Abstract
A number of queries will be raised in this research paper, regarding the
mechanism and utility of international regional organizations. We will address
ourselves, trying to look for a clue that why Pakistan joined these organizations;
both security related and groupings with economic preferences. We would
investigate the rationale for Pakistani membership as well as the diminishing
results of these regional groupings. In the era of Cold War, i.e. 1950s to 1970s, the
focal point of Pakistan’s foreign policy remained in cooperation with the regional
countries for the uplift of its security needs; not withstanding that Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) were
American sponsored. However, we cannot ignore the fact that co-members like
Iran and Turkey were Pakistan’s closest allies; regardless of the fact that these
three countries coordinated their policies within the grand design of American
containment of the communist ideology.
We would look into those factors; responsible for the slackness of RCD and
its forerunner ECO, when its nomenclature was changed in 1980s. Pakistan
experimented with yet another regional organization in South Asian region, South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), mainly at the behest of
then Bangladesh President General Zia urRehman; who felt that Indian dominance
could only be dampened if the smaller countries of the region grouped together to
coordinate their economic relations. However, India also joined this organization
reluctantly.
There are examples of regional trading blocs,scattered around the globe,
which have developed into more comprehensive legal and economic unions.
Technical advancement of the latter half of the twentieth century has reduced the
distances and facilitated swift and reliable transportation of profitable trading
goods.
South Asia is one of the poorest regions in the world. It is densely populated
but comparatively scarcely educated territory. People of this area have many
historical commonalities as well as differences. The people, of this resourceful but
mismanaged and ill maintained area, had realized that salvation lies in acceptable
mutual cooperation and dependable mutual assistance.
The primary focus of this research will be on the establishment, aims,
objectives and weaknesses of SAARC. It was established almost thirty years ago
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with intensions to boost mutual reliance and cooperation. This paper is an attempt
to evaluate the primary causes of non-cooperation between the major SAARC
members: as well as all other members. Along with that, the potentials and
prospects of promoting cooperation, between the members, will also be
highlighted.
According to Dr. Kheffens(1988), “A regional arrangement is a voluntary
association of sovereign states within a certain area or having common interest in
that area for a joint purpose which should not be of an offensive nature in relation
to that area”. Keeping in mind such principles, one needs to identify the place, role
and significance of regional organizations in the international setup. Willy Brandt
(2001), the famous German Chancellor, had said that an appreciable economic
world order could be facilitated and ensured through regional organizations; which
help countries harmonize their interests more efficiently
Ahmad Raza Khan. (2015) Impediments to the Success of SAARC, South Asian Studies, Volume 30, Issue 1.
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