the SDF proposes to fund Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) program in SAARC Member States. The MSME funding scheme within aneconomic window of SDF. The MSME funding scheme of SDF has recently been approved in the 30^th SDF board meeting (http://www.sdfsec.org/about-sdf, accessed on 18-3-2020).

c. Infrastructure Window:

This infrastructural window funds projects in areas such as energy, power as well as transportation, telecommunications, environment, tourism and other infrastructure areas (http://www.sdfsec.org/about-sdf, accessed on 18-3-2020).

3. The Projects under the SDF:

The following are the projects undertaken under SDF.

1. Strengthening the livelihood initiative for homebased workers in SAARC Region.

2. Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Including Immunization.

3. Scaling up of Zero Energy Cold Storage (ZECS) technology for the horticultural commodities in the high hills of SAARC countries.

4. Empowering Rural Communities: Reaching the Unreached.

5. South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC).

6. Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits in Production Catchments in SAARC Countries.

7. Regional Inter-professional Master’s Program in Rehabilitation Science.

8. Toll Free Helplines for Women and Children in SAARC Member States.

9. Strengthening of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in selected areas of SAARC Countries.

10. Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries (Note-1).

11. Networking and capacity building of women entrepreneurs (SMEs) from SAARC Countries.

12. Financing of Purchase of ATR 42 600 aircraft by Drukair Corporation Limited under Sovereign guarantee by Royal Government of Bhutan (http:// www.sdfsec.org/project-search, accessedon 18-3-2020).

4. The Partnership – Building Strategic Alliances:

The SDF has established and strengthened relationship with various partners to co-finance the cross border projects through the memorandum of understanding. The SDF has developed a working relationship with various multinational development banks, international financial institutions, regional banks, MSME banks, SME banks, Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Trade and investment promotion agencies (http://www.sdfsec.org/ about-sdf, accessed on 18-3-2020).

5. The Current Status of the SDF:

If we see currently, the SDF is implementing over 90 projects in all SAARC Member States. There are 87 projects (13 areas) across all SAARC Member States under the social window with fund commitment of USD 75.23 million. An USD 48.21 million have been disbursed. There are five projects under Economic and Infrastructure windows (including 2 in-principle approved projects) with a fund commitment of USD 73 million and MSME program with fund allocation of USD 50 million in SAARC Member States. They have disbursed USD 13 million under Economic Window for financing of ATR aircraft for Drukair Corporation, which there in Bhutan country. The cumulative fund commitment under the three funding windows including MSME program stands allocation is at an USD 198.23 million. Further, more than 10 bankable projects are also under an active consideration of the SDF to co-finance in SAARC Member States. (http://www.sdfsec.org/about-sdf, accessed on 18-3-2020).

C. The COVID-19 Emergency Fund:

The third SAARC initiative for its development was the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. The Prime Minister of India Mr.Narendra Modi has addressed the first ever video conference of the heads of member countries of the SAARC to fight the threat of COVID-19 in South Asia on 15-3-2020. In that conference he has said that “We all agree that we are facing a serious challenge. We do not as yet know what shape the pandemic will take in the coming days. It is clear that we have to work together. In this sprit of collaboration, let me share a few ideas on what India can offer to this joint effort. I propose we create a COVID19 Emergency Fund, which could be based on voluntary contribution from all of us. India can start with an initial offer of 10 million U.S dollars for this fund” (The Hindu, dated on 16-3-2020). This was created with an initiative of India country for the SAARC member countries development purpose. The success of this Modi-SAARC initiative will largely depend on India, which is the dominant power of the region in every sense (Amitabh Mattoo (2020), p.8). This above theoretical study analysis of the SAARC reveals that it is very significant for the south Asia region.

VII. CONCLUSION:

To sum up this article, despite India’s some borders problems with Pakistan and Nepal countries and the 19^th SAARC summit was not held so far, the SAARC administration has been working well for the development of its 8 member countries purpose. So, there is no doubt that an existence of SAARC intergovernmental organization is very much essential and significant for the south Asia region of an Asian continent in the world.

VIII. REFERENCES:

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Received on 13.02.2021 Modified on 21.03.2021

Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2021; 12(2):93-102.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2021.00014