Regional organizations have emerged as pivotal platforms for fostering cooperation and development across various parts of the world. The European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) serve as prime examples of how nations can work together for mutual benefit. In South Asia, a similar need for regional collaboration was recognized, leading to the formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Established in 1985, SAARC was born to enhance socio-economic development and cultural exchange among its member states-Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. From its inception, SAARC aimed to create a framework for cooperation among countries sharing common challenges, such as poverty and underdevelopment, which affect approximately one-fifth of the world's population. Despite its noble objectives, SAARC has faced numerous challenges that hinder its progress, including historical tensions among member countries and a lack of cohesive policies.

Objectives of SAARC: Keeping the overall interest in view, SAARC has formulated its objectives. Those are as follows:

1. Promote the welfare of South Asian people and enhance their excellence.

2. Accelerate the region's economic prosperity, social progress, and cultural development.

3. Helping South Asian countries to develop self-reliance and empowerment.

4. Understanding each other's problems, building mutual trust, and developing a deeper understanding.

5. Promote collaboration and mutual assistance in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields.

6. Increase cooperation with other developing countries.

Factors Limiting SAARC's Progress in Regional Cooperation: Despite having clear objectives, SAARC could not gain substantial success due to some constraints. Significant constraints faced by SAARC are furnished below:

Uncommon Threat Perception: One major challenge to SAARC's effectiveness is the absence of a unified security framework, as member states often lack a shared perception of common threats. Instead of focusing on collective issues, regional security is frequently approached through a bilateral lens, with states prioritizing individual concerns over regional ones. This fragmented approach hampers cooperation on crucial issues like climate change, terrorism, and economic stability and undermines trust among member states. Without a cohesive threat perception, SAARC struggles to build collaborative defense and response mechanisms, weakening the region's ability to address traditional and non-traditional security threats.

Geopolitical Tensions: The geopolitical landscape in South Asia challenges SAARC's unity and effectiveness as regional power imbalances. In particular, the larger countries' dominant influence can lead to internal tensions. The involvement of global powers like the United States, Russia, and China in pursuing their strategic interests further complicates SAARC's mission. These dynamics risk overshadowing the organization's focus on economic cooperation and development. Smaller member states may feel marginalized, while external pressures can interfere with SAARC's agenda. As a result, SAARC's ability to promote a peaceful and collaborative environment for development in South Asia remains limited.

Information Gap: An information gap remains a significant obstacle to practical cooperation within SAARC, as member countries lack comprehensive and transparent data on each other's capabilities, trade policies, and distribution networks. This gap hampers the ability to form cohesive strategies and fully leverage each country's trade, infrastructure, and industry strengths. Moreover, the information gap also creates bilateral distrust and dissonance. Without sufficient and accessible information, mutual trust is challenging to build, and opportunities for synergy and economic growth are often missed.

Disparities Among Member Countries: Disparities in size, economic power, strength, and political influence among SAARC member states create differing perspectives on regional issues, with smaller nations often fearing pressure from larger ones. These imbalances and varied development levels foster mistrust as smaller countries worry about the dominance of their larger counterparts. This lack of trust hampers collaboration and slows SAARC's progress in building a unified regional framework.

Diversified Economic Interests: SAARC includes a mix of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs), resulting in divergent regional economic interests. LDCs' priorities often focus on primary resources, infrastructure development, and foreign aid, while developing countries may seek to enhance trade, technological advancements, and investment. This diversity complicates the formulation of cohesive regional policies that address the needs of all member states. Additionally, competition for limited resources can create tensions and hinder collaborative initiatives, making achieving consensus on economic matters challenging within SAARC.

Commitment Issues: Member states frequently need to make adequate commitments to SAARC due to their attention to critical local issues. Regional cooperation may suffer as countries prioritize internal concerns such as economic development, political stability, and social welfare. This focus might contribute to a lack of urgency in collaborative activities inside the organization, reducing SAARC's overall efficacy. As a result, a lack of collective engagement diminishes the possibility of shared solutions and stifles progress on regional projects addressing similar concerns.

Limited Organizational Power: SAARC's limited organizational power constrains its ability to address regional issues effectively. Its consensus-based decision-making often slows down action, leading to stalled initiatives and unresolved challenges. As a result, the organization struggles to present a unified front and meaningfully impact regional dynamics.

Poverty: According to the World Bank, poverty remains a critical challenge in the SAARC region, with around 34% of the population living below the poverty line. Countries like Afghanistan and Bangladesh experience exceptionally high poverty rates, while rural areas can see rates as high as 50%. This economic growth disparity is exacerbated by unemployment, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare. Persistent poverty stifles individual potential and hinders overall economic growth and social stability.

Huge Population: The population problem in SAARC countries poses significant challenges to sustainable development. With a combined population of over 1.8 billion, South Asia accounts for nearly 25% of the world's total. Rapid population growth strains resources, leading to unemployment, urban overcrowding, and pressure on infrastructure. Additionally, high fertility rates contribute to a youth bulge, with around 50% of the population under 25, complicating efforts to provide adequate education and job opportunities.

Enhancing SAARC's Operational Impact: Key Recommendations to Eradicate the Constraints

Fostering a Unified Security Vision: To address the lack of common threat perception, SAARC member states could form a separate committee to discuss shared security concerns collectively. Regular dialogue on non-traditional threats, like climate change, terrorism, and economic instability, could help align priorities. Joint exercises and training programs focused on these issues would build mutual trust and improve inter-state coordination. Emphasizing cooperative security rather than zero-sum bilateral concerns can foster a more integrated approach. Lastly, involving civilian experts and think tanks could bring fresh insights to shape a unified regional security outlook.

Building SAARC's Stability Amid Regional Power Struggles: To mitigate the impact of geopolitical tensions on SAARC, member states could establish a neutral mediation council within the organization to address inter-regional disputes objectively. Regular multilateral discussions focused solely on economic and developmental cooperation can help insulate SAARC's agenda from external influence. Encouraging smaller member states to take leadership roles in specific initiatives would promote equality and lessen the perception of dominance. Additionally, forming strategic partnerships with non-regional organizations rather than individual global powers could support balanced progress. This neutral and cooperative approach can create a more resilient platform for SAARC's objectives in peace and development.

Building a Robust Information Network: Establishing a centralized data-sharing platform would provide transparent access to essential information, such as trade regulations and market trends, helping SAARC bridge its information gap. Member states could regularly update the platform, ensuring accuracy and building trust. Implementing SAARC-specific data standards would streamline data exchange, while regular forums could address evolving needs and policy updates. This collaborative infrastructure would enhance informed decision-making, foster cohesive strategies, and maximize regional synergies.

Promoting Equal Collaboration in SAARC: SAARC could adopt equal representation and a rotating leadership structure to address disparities and ensure all members feel valued. Like regular dialogues and tailored development projects, trust-building efforts would foster cooperation. A shared development fund could support balanced growth, creating a more equitable, collaborative environment for all member states.

Strengthening Economic Unity in SAARC: To address divergent economic interests within SAARC, a collaborative framework for inclusive dialogue among member states is essential. Establishing working groups on specific financial issues can help identify shared goals and develop tailored solutions for growing and least developed countries. A regional fund to support capacity-building initiatives in LDCs would enhance their development and foster trust with more developed nations. Regular knowledge-sharing forums bridge the gap between economic realities, promoting joint ventures and partnerships. SAARC can create a more cohesive and effective regional economic strategy by prioritizing inclusivity.

Reinforcing Dedication through Shared Goals: Focusing on shared regional priorities is essential to enhancing commitment among SAARC member states. Developing a framework that outlines mutual benefits, like economic growth and security cooperation, can align national interests with SAARC objectives. Regular high-level meetings should facilitate discussions on these priorities and encourage the sharing of best practices. Additionally, a recognition system for actively contributing countries could incentivize greater participation. By fostering ownership and emphasizing the advantages of regional collaboration, SAARC can inspire member states to prioritize their commitments to the organization.

Improving SAARC's Decision-Making Framework: To boost SAARC's organizational power, restructuring its decision-making process to allow for more flexible and timely actions is essential. A majority voting system for certain decisions could expedite responses and reduce stagnation. Additionally, establishing clear priorities and action plans for regional initiatives would provide a focused direction and enhance accountability. Strengthening collaboration among member states through regular communication and joint task forces can foster a sense of shared responsibility and commitment. By adopting these measures, SAARC can present a more unified front and enhance its influence on regional dynamics.

Combating Poverty: To effectively tackle poverty in the SAARC region, a comprehensive strategy focusing on economic growth, education, and healthcare is essential. Increasing investment in rural development can create job opportunities, particularly in agriculture and small industries. Promoting access to quality education and vocational training will empower individuals with essential skills. Enhancing healthcare services is crucial for improving overall well-being and productivity. Additionally, collaborative initiatives among member states and partnerships with international organizations can strengthen efforts to combat poverty. By adopting these integrated approaches, SAARC can significantly reduce poverty and promote sustainable regional development.

Transforming Population into Human Resources: Transforming the growing population in SAARC countries into valuable human resources is vital for sustainable development. By investing in education and vocational training, governments can equip the youth with essential skills needed in the workforce, fostering innovation and productivity. Public-private partnerships can create job opportunities and facilitate internships, enabling young people to gain practical experience. Promoting entrepreneurship through support programs can also empower individuals to contribute to economic growth. By prioritizing health care and social services, member states can ensure a healthier workforce, maximizing the potential of their population. Ultimately, harnessing human resources effectively will drive economic progress and improve living standards across the SAARC region.

In Conclusion: SAARC holds significant potential to transform South Asia into a region marked by peace and development. Established to address common challenges its member states face, SAARC has made notable strides in fostering cooperation and enhancing regional ties through initiatives like the South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAFTA). However, the organization grapples with numerous obstacles, including a unified security framework, geopolitical complexities, member-state disparities, diversified economic interests, lack of organizational power, and commitment issues. Poverty and a vast population also impede its progress. For SAARC to fulfill its objectives, it must actively work to overcome these challenges by fostering a unified security vision, establishing a neutral mediation council, building a robust information network, improving organizational power, enhancing economic collaboration, promoting mutual understanding among its members, alleviating poverty, and transforming the huge population into human resources. Ultimately, SAARC's success depends on the political will of its member states to prioritize regional cooperation over nationalistic tendencies. With concerted efforts and a commitment to shared goals, SAARC has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change, paving the way for a brighter future for the people of South Asia.

Lieutenant Colonel Mahbub Ul Haque, PSC, Engineers, Bangladesh Army.