scholarly journals Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Exploring the Three Pillars of Regionalism and their Relevance

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 2050008
Author(s):  
ADITI PAUL
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Economic Liberalization ◽  
Economic Interdependence ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
The South ◽  
Regional Organizations ◽  
Peace And Security ◽  
Power Balancing

The lofty ideals penned by the heads of the South Asian states at the birth of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) reflect a vision for promoting mutual trust and understanding in South Asia. But the member states have fallen into the intricate web of power balancing games, fluctuating economic growth and volatile ethnic and religious conditions that has marred the potential gains from regionalism. In such a scenario, while SAARCs snail-like progress continues without any remarkable achievements, there has been a rise of new regional organizations that has not only renewed our attention towards economic liberalization and the benefits accrued from multilateral economic cooperation but has also put into question the fundamentals of regionalism. The paper situates regionalism in acts of cooperation that are not isolated and discrete from each other but rather form a pattern of interconnecting expectations about the future of the alliance and the assumptions on legitimate activities. The paper argues that regionalism is a multi-faceted task and involves political harmony, economic interdependence and common identity as the three pillars. But regionalism in South Asia encourages economic interdependence and proscribes political integration and common values and norms. As a result, the attempts at regionalism in South Asia are conceptually narrow, limited in agenda and inadequate to address the issues of regional peace and security.

scholarly journals Climate change, regulatory policies and regional cooperation in South Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Zafarullah ◽  
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Policies ◽  
Asian Region ◽  
South Asian Region

Purpose With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships. Design/methodology/approach Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region. Findings Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation. Originality/value The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.

scholarly journals Analisis Teori Fungsionalisme pada Integrasi Kawasan Asia Selatan (Studi Kasus Konflik India-Pakistan di wilayah Kashmir)

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-195
Author(s):  
Tri Shinta
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
The South ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Real ◽  
Complex Region ◽  
Good Relation

South Asia is a complex region. It is marked with the emergence and continuity of the conflict. India-Pakistan conflict is one of them. This conflict begun on 1947 and the biggest of conflict divided into three conflicts. Functionalism according to David Mitrany in “A Working Peace System” believes that Region Integration is trusted to make the conflict lower and good relation among state. This perception applied on 1985 in South Asia, which known with SAARC (The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The fact, this conflict still continues till today. However, this paper seeks for the analysis of how’s functionalism theory explain the conflict of India-Pakistan on the regional integration: is that the conflict form an ideal integration of Sout Asia and decline the conflict, or conversely. Furthermore, the result of this research describes that Functionalism is not success on explaining South Asia integration, which means the India-Pakistan conflict still exist and the real integration among member states still not exist yet.

Institutions of International Law and the Development of Regional Forum for Peaceful Dialogue in South Asia

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javaid Rehman
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
International Law ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Regional Institutions ◽  
Political Conflicts ◽  
The World ◽  
Peace And Security ◽  
Substantial Risk

AbstractSince 11 September 2001, international law and the community it governs are at a crossroads. While the world appears to be besieged by terrorist threats from non-state actors such as the Al-Qaeda, there is also a substantial risk of super-power unilateralism and arrogance. Amidst these crises, South-Asia occupies a sensitive and vulnerable position. The region is also beset with ethnic, religious, and domestic political conflicts which provide substantial threats to regional peace and security. Against the backdrop of the enormous complications faced by South Asia, the present article considers the role of international and regional institutions in developing forums for establishing peace and security for the region, as well greater promotion of human rights. A particular focus is upon the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which, it is contended, is an organisation capable of providing a suitable platform for peaceful dialogue within South-Asia.

What Does Gravity Model Reveal About SAFTA?

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-197
Author(s):  
Renu Verma ◽  
Jaidev Dubey
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The South ◽  
Regional Trade ◽  
Multilateral Trade

During last decade, the stalemate in multilateral trade negotiations under the framework of World Trade Organization (WTO) regime has provided impetus to the signing of regional trade agreements world over .South Asia is not an exception to this trend and has been involved in setting up its own bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs). Most commonly cited cooperation agreements are Agreement on Trade and Commerce between India and Bhutan(1972), India-Nepal Bilateral Trade and Transit Treaties(1991), India–Sri Lanka Bilateral Free Trade Area(1998) Bangkok Agreement (1975),  Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC-2004) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association of Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC-1997). One of  the most significant steps  towards regional economic cooperation in the history of South Asian countries, was taken with signing of The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) formed in 1985 with the objective of exploiting “accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region” for the welfare of the peoples of South Asia. And then seven South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—initiated a framework for region-wide integration under the South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) in 1995. In order to further cement the regional economic relations and overcome some impediments of SAPTA, the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was signed in early 2004, which came into force on 1st July 2006. The SAFTA is a parallel initiative to the multilateral trade liberalization commitments of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. SAFTA aims to reduce tariffs for intraregional trade among the seven SAARC member countries. It has been agreed that for the South Asian countries, Pakistan and India will eliminate all tariffs by 2012, Sri Lanka by 2013 and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal by 2015. The current paper is an attempt in assessing the potential trade in the region with latest dataset  with Gravity model approach.

Rejuvenating SAARC: The Strategic Payoffs for India

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1850132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Sawhney ◽  
Rajiv Kumar
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
The South ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Economic Interaction ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Indian Perspective

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, SAARC, founded in 1985, has floundered since its inception due to the lack of a strong political will. This article evaluates the political-economic and strategic benefits of deeper integration in South Asia from the Indian perspective. The abysmally low level of integration witnessed so far in the region has been driven by a myriad of constraints that restrict economic interaction among the South Asian countries. Gains from regional integration can emerge only after these constraints are effectively addressed. The central argument of the article is that recent global developments and increasing openness of SAARC economies are moving the principal drivers of this process towards a more supportive stance for SAARC and this creates a new window of opportunity. This opportunity must be seized by India as it has taken on the chairmanship of the organization, because a successful SAARC directly contributes to India's strategic objectives both in the region and also globally. In this context the article discusses ten reasons for India to rejuvenate integration efforts and revive regional cooperation in South Asia.

scholarly journals Regional Cooperation in Industrial Revolution 4.0 and South Asia: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-98
Author(s):  
Arpita Mukherjee ◽  
Divya Satija
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The South ◽  
Development Goals

This paper examines the current status of use of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (4th IR) in South Asia and the role and need for regional cooperation to harness the potential and benefits of 4th IR. It examines the development across South Asian countries, their participation in international forums, their level of collaboration and cooperation in technology adaptation and digitalization. Based on secondary data analysis and in-depth meetings with experts, the paper explores the potential of 4th IR in this region and identifies the challenges of South Asian countries. It then presents recommendations on how the South Asian countries can harness the benefits of 4th IR and address their common concerns through collaborations under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), so that all member countries can benefit from 4th IR, by leveraging each other’s best practices and comparative advantages. This can help countries in the region to achieve high and inclusive growth and meet their sustainable development goals. JEL: O3, O57, F13

River rivalry: water disputes, resource insecurity and diplomatic deadlock in South Asia

Water Policy ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Wirsing ◽  
Christopher Jasparro
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
River Basin ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
Resource Endowments ◽  
Integrated Or

This article examines the reasons for the stalled river resource diplomacy that exists among the South Asian region's four main co-riparian states (India–Pakistan in the west; India–Bangladesh–Nepal in the east). It maintains that the stalemate emerges from three stubborn realities characterizing these states—first, the existence among them of fundamental differences in natural river resource endowments; second, the pressure on all of their governments to give highest priority to their own country's river resource requirements; and third, their resolute adherence to diplomatic strategies that are in large part irreconcilable. It maintains, further, that the stalemate is unlikely to be overcome, barring a dramatic change in the way the region's river resources are conceptualized and managed. This means, concretely, that these states would have to abandon their current almost exclusively unilateralist inclinations in favor of bilateral or even multilateral approaches that were significantly more trans-boundary, integrated or “river basin” in focus. It warns that the continued festering of un-addressed river resource disputes between these states—between India and Pakistan, India and Nepal, and India and Bangladesh—is bound to retard rational river resource development in the region, stiffen the antagonism already apparent in their bilateral relationships and, inevitably, weigh heavily against hopes for expanded regional cooperation.

The Significance of SAARC in the South Asia Region: A Theoretical Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
Rama Rao Bonagani
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Theoretical Study ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Political Organization ◽  
The South ◽  
Strict Adherence ◽  
Intergovernmental Organization ◽  
United Nations Charter

This article has investigated whether the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is significant in the South Asia region of Asia continent in the world or not. The SAARC was established on 8th December 1985. It is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. The present SAARC comprises of 8 member states such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is an economic and political organization in this region. The SAARC countries are of different sizes both geographically as well as population wise and have different resource endowments. With its population, economy and area wise, India is the largest country in the SAARC region. 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. The last 19th SAARC summit scheduled was supposed to be held at Islamabad in November 2016, but this was postponed after the terrorist attack at Uri in India. After this incident, the 19th SAARC summit was not held so far.

scholarly journals South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation & its Contribution to the South Asian Politics and Economy

2019 ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Masum Billah
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
The South ◽  
Member States ◽  
Intergovernmental Organization

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAARC comprises 3% of the world's area, 21% of the world's population and 3.8% (US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy, as of 2015.

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