DefinePK

Abstract

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has not been emerged as an effective regional organization such as the EU and ASEAN. Despite taking several initiatives in this regard, it has not achieved the desired objectives set for at the time of its establishment. Over the thirty years it has become hostage chiefly by the Pakistan-India antagonistic relationship. On the basis of interviews of the Key Informant (KIs) this article investigates the causes for the lack of momentum of SAARC and explores the prospects for SAARC as vibrant economic group of the South Asian nations. Furthermore, the study finds that lack of implementation of SAARC declarations, conflicting issues between India and other neighbouring countries and strict SAARC visa regime are important barriers in enhancement of regional co-operation in South Asia. The article recommends that SAARC countries may enhance regional cooperation by managing bilateral conflicts particularly between Pakistan-India. The article also discovers that bilateral economic co-operation between Pakistan and India has spillover effect on the enhancement of regional economic cooperation in South Asia