Sri Lankas Former Prime Minister Calls For Revival Of Saarc For Regional Development

In 2020, Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to foster regional development and integration. He highlighted that despite its potential, SAARC has remained largely inactive since its last summit in 2014, with major summits often canceled due to security and political tensions, notably between India and Pakistan. Wickremesinghe's call underscores a growing recognition among some regional leaders that renewed cooperation could address persistent economic disparities, low intra-regional trade, and shared security challenges in South Asia.

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Introduction: The Significance of SAARC in South Asian Geopolitics

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) stands as a pivotal regional organization aimed at fostering economic, political, and social collaboration among South Asian nations. Established in 1985 through the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the organization was envisioned as a platform to promote mutual understanding, regional stability, and shared prosperity among its member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Despite its noble objectives, SAARC’s operational history has been marred by political disputes, security concerns, and external challenges, which have limited its effectiveness.

The call by Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2020 to revive SAARC reflects a broader regional debate about the organization’s potential as a vehicle for addressing South Asia’s complex issues, ranging from economic disparities and infrastructure deficits to security threats like terrorism. This analysis delves into the historical context of SAARC, the reasons for its stagnation, the significance of Wickremesinghe’s appeal, and the broader implications for Indian foreign policy and regional diplomacy.

Origins and Founding Principles

SAARC’s inception was motivated by the desire of South Asian nations to overcome historical rivalries, foster economic cooperation, and ensure regional stability. The organization’s founding document, the SAARC Charter, emphasizes principles such as sovereignty, equality, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution. Its primary objectives include promoting regional economic integration, social development, cultural cooperation, and security.

Early Initiatives and Frameworks

One of the earliest tangible initiatives was the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), launched in 2006 with the aim of reducing tariffs and promoting intra-regional trade. Other initiatives include regional cooperation in health, disaster management, agriculture, and environmental issues. Despite these efforts, intra-regional economic integration has remained limited, with intra-SAARC trade accounting for less than 5% of total trade, a stark contrast to other regional blocs such as East Asia or Europe.

Summits and Diplomatic Engagements

SAARC’s highest decision-making body is the Summit of Heads of State or Government, convened periodically. However, the last summit was held in 2014 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since then, political disagreements—most notably between India and Pakistan—have led to cancellations of subsequent summits, with the 2016 summit in Pakistan canceled due to terrorist attacks in Pathankot and Uri, which Pakistan and India blamed each other for.

The South Asia Foreign Ministers’ meetings, which are more routine, have continued sporadically, with the most recent held in 2019 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. These meetings serve as forums for diplomatic engagement but have not translated into substantive progress on regional issues.

Bilateral Tensions and Political Disagreements

The persistent India-Pakistan rivalry remains the most significant obstacle to SAARC’s effectiveness. Both countries are nuclear-armed and have unresolved disputes over Kashmir, which have led to mutual distrust and reluctance to engage in multilateral initiatives. These tensions often spill over into SAARC meetings, leading to boycott or cancellation of summits.

India’s stance has been that regional cooperation should not be used to address bilateral issues, advocating instead for bilateral engagement. Pakistan, on the other hand, perceives SAARC as an opportunity for regional influence but remains wary of India’s dominance within the organization.

Security Concerns and Terrorism

Terrorist activities in the region, especially in India and Afghanistan, have heightened security concerns. The 2016 cancellation of the SAARC summit in Pakistan was a direct consequence of terrorist attacks, which Pakistan was accused of harboring or supporting elements involved. These security issues, coupled with cross-border tensions, have hampered trust-building measures necessary for regional cooperation.

Structural and Institutional Limitations

SAARC’s decision-making process requires unanimity among member states, making it difficult to implement projects or policies when disagreements arise. Its non-binding nature and lack of enforcement mechanisms further weaken its authority. The organization’s secretariat, based in Kathmandu, has limited capacity and resources to drive initiatives independently.

External Factors

Regional and extraregional influences also impact SAARC’s trajectory. The strategic competition between India and China, the influence of the United States, and security concerns from external powers shape the regional dynamics that either facilitate or hinder cooperation.

Rationale Behind the Revival

Wickremesinghe’s advocacy for SAARC’s revival is rooted in the belief that regional cooperation can address South Asia’s shared challenges more effectively than bilateral efforts alone. He emphasized that regional integration could boost economic growth, improve infrastructure, and foster cultural exchanges, all of which are vital for the development of smaller economies like Sri Lanka.

Economic Imperatives

South Asia remains one of the least economically integrated regions globally. With intra-regional trade constituting less than 5% of total trade, the potential for economic growth through cooperation remains largely untapped. Reviving SAARC’s trade protocols, like SAFTA, and deepening cooperation in sectors like energy, transport, and tourism could catalyze regional prosperity.

Security and Stability

Security concerns, particularly terrorism, maritime security, and climate change impacts, are shared by South Asian countries. Collective efforts in disaster management, counter-terrorism, and environmental protection could mitigate vulnerabilities if SAARC functions actively.

Political and Diplomatic Benefits

A revived SAARC could serve as a diplomatic platform to manage contentious issues more constructively. It could help normalize relations, especially between India and Pakistan, by providing a multilateral framework that encourages dialogue, confidence-building measures, and dispute resolution.

Balancing Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements

India’s approach to regional cooperation is nuanced. While supporting regional organizations like SAARC, India often prefers bilateral negotiations with neighboring countries to address specific issues. Wickremesinghe’s call for revival poses a challenge: India must decide whether to embrace a more active multilateral role or continue its cautious stance to avoid being perceived as dominating the regional agenda.

Managing India-Pakistan Relations

A revived SAARC could serve as a channel for India and Pakistan to engage indirectly on issues beyond their bilateral disputes. However, given the deep mistrust, progress remains uncertain. India’s emphasis on bilateral engagement on contentious issues continues to be a sticking point.

Leveraging Regional Platforms

India’s participation in regional forums such as BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and the Bay of Bengal Community, along with its involvement in SAARC, reflects its strategic interest in regional connectivity. Reviving SAARC could complement these efforts, fostering a comprehensive regional architecture.

Integrating Economic and Security Policies

India’s foreign policy increasingly emphasizes economic growth, connectivity, and regional stability. Revitalizing SAARC aligns with these priorities, especially in promoting regional connectivity corridors like the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) and India’s Act East policy.

Potential for Partial Revival

While full revival of SAARC faces structural and political hurdles, incremental steps—such as renewed diplomatic dialogues, confidence-building measures, and expanded cooperation in non-controversial sectors—are feasible. The 2019 Foreign Ministers’ meeting indicates some momentum.

External Influences and Regional Power Dynamics

China’s growing influence in South Asia, through infrastructure projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the U.S. strategic interests in countering China, influence regional cooperation prospects. India seeks to enhance connectivity and regional influence, which could either complement or conflict with these external interests.

Impact of Domestic Politics

Political changes within member states, including shifts in leadership or policy orientation, significantly influence regional cooperation. Nationalistic sentiments, electoral cycles, and domestic priorities often hinder long-term commitments to multilateral initiatives.

Environmental and Humanitarian Concerns

Shared challenges such as climate change, water resource management, and disaster preparedness require regional coordination. SAARC’s potential to address these issues remains largely underutilized but offers a pathway for collective action.

Regional Stability and Security Architecture

SAARC aims to be a cornerstone of regional stability, but persistent conflicts and strategic rivalries undermine this goal. Its revival could complement broader security frameworks, including counter-terrorism alliances and maritime security arrangements.

Socio-Cultural and Humanitarian Dimensions

Beyond politics and economics, SAARC fosters cultural exchanges, educational programs, and disaster response mechanisms. Strengthening these soft-power aspects can promote regional identity and cooperation.

Connecting to India’s Strategic Goals

For India, regional cooperation aligns with its vision of a peaceful neighborhood and economic integration. The ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy emphasizes boosting ties with neighbors through multilateral forums and connectivity initiatives.

Conclusion: Navigating Opportunities and Obstacles

The advocacy by Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister in 2020 underscores a critical juncture for South Asian regionalism. While structural, political, and security hurdles remain formidable, the potential benefits of a revived and active SAARC are significant. For India, engaging proactively in this endeavor could enhance regional stability, economic growth, and diplomatic influence. However, realizing this potential requires trust-building, flexible diplomacy, and inclusive regional policies that accommodate the diverse interests of South Asian nations.

The future of SAARC hinges on whether member states can transcend bilateral disputes, leverage external dynamics constructively, and commit to regional development as a shared goal. The renewed calls for revival reflect a recognition that regional cooperation is not just desirable but essential for addressing the complex, interconnected challenges of South Asia.