SAARC: PRESENT SCENARIO AND FURURE PROSPECTS OF REGIONAL COOPERATION

Among the physically and well defined regions, South Asia has been amongst the few that has been very
tardy in reorganising the benefits of a regional system of co-operation. Until recently South Asia saw very
little action rewards regionalism, although there has been plenty of articulation about what regional cooperation,
can achieve. The reason is simple and well known. The region is confronted with historical
animosities, territorial disputes and political diversity. They reflectively knocked out the possibility of true
regional harmony for a long time.
South Asia, today, present an immensely interesting, even if at times baffling and irritating scenario. It
presents an intriguing paradox, for it is a region of great racial diversity with innumerable cultures,
languages, and regions. Yet, as a region it has distinctive and unmistakable identity. SAARC represents
more than one-fifth of humanity and have common problems of hunger, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and
underdevelopment. SAARC countries share common history, strong cultural links and significant economic
ties.